Which Empire Are You Serving?
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For January 25, 2026:
Which Empire Are You Serving
by Tom Willadsen
Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9
The first Christians in Corinth bickered about whose faith was better, based on whom they were led to faith in Christ by. Paul appealed for unity, striving to remind them that their strength and unity were rooted in Christ’s death for all of them. Perhaps he was able to appeal to their common faith and unite the Corinthians into a strong, cohesive model of faith in Christ to the wider world.
Do you think Paul could write a letter to Minneapolis?
In the Scriptures
Isaiah 9:1-4
Isaiah 9:2-7 was one of the readings for Christmas Eve. This reading includes the first verse, which echoes the setting for the Matthew reading. It also mentions only one of the three reasons to rejoice, the latter two are contained in the reading from Christmas Eve.
This passage is a stark break from what immediately precedes it, a message of doom and gloom, destruction from the King of Assyria. As Christians often do, we cherry pick the bits of the prophets that point to peace, tranquility, and prosperity, giving little attention to the judgment for neglecting the vulnerable, which was the foundation for much of Hebrew prophesy.
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
The reading begins with light,and a light motif appears in the gospel reading today. (Sorry about that one.) At the end of the first verse are two rhetorical questions, rhyming in meaning rather than sound, in good Hebrew poetry style: “Whom shall I fear,” and “Of whom shall I be afraid?” and the rhetorical answer is “Absolutely nothing!”
The mention in verse 4 of “living in the house of the Lord” alludes to one seeking refuge while being a fugitive. The security comes at a time of peril, not some eternal afterlife. The next verse mentions three different kinds of shelter: a shelter, or sort of a lean-to as people used in observing the Jewish holiday Succoth or Booths, a tent, and a rock. Again, the repetition is a sign of Hebrew poetic style. The reading ends with a plea to the Lord for protection and an expression of confidence that the Lord can be trusted to provide that protection.
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
The Corinthians are divided, and Paul needs to write them a letter to get to work and play well together. Does this sound familiar in your franchise location of the church of Jesus Christ?
The Greek term ἔριδες rendered into English in the NRSV as “quarrels” indicates a dispute we might think of as “bickering.” The Corinthians are not divided by profound, theological differences, but by a sort of petty one-ups-manship, as though one’s faith in Christ is superior to another’s because of who brought the gospel to the particular believer. It’s the sort of thing one sees among the fan bases of professional sports teams. “Because I’ve rooted for my team longer than you, and have more knowledge of its history, I’m a better fan.”
Matthew 4:12-23
This is a busy passage. Jesus moves from Judea to Nazareth, then to Capernaum. He begins his ministry, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Then he calls his first four followers.
It isn’t clear why Jesus left Judea for Galilee when John the Baptizer was arrested. He may have feared for his own safety. He may have wanted to distance his repentance movement from John’s.
As is often the case when reading the Bible, we do not pay attention to where the events are taking place. Judea, Galilee, Nazareth, Capernaum, Samaria, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, are all “Jesus places” in most of our heads, and their significance as places, and the distance between them, we simply gloss over as we read the stories. Nazareth, the place where Matthew has Jesus grow up, to fulfill the prophesy “He will be called a Nazorean,” (Matthew 2:23) is about 20 miles as the crow flies from Capernaum. Capernaum is on the Sea of Galilee, which explains why there are fishermen there, the first disciples Jesus calls in Matthew’s gospel.
Matthew’s penchant for fulfilling prophetic scripture is again on display; he refers to today’s lesson from Isaiah. Zebulun and Naphtali were cities along the trade route between Assyria and the Mediterranean Sea. “Galilee of the Gentiles” could be rendered “Galilee of the Nations,” it was a truly cosmopolitan place. By Jesus’ time it was majority Jewish.
“Fishers of people” is a colorful, evocative metaphor for the task of a follower of Christ. We’re much more likely to think of ourselves as shepherds/pastors, which is unfortunate, though the prospect of sharing the gospel as an analog to reeling in a small mouth bass is problematic.
In the News
Demonstrations following the killing of Renee Good by ICE agents on January 7th have shown the deep divisions in the United States. While demonstrators have taken to the streets in frigid Minnesota, and state and local officials have called the deployment of ICE agents in numbers that exceed local law enforcement personnel an act of provocation, it has been reported that a GoFundMe account for Jonathon Ross (Good’s killer) has received more than $300,000, presumably to pay for his criminal defense. GoFundMe funds have also been received to support Renee Good’s widow and family.
