Because of the incoming winter storm,
all services at Ascension have been cancelled
for Sunday, January 25.
January 25, 2026
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Matthew 4:20 – “Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”
Discipleship cost Peter and Andrew everything they had. They left their trade, their hometown, their families, and they followed Jesus. God has called us to the same discipleship, the same devotion, though the exact details of how that is lived out will vary.
The important thing is this: we know that all we have is the Lord’s, to be used for His purpose. We are His disciples and are ready to follow where He leads.
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Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 9:1–4; 1 Corinthians 1:10–18; Matthew 4:12–25
The Lord Manifests His Glory through His Office of the Holy Ministry
By His coming in the flesh and by His preaching and miracles, the Lord Jesus shines the light of His Gospel upon “the people who walked in darkness” and “who dwelt in a land of deep darkness” (Isaiah 9:2). He also has “multiplied the nation” and “increased its joy” (Isaiah 9:3) by calling disciples to Himself from the ends of the earth.
For this purpose, He calls Peter and Andrew, with James and John, to follow Him and be “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). As Jesus did, they also go forth “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people” (Matthew 4:23). They preach the foolishness of the cross of Christ as the very power and wisdom of God.
This word and preaching of the cross divides “those who are perishing” from “us who are being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18), but it unites the Church, the one Body of Christ, “in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Life Thoughts for the Week
Third Sunday after the Epiphany – Abortion and assisted suicide are often followed by crushing amounts of guilt and shame. While the Church rightly teaches that these are sins against God and neighbor, may we never forget that Christ has sent us to preach the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation (1 Corinthians 1:17-18).
In Christ, “there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish,” (Isaiah 9:1), for He has come in the fulfillment of His promises, bringing the Kingdom of God near to us (Matthew 4:14-17), that all who repent and believe in Him can take shelter in the Lord (Psalm 27:5).
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Lectionary Series – Sunday’s Scripture Readings © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295 800-248-1930, Ext. 1265 • worship@lcms.org • lcms.org/worship. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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