Sunday 25 January 2026
- General:
- Lectionary
3rd Sunday after the Epiphany
Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading
Isaiah 9: 1-4
Angel voices ever singing (StF 39)
Darkness like a shroud covers the earth (“Arise, shine, your light has come”) (StF 170)
Great is the darkness that covers the earth (StF 405)
Light of the world, you stepped into darkness (StF 175)
I heard the voice of Jesus say (StF 248)
Your hand, O God, has guided your flock, from age to age (StF 692)
Psalm 27: 1, 4-9
Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme
Lord, we turn to you for mercy (StF 429)
O Lord, we are always in your presence (StF 33)
Son of God, if your free grace (StF 336)
Stupendous height of heavenly love (StF 512)
You showed us mercy when we were in darkness (StF 488)
1 Corinthians 1: 10-18
Because the Saviour prayed that we be one (StF 675)
Christ, from whom all blessings flow (StF 676)
Come, all who look to Christ today (StF 678)
I come with joy, a child of God (StF 588)
Jesus, Lord, we look to thee, let us in thy name agree (StF 686)
Lord, we come to ask your healing, teach us of love (StF 652)
*Summoned by the God who made us rich in our diversity (StF 689)
Thou God of truth and love (StF 620)
Matthew 4: 12-23
Born in the night, Mary's child (StF 193)
Christ, whose glory fills the skies (StF 134)
Come, build the Church – not heaps of stone (StF 679)
Come, let us with our Lord arise (StF 148)
Dear Lord and Father of mankind (StF 495)
God’s spirit is in my heart (StF 404)
Lord, you have come to the seashore (StF 558)
*Summoned by the God who made us rich in our diversity (StF 689)
The Kingdom of God is justice and joy (StF 255)
Where will we find you, Lord Jesus our Master? (StF 672)
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? (StF 673)
Would I have answered when you called? (StF 674)
A prayer of thanks for God's harmony in our lives
Creator God, we acknowledge your part in composing the stories and the songs of our lives, bringing us into being, and setting before us opportunities to explore and grow into the people you made us to be.
Saviour God, we rejoice at the way in which you bring life and harmony into the stories and songs of our lives, enabling us to discover our true selves through a relationship with you, and giving us the confidence to live life to the full.
Inspiring God, we are thankful for the ability you give us to tell our stories and rehearse the songs of our lives, enabling others to grasp the wonder of how their stories and songs intertwine with yours.
May we always be looking for the new stories and the fresh songs that you have for us to inhabit and sing, as we seek to live our lives in the depths of your amazing grace. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Gill Newton, former District Chair, Sheffield District
A prayer for life everlasting in God's light - Alternative Prayer
O Christ, the Bright and Morning Star, when the night of this world is past bring us with your saints to your promised light and to that life which opens into everlasting day. Amen.
The Venerable Bede (c. 673-735)