Words matter. Some contend that Ross acted in self-defense. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called that assertion “garbage.”
In the Sermon
Light shines in the darkness. The prophet Isaiah promises it; Matthew reminds us of it. We’ve passed the winter solstice, there’s more daylight everyday in the Northern Hemisphere, but these are dark days indeed for the United States. Federal forces are flooding into some of our cities, “the rule of law” is evoked to justify all manner of lawlessness perpetrated by “civil” authorities. The courts, the supposed guard rail against federal overreach, are ignored, disparaged, and vilified. The President is praised, lauded as “just like us” for vulgar words and gestures that would have been unacceptable and humiliating a few short years ago.
American Christians, like Christians in every nation, are always dual citizens, resident aliens as the title of the book by Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon reminds us. The New Testament book Hebrews also reminds Christians of the contrast between our earthly citizenship and our eternal citizenship. Friends, we are nearing a crisis point. It is becoming increasingly likely that mainline, American Protestants, the Frozen Chosen some call us, will have to choose between being docile citizens of the United States and living followers of Jesus Christ. Personal sacrifice and hardship are very real possibilities. Protesters in Minneapolis are enduring more than frigid temperatures as they raise their voices against lethal and lawless activity of federal forces sworn to protect and defend them/us.
“Sometimes being a good Christian meant being a bad Roman. So, before you accuse people of being unpatriotic, ask yourself which empire they’re serving.” — Stephen Mattson
SECOND THOUGHTS
Can We Learn From Our Divisions?
by Nazish Naseem
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Once upon a time, a woodcutter struggled to manage his seven unruly sons. When illness struck, he decided to give each boy a stick to break — something they could easily do on their own. However, when they attempted to break a bundle of sticks together, they found that they were powerless to do so. This story conveys a timeless lesson about the strength found in unity, echoing the powerful message in 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, which emphasizes how togetherness can overcome division. Will the boys learn that staying united can protect them from harm?
In 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, the apostle Paul addresses the divisions that had emerged among the Corinthian Christians. He highlights the critical importance of unity and agreement, urging the believers to transcend their disagreements and refocus on the core message of the Gospel. While personal allegiances and social status can create rifts, Paul encourages the community to rise above these differences and recognize their shared identity in Christ, fostering a sense of belonging and collective purpose.
This perspective fosters love and unity and shows that unity does not mean sacrificing individual identities; instead, it calls for aligning them under Christ’s greater purpose. The message of unity resonates strongly in today’s news cycle, which often emphasizes differences — be it political conflicts, social justice debates, or widening economic divides. The recent assassination of Ms. Good in Minnesota by ICE has not only sparked anger but has also instilled a sense of fear concerning justice in our society. In stark contrast, our president has expressed satisfaction with Venezuela’s Machado, who recently presented him with her Nobel Peace prize.
In this context, where do we find messages of unity? Can we draw inspiration from religious texts across faith traditions, ethical or social approaches, or the spirituality of nature? Reflecting on my childhood, I recall a story about discipline and unity found in the behavior of birds. If you take a moment to observe the birds flying together in the sky, it is clear how they exemplify unity. For instance, Canadian geese traditionally migrate south to the southern United States and Mexico, while snowy owls travel southward from their northern breeding grounds in search of food, reminding us of the hope and resilience found in collective effort.
Just as Paul’s letter in 1 Corinthians speaks powerfully about unity amid division, it offers relevant guidance for our current challenges, such as political polarization and social justice debates. Reflecting on these scriptures helps us see how biblical principles can inspire solutions today, emphasizing our shared humanity and the importance of unity in overcoming societal divides.
The question we must ask ourselves is: how can we apply Paul’s call for unity to address contemporary social conflicts and strengthen our communities? This message resonates profoundly in our modern world. Like the Corinthians, many communities grapple with divisions — ideological, social, or cultural. Paul’s urgent appeal for unity challenges us to look beyond our differences and discover common ground in shared values and beliefs.
