Worship with us At Home
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Apostles' Creed
(The Apostles' Creed is a summary statement of belief about what we as Christians believe to be true about our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen.
Confession
God's Word says: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)
(Take a moment to silently reflect on the fact that you have not always been truthful God and abided by his Word. Then confess...)
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We 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 justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Rejoice! In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Amen.
Reading -- Isaiah 9:1-4
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
Reading -- Matthew 4: 12-25
12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Sermon - "The Light" (Pulling Back the Curtain, Week 3)
Song - "Chain Breaker"
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world, and You see us clearly—nothing hidden, nothing ignored, nothing beyond Your care. We confess that there are places in our lives where darkness has become familiar. Places where we avoid hard conversations, hold onto sin or resentment, or settle for what is “manageable” instead of trusting You for healing and change. Shine Your light on us—not to shame us, but to restore us.
Give us courage to be honest with You and with one another. Give us humility to repent, grace to forgive, and patience to grow. When Your truth feels uncomfortable, remind us that Your light heals what it reveals. Be the light in our home and in our relationships. Guide our words, shape our actions, and draw us closer to You and to each other.
(Take a moment to name people, situations, or places where God’s light, help, and hope are needed. Maybe just their names and not the full situation).
We lift these prayers to You, trusting that You meet us right where we are. Thank You for going to the cross and the empty tomb for us, for defeating darkness once and for all. Lead us this week to walk in Your light, to live in Your grace, and to rest in Your mercy. We pray all this in Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.
Give us courage to be honest with You and with one another. Give us humility to repent, grace to forgive, and patience to grow. When Your truth feels uncomfortable, remind us that Your light heals what it reveals. Be the light in our home and in our relationships. Guide our words, shape our actions, and draw us closer to You and to each other.
(Take a moment to name people, situations, or places where God’s light, help, and hope are needed. Maybe just their names and not the full situation).
We lift these prayers to You, trusting that You meet us right where we are. Thank You for going to the cross and the empty tomb for us, for defeating darkness once and for all. Lead us this week to walk in Your light, to live in Your grace, and to rest in Your mercy. We pray all this in Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.
Discussion Questions
1. Where might darkness have slowly become “normal” in our lives—something we’ve learned to live with instead of bringing into the light?
2. Why do you think the light of Jesus can feel uncomfortable at first, even though it’s meant to heal and help us?
3. What is one small way we can help each other walk in the light this week—at home, at school, or at work?
Hymn - "O Christ Who Called the Twelve"
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