Looking into the lectionary - Little things to can carry you into 2026

Matthew 3:13-17; Isaiah 42:1-9 Baptism of the Lord January 11, 2026 Isaiah 42 is the first of the “servant” passages — referring to one who is God’s agent of justice in the world. There are expressions in this passage that are as powerful as any in all of Scripture, especially when the prophet says of the servant: “He will bring forth justice to the nations … a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.” How many times in the last year have we witnessed abuses of power — such as the grossly unjust deportation of Black or Brown-bodied people or the unconscionable targeting of the LGBTQ+ community — and felt the poignancy of images like the bruised reed or the dimly burning wick? How often have we heard our fellow church members ask, “What can I do?” Perhaps this is why theologian Kristine Culp says that vulnerability is the pivot of salvation — indeed, the point at which salvation might occur. Culp is not suggesting that vulnerability is inherently good, but rather that experiencing vulnerability can awaken within us possibilities that, if acted upon, can be salvific. Vulnerability can awaken in us what it is to be the church — the body of Christ in the world. As the body of Christ, we can serve as the pivot of salvation as agents of solidarity and justice for the most vulnerable among us. It is most intriguing to me that Matthew’s Gospel introduces readers to the adult Jesus in the wilderness. His first “scene” is not in Jerusalem or at the Temple but at the margins. This is tremendously symbolic, powerful and suggestive. Jesus stands with vulnerable people who reside in the margins. The Jordan River represented a portal experience in Israel’s history. After the exodus from Egypt and the Hebrews’ wilderness wandering, crossing the Jordan symbolized a passage to the promised land. In the first century, prophets like John baptized people in the Jordan River to reenact this passage in hopes of liberation from the Roman occupation. ... Thanks to this week's writer, Roger Gench. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for January 4, 2026? You can find them here. Order of worship — January 11, 2026 by Roger Gench What carried the Outlook through 2025 — and what can carry you into 2026 by Presbyterian Outlook  A prayer for courage and hope in the new year by Karie Charlton Our most-read opinions of 2025 by Presbyterian Outlook Why ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ may be the most Christian film of the year by Brendan McLean Born out of national division, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ is a balm for Christmas by Karen Swallow Prior IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... What Americans need to know about Palestinian liberation theology Palestinian Christians have developed one of the most important liberation theologies of our time — and most American churches have never encountered it, writes Christopher Tweel. The top Outlook book recommendations of 2025 Discover the titles that most engaged Presbyterian Outlook readers, from theology and memoir to devotionals and cultural commentary. Meet Jimmy Stewart American actor, military aviator, and Pennsylvania native James Stewart was a born-and-raised Presbyterian. — McKenna Britton Faith for turbulent times: Four new books on Scripture and spiritual formation Seeking grounding in turbulent times? These new releases on Isaiah, resilience and Presbyterian identity offer wisdom, comfort and challenge. — Amy Pagliarella Evangelism in an Age of Despair: Hope Beyond the Failed Promise of Happiness Aaron Pratt Shepherd praises Andrew Root’s "Evangelism in an Age of Despair" as a timely, theologically rich call for the church to reclaim evangelism. Decline of religion remains stalled, says new Pew report. But there’s no revival yet. For the past five years, the decline of religion in America has stalled, after years of decline. — Bob Smietana

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for December 28, 2025

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, December 28, 2025

First Reading Isaiah 63:7-9 7   I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD,           the praiseworthy acts of the LORD,      because of all that the LORD has done for us,           and the great favor to the house of Israel      that he has shown them according to his mercy,           according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 8   For he said, “Surely they are my people,           children who will not deal falsely”;      and he became their savior 9        in all their distress.      It was no messenger or angel           but his presence that saved them;      in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;           he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Psalm Psalm 148 1   Praise the Lord!      Praise the Lord from the heavens;           praise him in the heights! 2   Praise him, all his angels;           praise him, all his host! 3   Praise him, sun and moon;           praise him, all you shining stars! 4   Praise him, you highest heavens,           and you waters above the heavens! 5   Let them praise the name of the Lord,           for he commanded and they were created. 6   He established them forever and ever;           he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. 7   Praise the Lord from the earth,           you sea monsters and all deeps, 8   fire and hail, snow and frost,           stormy wind fulfilling his command! 9  Mountains and all hills,           fruit trees and all cedars! 10  Wild animals and all cattle,           creeping things and flying birds! 11  Kings of the earth and all peoples,           princes and all rulers of the earth! 12  Young men and women alike,           old and young together! 13  Let them praise the name of the Lord,           for his name alone is exalted;           his glory is above earth and heaven. 14  He has raised up a horn for his people,           praise for all his faithful,           for the people of Israel who are close to him.      Praise the Lord! Second Reading Hebrews 2:10-18 10It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12saying,      “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,           in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” 13And again,      “I will put my trust in him.” And again,      “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.” 14Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Gospel Matthew 2:13-23 13Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” 16When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18  “A voice was heard in Ramah,           wailing and loud lamentation,      Rachel weeping for her children;           she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” 19When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20“Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead.” 21Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, December 29 and Sunday, January 4, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, December 29, 2025 - That we seek out opportunities to show love to God and our neighbors.
• Tuesday, December 30, 2025 - That we remember those who died in service to their country.
• Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - That we remember the dedication shown by our teachers. 
• Thursday, January 1, 2026 - That we enter the new year with both faith and focus.
• Friday, January 2, 2026 - That our leaders have the courage and wisdom to confront the racial divisions within our country.
• Saturday, January 3, 2026 - That we enter the new year with both faith and focus.
• Sunday, January 4, 2026 - That we renew our commitment to life.