The essential takeaway from 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 is Paul’s fervent plea for unity among the believers in Corinth. He identifies the factions and loyalties forming among followers of various leaders, arguing that the church’s focus should be on Jesus Christ rather than on individual personalities. This shared faith and mission strengthen the community’s resolve and highlight the significance of unity in overcoming discord.
The woodcutter’s sons kept this vital lesson close to their hearts. Are we capable of learning from our divisions?
ILLUSTRATIONS
From team member Mary Austin:
Matthew 4:12-23
Calling
Author Barbara Brown Taylor says she was once desperate to discover her path in life. She prayed and God’s answer was clear — and also not helpful. “Then one night when my whole heart was open to hearing from God what I was supposed to do with my life, God said, “Anything that pleases you.” “What?” I said, resorting to words again. “What kind of an answer is that?” “Do anything that pleases you,” the voice in my head said again, “and belong to me.””
She adds:
At one level, that answer was no help at all. The ball was back in my court again, where God had left me all kinds of room to lob it wherever I wanted. I could be a priest or a circus worker. God really did not care. At another level, I was so relieved that I sledded down the stairs that night. Whatever I decided to do for a living, it was not what I did but how I did it that mattered. God had suggested an overall purpose, but was not going to supply the particulars for me. If I wanted a life of meaning, then I was going to have to apply the purpose for myself. Whatever I decided to do for a living, it was not what I did but how I did it that mattered.
As Jesus calls his disciples, do they follow him because it pleases them?
* * *
Matthew 4:12-23
Location, Location, Location
Here, Jesus uses place names to convey an important message. Cole Arthur Riley says that location is important to her faith, too. She writes:
If asked to choose, I want a God who is someplace. Not just in “the heart,” but God standing on Fifth and Lothrop — God beyond the glass. I don’t just want to be rescued; I want to be taken someplace safe and good. I think of Abraham’s descendants leaving the promised land and being forced into bondage. God didn’t raise up Moses just to free them from Pharaoh. They were liberated to somewhere. They left their chains and began making their way back home.
As a Black American, there’s another layer for her.
I do not know from where my ancestors were abducted. I cannot tell you what the air smells like there. I don’t know what sound the waves and soil speak. These things were stolen from me as they were from them. I think it is one of the deepest evils to become a thief of place, to make someone a stranger to their home, and then mark their relationship to the land by bondage instead of love. (from This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories That Make Us)
Important places matter in our faith, as Jesus reminds us here.
* * *
1 Corinthians 10:10-18
Fake Unity
Writing to the people in Corinth, Paul urges them toward greater unity. “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose.”
Melissa Florer-Bixler recalls:
Early in my pastorate, I served churches that participated in a communion service on Election day. At noon, after going to the polling station to vote, we would gather to share the Lord’s Supper. The organization that promoted this service encouraged churches to embrace our unity in Jesus. No matter whom we supported in the voting booth, we left behind political identities at the door of the church. Here before the table of Christ, we were one and Jesus was Lord.
This sounds like what Paul is commending, and yet there was a layer of falseness. She adds:
What I couldn’t see at the time, what I learned after sustained formation in the work of anti-oppression, was that these churches — primarily upper-middle class and white — would thrive no matter who was elected to national office. At the end of the day we were largely unaffected by the outcome. This was not the case for others for whom “politics” would determine the quality of their children’s schools; their community’s access to food, transportation, clean water, and jobs; and whether they would gain citizenship, earn a living wage, or receive health care. What kind of unity did we have if we were not united around their welfare, if we did not see their thriving as our own thriving? It turns out this kind of unity — the kind that was achieved in ritual but not replicated in life — was a myth. We keep these myths alive because they offer the convenience of personal transformation over the difficult and costly work of excavating the deep roots that feed conflicts between enemies. (from How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger and the Work of Peace)
Surely Paul is inviting us into something deeper than this.
* * *
Psalm 27:1, 4-9 and Isaiah 9:1-4
Light
In these dark winter days here in the Northern Hemisphere, the words of the prophet Isaiah are especially welcome. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.” The psalmist promises light, too. “The LORD is my light and my salvation.” I know they mean that the light comes to us collectively, and yet I’ll take any light I can get at this time of year.
