The fourth sunday after epiphany
AN ORDER OF SERVICE FOR USE AT HOME
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
February 1, 2026
THE WORD OF GOD
Opening Hymn: O Worship the King #388
The Opening Acclamation
Presider: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect for Purity BCP p. 355
The Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Reading Micah 6:1-8
Hear what the Lord says: “Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.” “O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.” “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 15
1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle?
who may abide upon your holy hill?
2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right,
who speaks the truth from his heart.
3 There is no guile upon his tongue;
he does no evil to his friend;
he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
4 In his sight the wicked is rejected,
but he honors those who fear the Lord.
5 He has sworn to do no wrong
and does not take back his word.
6 He does not give his money in hope of gain,
nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
7 Whoever does these things
shall never be overthrown.
The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Jesus, Lover of My Soul #699
The Holy Gospel Matthew 5:1-12
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Reader: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Nicene Creed BCP p. 358
The Prayers of the People
As God’s beloved children, let us pray that the light of Christ shine on the nations, the church, and all those in need.
That the church may proclaim Christ crucified and announce your blessing on the poor in spirit, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
That government and civic leaders turn from self-interest and seek justice, kindness, and humility. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
That we treat the earth with reverence, honor its diverse nations and peoples, and share of its bountiful resources. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
That you comfort those who face anxiety or illness; Christians being persecuted for their faith; the people of Ukraine; victims of shootings; and for Becky, Cathy, Chuck, Craig, Gordon, Helena, Jeanne, Judy, Lori, Louise, Lyndon, Miriam, Ray, Robert, Zach, and others? (pause). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
That you rekindle our faith, that we may extend mercy to others and be makers of peace in our communities, families, and workplaces. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
In thanksgiving for all who have died in the faith of Christ and now rejoice in heaven. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Receive our prayers and hopes, God of mercy and justice, for we ask in the name of Christ, the light of the world.
Amen.
The Confession of Sin
Most merciful God,
we confess that have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Prayer for Spiritual Communion When We Cannot Receive the Sacrament
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people
at every altar of your Church
where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated:
I desire to offer you praise and thanksgiving.
I remember your death, Lord Christ,
I proclaim your resurrection,
and I await your coming in glory.
and since I cannot receive you today
in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood,
I ask you to come into my heart.
Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus,
and let me never be separated from you.
May I live in you, and you in me,
in this life, and in the life to come. Amen.
Closing Hymn Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart #556 v. 1-5
The Blessing
May the peace of God, that passes all understanding
keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
And may the blessing of God Almighty:
the Father, and the + Son, and the Holy Spirit
be with us, and remain with us always.
Amen.
The Dismissal
Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.