Sunday's Message - Unwrapping the Gift of Love

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message - Unwrapping the Gift of Love: As a kid, unwrapping Christmas presents is one of the highlights of the entire year. Even for adults, the mystery of what’s beneath the pape...

Looking into the lectionary - Why church choirs matter more than we realize

Ephesians 1:3-14 Second Sunday of Christmas January 4, 2026 There was a time when Presbyterians were so well known for one theological doctrine it became an intrinsic part of our personalities. If you told someone you were a Presbyterian, they would respond, “Ah, yes, so you believe in predestination.” But today many of us would scratch our heads and respond, “Predestination? Oh, well, um …” The first Sunday of 2026, might be a good time to rediscover our theology of predestination with the opening chapter of Ephesians. The apostle Paul begins with an extended thanksgiving. Usually in his letters, Paul gives thanks for specific things about the particular congregation to which he is writing. However, the thanksgiving in Ephesians (actually one long sentence in Greek spanning 11 verses) is more cosmic in scale, perhaps even incorporating a traditional Jewish prayer of blessing to talk about the eternal plan and work of God through Jesus Christ. The thanksgiving begins, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” A theology of predestination, or perhaps more precisely “election,” begins with the affirmation that God has chosen us in Christ. From Scripture’s beginning to its end, we find God choosing. God chooses to call creation into being. God chooses Noah; God chooses Abraham; God chooses Moses; God chooses Deborah; God chooses David; God chooses prophets; God chooses kings; God chooses a people; God chooses Mary. And here in Ephesians, God chooses us. Several years ago, the hit television show “This is Us” followed the Pearson family with intertwining stories from several decades of the family’s life. It began with a young couple, Jack and Rebecca, expecting triplets. Rebecca goes into labor and gives birth to two healthy babies, but unfortunately the third tragically dies. Standing by the nursery, Jack sees an African American child, born on the same day as his children, but left on the doorstep of a fire station. Jack and Rebecca adopt this baby, whom they name Randall, so they bring home three babies from the hospital after all. The stories of this family, past, present, and in between, are moving illustrations of the power of love, the struggles all families face, and the bonds which are far deeper than blood. In a later season, Randall is married to his wife Beth and they have two girls of their own. But Randall believes that they should also adopt a child and so he asks his mother about how she and Jack made the decision to adopt him. Rebecca responds in part, “I said no. But your father was so sure. I was tired and I was grieving and he just kept pushing me. He was so determined that you were meant to be. Meant to be ours. … He pushed a stranger on me, and the stranger became my child and that child became my life. He became you.” That is the doctrine of election. ... Thanks to this week's writer, Matthew A. Rich. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for December 28, 2025? You can find them here. Order of worship — January 4, 2026 by Matthew A. Rich Pittsburgh Presbyterians erase $14 million of families’ medical debts by Mark Roth A prayer for courage and hope in the new year by Karie Charlton Our most-read opinions of 2025 by Presbyterian Outlook Books for church leaders by Amy Pagliarella Why church choirs matter more than we realize by Hunter Steinitz  IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... The top Outlook book recommendations of 2025 Discover the titles that most engaged Presbyterian Outlook readers, from theology and memoir to devotionals and cultural commentary. The Bondi Beach attack confirms our fears about antisemitism. But it tells another story. Among lessons of Bondi Beach is Hanukkah's eternal lesson that there is more light to be found than we imagine. — Brad Hirschfield A blessing for the year to come Walter Canter offers a month-by-month prayer for ordinary frustrations, unexpected joys and the sacred reminders. In Chicago, Faith Leaders Reflect on Legacy Supporting Immigrants’ Rights From sanctuary efforts in the ‘80s to Trump’s latest deportation efforts, Chicago’s faith leaders lean into commitment to immigrants. — Stephen Franklin Got a startup with purpose? Apply now for the 2026 Epiphany Grant Funding, coaching, and navigating a dynamic market are all free as part of this unique opportunity. —  First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta A prayer for Advent: Because Christ has come Teri McDowell Ott invites us to rest in Christ’s tender and healing presence in a weary world. Through Jesus, nothing lies beyond redemption.