Katherine May writes about ways to keep the light present in our lives in these gloomy days. She suggests:
* * * * * *
From team member Dean Feldmeyer:
Matthew 4:12-23 — Jesus begins his ministry by calling those who will be his followers.
The Need For Followers
Physician, medical missionary, and author S.I. McMillen, in his book None of These Diseases, tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, “Are you a leader?” Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, “No,” and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: “Dear _____: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower.”
Will Rogers said: “We can't all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.”
* * *
The Art Of Following
The role of the “sidekick” is an important and essential one in literature. Sidekicks matter far more than their “secondary” status suggests.
1. They reveal the hero’s true character — A protagonist alone can seem opaque. But put them next to a companion, and suddenly their virtues, flaws, fears, and hopes become visible: Dr. Watson provides insight into the brilliance of Sherlock Holmes. Sancho Panza’s common loyalty shows the tragic nature of Don Quixote’s idealism.
2. They embody loyalty, friendship, and moral contrast: Samwise Gamgee shows that Frodo’s quest is not just about destroying a ring — it’s about the power of steadfast love. Dr. Watson shows that Holmes’s cold logic still needs human warmth.
3. They give the main character someone to talk to and the discussion often explains things for the reader.
* * *
Famous Sidekick / Followers or Disciples?
Here are some famous sidekicks from literature. What is the difference between a sidekick, a follower, and a disciple? How would you rate these characters? Can you think of others?
Tonto follows the Lone Ranger.
Hermione Granger follows Harry Potter.
Piglet follows Winnie the Pooh.
Chewbacca follows Han Solo.
Donkey follows Shreck.
Bernardo follows Zorro.
Dr. Watson follows Sherlock Holmes.
Samwise Gamgee follows Frodo.
* * *
Matthew 4:12-23 and Isaiah 9:1-4 — Both of these passages mention places known as Zebulun and Naphtali. Why are these places important? Why is it helpful for students of the Bible to know such things?
The Problem of Geographical Ignorance
In the USA, a survey of the University of Miami, 30% of the students could not locate the Pacific Ocean on a world map. A recent survey of 5,000 high school students in eight major cities in the USA revealed 25% of the students in Dallas could not name the country that borders the USA on the south, 50% of the students of Hartford, Connecticut, were unable to name three countries in Africa, and 45% of those in Baltimore could not shade in the area representing the USA on a map. (The Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential)
* * * * * *
From team member Chris Keating:
Isaiah 9:1-4
Life in the dark
Isaiah speaks words of hope to people encased by fear and traumatized by anguish. They are words that resonate with many in these early days of 2026 — including immigrants or Americans worried about the administration’s pursuit of violence. Isaiah’s words speak not only to those facing extinction from Assyria, but also to millions contending with winter storms as well as those facing even chillier brutality from the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement activities. Earlier in January, thousands of ICE agents landed in Minneapolis, MN and elsewhere. Following the fatal shooting of Renee Good on January 7th, protestors across the country have been pushing back against the government’s claim that Good attacked an ICE agent.
We certainly understand what it means to walk in darkness. In such a world, writes David DeSteno, hope can seem to be in short supply. “This lack of hope is ominous,” DeStano wrote in a January 1 Op-Ed for The New York Times. “Hope drives us to improve our lives and the world around us. When it’s extinguished, despair and paralysis fill the gap, making progress even less likely.”
DeStano suggests that part of the issue may be our way of defining hope. Instead of viewing hope as an aspirational goal, DeStano suggests culture might consider the sort of hope practiced by countless spiritual traditions. “Hope,” he writes “is a virtue to be practiced, not an aspiration to be managed.” DeStano points people to a robust engagement with faith similar to Isaiah’s declaration:
Religion at its best, as Rabbi Angela Buchdahl once told me, serves as a constant reminder that life is not about any one of us. We’re all part of something bigger. The same is true for hope. Freeing hope from our egos frees us from despair. To hope is to do good without expectation that we can make it so. It is to resist the darkness daily, whatever may come.
* * *
Isaiah 9:1-4
Avoiding “full solar spirituality”
As is fitting for Epipahany, themes of light dominate the lectionary texts this week. But Barbara Brown Taylor wisely remarks that we might consider what it means to dwell in darkness before rushing quickly into daylight. Too often, she wrote in her book Learning to Walk in the Darkness, we use darkness as shorthand for anything that scares us. She points out that the church has had its hand in shaping this idea by promoting darkness as a synonym for sin. As a result, Taylor says some churches begin practicing “full solar spirituality,” by denying the existence of darkness or “at least depriving it of any meaningful attention.” She says:
You can usually recognize a full solar church by its emphasis on the benefits of faith, which include a sure sense of God’s presence, certainty of belief, divine guidance in all things, and reliable answers to prayer. Members strive to be positive in attitude, firm in conviction, helpful in relationship, and unwavering in faith. This sounds like heaven on earth. Who would not like to dwell in God’s light 24/7?
Yet such spirituality would sound foreign to those who had born the yoke of their oppressor (Isaiah 9:4) or who had sat in darkness for a great while. The test of faith is not denying darkness, but in trusting in the hope that shines a flashlight beam on our paths. (You can read an excerpt of Taylor’s book in this Time magazine article from 2014.)
* * *
Isaiah 9:1-4
Brighten the future
Puerto Ricans have lived with a failing electrical power grid for years. Much of the US territory has not yet rebounded from Hurricane Maria’s devastation in 2017. An effort to privatize the power grid following Maria has been a colossal failure, with frequent power outages, system failures, and near-daily blackouts. These are outages that are not merely inconveniences, writes Gabriel Cartagena, but are “symptoms of deeply entrenched systemic failures that jeopardize the physical and mental health of Puerto Ricans.” Yet the US has failed to support the effort to provide a brighter future for its citizens in Puerto Rico. Cartagena notes that hope emerges in the resiliency he sees in his family and other dedicated Puerto Ricans who “have already made significant strides in the stabilization of Puerto Rico through collaboration, ingenuity and resilience. But the spirit of the Puerto Rican people alone cannot withstand an unreliable energy. Eliminating blackouts will do more than keep the lights on; it will flip the switch on Puerto Rico’s cycle of suffering.”
* * *
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
Of whom shall I be afraid?
Gil Rendle, a former executive with the Texas Methodist Foundation, Alban Institute consultant, and author, describes the sort of quiet courage congregations need to take steps in darkness. In his book Quietly Courageous, Rendle shares a story of a young boy living on a farm who had been instructed to go out in the dark of night to see if the barn door had been closed and locked.
The young boy left through the kitchen door and returned in less than a minute. When asked what was wrong, the boy replied that is was too dark to see where the barn was and he was afraid to walk out where he could not see. His mother handed him a flashlight and told him to try again. But once again he returned in less than a minute, explaining that the flashlight was too weak and he still couldn’t see the barn. ‘You don’t need to see the barn,’ responded his mother. ‘Just walk to the end of the light.’ The insight of the story is that by walking to the end of the light, more of the path ahead is exposed. (Gil Rendle, Quietly Courageous, p. 239)
Such was the sort of trust expressed by the psalmist: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?”
* * *
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Darkness of disunity
Paul pleads with the Corinthians to abandon the divisions that have erupted within their church. He speaks not a word of power with great wisdom, but a down-to earth message many disregard: “that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you.”
Such words sound impossible today. Yet Paul’s reminder of the power of living into our the promises of our baptism provide wise counsel for churches willing to take those next faithful steps of discipleship.
* * * * * *
WORSHIP
by George Reed
Call to Worship
One: The LORD is our light and our salvation.
All: The LORD is the stronghold of our life.
One: God will shelter us in the days of trouble.
All: God will set us high on a rock of refuge.
One: Hear us, O God! Be gracious to us and answer us.
All: You who have been our help, come and save us.
OR
One: God calls one and all into the presence of the divine.
All: We come in humility to offer our worship and praise.
One: God calls us together with all of humanity.
All: We will welcome all here and where ever we are.
One: God asks us to care for earth as God’s home.
All: We will care for God’s creation and God’s children.
Hymns and Songs
From All That Dwell Below the Skies
UMH: 101
H82: 380
PH: 229
GTG: 327
NCH: 27
CH: 49
LBW: 550
AMEC: 69
STLT: 381
Sweet, Sweet Spirit
UMH: 334
AAHH: 326
NNBH: 127
NCH: 293
CH: 261
W&P: 134
AMEC: 196
When in Our Music God Is Glorified
UMH: 68
H82: 420
PH: 264
GTG: 641
AAHH: 112
NCH: 561
CH: 7
LBW: 555
ELW: 850/851
W&P: 7
STLT: 36
Renew: 62
Pues Si Vivimos (When We Are Living)
UMH: 356
PH: 400
GTG: 822
NCH: 499
CH: 536
ELW: 639
W&P: 415:
The Gift of Love
UMH: 408
GTG: 693
AAHH: 522
CH: 526
W&P: 397
Renew: 155
Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
UMH: 427
H82: 609
PH: 408
GTG: 343
NCH: 543
CH: 665
LBW: 429
ELW: 719
W&P: 591
AMEC: 561
For the Healing of the Nations
UMH: 428
GTG: 346
NCH: 576
CH: 668
W&P: 621
This Is My Song
UMH: 437
GTG: 340
NCH: 591
CH: 722
ELW: 887
STLT: 159
Let There Be Light
UMH: 440
NNBH: 450
NCH: 589
STLT: 142
Be Thou My Vision
UMH: 451
H82: 488
PH: 339
GTG: 450
NCH: 451
CH: 595
ELW: 793
W&P: 502
AMEC: 281
STLT: 20
Renew: 151
Unity
CCB: 59
They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love
CCB: 78
Music Resources Key
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982
PH: Presbyterian Hymnal
GTG: Glory to God, The Presbyterian Hymnal
AAHH: African American Heritage Hymnal
NNBH: The New National Baptist Hymnal
NCH: The New Century Hymnal
CH: Chalice Hymnal
LBW: Lutheran Book of Worship
ELW: Evangelical Lutheran Worship
W&P: Worship & Praise
AMEC: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal
STLT: Singing the Living Tradition
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship
Prayer for the Day/Collect
O God who made the earth and its people to be one:
Grant us the wisdom to live in harmony with one another
and to remember the earth belongs to you;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
We praise you, O God, because you are one who created this world and its people to be one. We are all your children and this earth belongs to you. Help us to live in harmony with others and to remember you hold the deed to all creation. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
One: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins and especially the ways we try to divide God’s creation into factions.
All: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You created us in your image and likeness and we know that you are perfect unity in diversity but we do live that way. We separate the land drawing lines so we can say, “This is mine.” We find all sorts of ways to divide people into different groups using color, language, national origin, political affiliation, clothing, and many more. Even in your Church we are divided and divisive. Forgive our foolishness. Open our eyes to see you clearly so that we may understand ourselves better. Renew your Spirit within us and make us whole, as individuals and a humanity. Amen.
One: God sees the divine image within us even when we do not express it. God loves us and forgives and empowers us to grow into God’s likeness.
Prayers of the People
Holy and blessed are you, O God of creation. You are the one who out of your perfect unity and love created us to expand your love. All creation reflects your glory.
(The following paragraph may be used if a separate prayer of confession has not been used.)
We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You created us in your image and likeness and we know that you are perfect unity in diversity but we do live that way. We separate the land drawing lines so we can say, “This is mine.” We find all sorts of ways to divide people into different groups using color, language, national origin, political affiliation, clothing, and many more. Even in your Church we are divided and divisive. Forgive our foolishness. Open our eyes to see you clearly so that we may understand ourselves better. Renew your Spirit within us and make us whole, as individuals and a humanity.
We give you thanks for all the ways in which you bring your people together. We thank you for the story of creation which reminds us we are made to be like you. We thank you for the ways you called us to welcome and treat well the stranger and the wayfarer. We thank you most of all for Jesus who taught us to love everyone, even our enemies.
(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)
We pray for your creation which seems so broken. We have polluted your land, water, and air. We have polluted the relationships with others which you intended to be signs of your wholeness. We pray for those who suffer because of our failure to live as your children together.
(Other intercessions may be offered.)
Hear us as we pray for others: (Time for silent or spoken prayer.)
All these things we ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father....Amen.
(Or if the Our Father is not used at this point in the service.)
All this we ask in the name of the blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Immediate Word, January 25, 2026 issue.
Copyright 2026 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to The Immediate Word service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons and in worship and classroom settings only. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
- Which Empire Are You Serving by Tom Willadsen based on Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9.
- Second Thoughts: Can We Learn From Our Divisions? by Nazish Naseem based on 1 Corinthians 1:10-18.
- Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, and Chris Keating.
- Worship resources by George Reed.
- Children’s Sermon by Katy Stenta.
Which Empire Are You Servingby Tom Willadsen
Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9
The first Christians in Corinth bickered about whose faith was better, based on whom they were led to faith in Christ by. Paul appealed for unity, striving to remind them that their strength and unity were rooted in Christ’s death for all of them. Perhaps he was able to appeal to their common faith and unite the Corinthians into a strong, cohesive model of faith in Christ to the wider world.
Do you think Paul could write a letter to Minneapolis?
In the Scriptures
Isaiah 9:1-4
Isaiah 9:2-7 was one of the readings for Christmas Eve. This reading includes the first verse, which echoes the setting for the Matthew reading. It also mentions only one of the three reasons to rejoice, the latter two are contained in the reading from Christmas Eve.
This passage is a stark break from what immediately precedes it, a message of doom and gloom, destruction from the King of Assyria. As Christians often do, we cherry pick the bits of the prophets that point to peace, tranquility, and prosperity, giving little attention to the judgment for neglecting the vulnerable, which was the foundation for much of Hebrew prophesy.
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
The reading begins with light,and a light motif appears in the gospel reading today. (Sorry about that one.) At the end of the first verse are two rhetorical questions, rhyming in meaning rather than sound, in good Hebrew poetry style: “Whom shall I fear,” and “Of whom shall I be afraid?” and the rhetorical answer is “Absolutely nothing!”
The mention in verse 4 of “living in the house of the Lord” alludes to one seeking refuge while being a fugitive. The security comes at a time of peril, not some eternal afterlife. The next verse mentions three different kinds of shelter: a shelter, or sort of a lean-to as people used in observing the Jewish holiday Succoth or Booths, a tent, and a rock. Again, the repetition is a sign of Hebrew poetic style. The reading ends with a plea to the Lord for protection and an expression of confidence that the Lord can be trusted to provide that protection.
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
The Corinthians are divided, and Paul needs to write them a letter to get to work and play well together. Does this sound familiar in your franchise location of the church of Jesus Christ?
The Greek term ἔριδες rendered into English in the NRSV as “quarrels” indicates a dispute we might think of as “bickering.” The Corinthians are not divided by profound, theological differences, but by a sort of petty one-ups-manship, as though one’s faith in Christ is superior to another’s because of who brought the gospel to the particular believer. It’s the sort of thing one sees among the fan bases of professional sports teams. “Because I’ve rooted for my team longer than you, and have more knowledge of its history, I’m a better fan.”
Matthew 4:12-23
This is a busy passage. Jesus moves from Judea to Nazareth, then to Capernaum. He begins his ministry, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Then he calls his first four followers.
It isn’t clear why Jesus left Judea for Galilee when John the Baptizer was arrested. He may have feared for his own safety. He may have wanted to distance his repentance movement from John’s.
As is often the case when reading the Bible, we do not pay attention to where the events are taking place. Judea, Galilee, Nazareth, Capernaum, Samaria, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, are all “Jesus places” in most of our heads, and their significance as places, and the distance between them, we simply gloss over as we read the stories. Nazareth, the place where Matthew has Jesus grow up, to fulfill the prophesy “He will be called a Nazorean,” (Matthew 2:23) is about 20 miles as the crow flies from Capernaum. Capernaum is on the Sea of Galilee, which explains why there are fishermen there, the first disciples Jesus calls in Matthew’s gospel.
Matthew’s penchant for fulfilling prophetic scripture is again on display; he refers to today’s lesson from Isaiah. Zebulun and Naphtali were cities along the trade route between Assyria and the Mediterranean Sea. “Galilee of the Gentiles” could be rendered “Galilee of the Nations,” it was a truly cosmopolitan place. By Jesus’ time it was majority Jewish.
“Fishers of people” is a colorful, evocative metaphor for the task of a follower of Christ. We’re much more likely to think of ourselves as shepherds/pastors, which is unfortunate, though the prospect of sharing the gospel as an analog to reeling in a small mouth bass is problematic.
In the News
Demonstrations following the killing of Renee Good by ICE agents on January 7th have shown the deep divisions in the United States. While demonstrators have taken to the streets in frigid Minnesota, and state and local officials have called the deployment of ICE agents in numbers that exceed local law enforcement personnel an act of provocation, it has been reported that a GoFundMe account for Jonathon Ross (Good’s killer) has received more than $300,000, presumably to pay for his criminal defense. GoFundMe funds have also been received to support Renee Good’s widow and family.
Words matter. Some contend that Ross acted in self-defense. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called that assertion “garbage.”
In the Sermon
Light shines in the darkness. The prophet Isaiah promises it; Matthew reminds us of it. We’ve passed the winter solstice, there’s more daylight everyday in the Northern Hemisphere, but these are dark days indeed for the United States. Federal forces are flooding into some of our cities, “the rule of law” is evoked to justify all manner of lawlessness perpetrated by “civil” authorities. The courts, the supposed guard rail against federal overreach, are ignored, disparaged, and vilified. The President is praised, lauded as “just like us” for vulgar words and gestures that would have been unacceptable and humiliating a few short years ago.
American Christians, like Christians in every nation, are always dual citizens, resident aliens as the title of the book by Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon reminds us. The New Testament book Hebrews also reminds Christians of the contrast between our earthly citizenship and our eternal citizenship. Friends, we are nearing a crisis point. It is becoming increasingly likely that mainline, American Protestants, the Frozen Chosen some call us, will have to choose between being docile citizens of the United States and living followers of Jesus Christ. Personal sacrifice and hardship are very real possibilities. Protesters in Minneapolis are enduring more than frigid temperatures as they raise their voices against lethal and lawless activity of federal forces sworn to protect and defend them/us.
“Sometimes being a good Christian meant being a bad Roman. So, before you accuse people of being unpatriotic, ask yourself which empire they’re serving.” — Stephen Mattson
SECOND THOUGHTSCan We Learn From Our Divisions?
by Nazish Naseem
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Once upon a time, a woodcutter struggled to manage his seven unruly sons. When illness struck, he decided to give each boy a stick to break — something they could easily do on their own. However, when they attempted to break a bundle of sticks together, they found that they were powerless to do so. This story conveys a timeless lesson about the strength found in unity, echoing the powerful message in 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, which emphasizes how togetherness can overcome division. Will the boys learn that staying united can protect them from harm?
In 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, the apostle Paul addresses the divisions that had emerged among the Corinthian Christians. He highlights the critical importance of unity and agreement, urging the believers to transcend their disagreements and refocus on the core message of the Gospel. While personal allegiances and social status can create rifts, Paul encourages the community to rise above these differences and recognize their shared identity in Christ, fostering a sense of belonging and collective purpose.
This perspective fosters love and unity and shows that unity does not mean sacrificing individual identities; instead, it calls for aligning them under Christ’s greater purpose. The message of unity resonates strongly in today’s news cycle, which often emphasizes differences — be it political conflicts, social justice debates, or widening economic divides. The recent assassination of Ms. Good in Minnesota by ICE has not only sparked anger but has also instilled a sense of fear concerning justice in our society. In stark contrast, our president has expressed satisfaction with Venezuela’s Machado, who recently presented him with her Nobel Peace prize.
In this context, where do we find messages of unity? Can we draw inspiration from religious texts across faith traditions, ethical or social approaches, or the spirituality of nature? Reflecting on my childhood, I recall a story about discipline and unity found in the behavior of birds. If you take a moment to observe the birds flying together in the sky, it is clear how they exemplify unity. For instance, Canadian geese traditionally migrate south to the southern United States and Mexico, while snowy owls travel southward from their northern breeding grounds in search of food, reminding us of the hope and resilience found in collective effort.
Just as Paul’s letter in 1 Corinthians speaks powerfully about unity amid division, it offers relevant guidance for our current challenges, such as political polarization and social justice debates. Reflecting on these scriptures helps us see how biblical principles can inspire solutions today, emphasizing our shared humanity and the importance of unity in overcoming societal divides.
The question we must ask ourselves is: how can we apply Paul’s call for unity to address contemporary social conflicts and strengthen our communities? This message resonates profoundly in our modern world. Like the Corinthians, many communities grapple with divisions — ideological, social, or cultural. Paul’s urgent appeal for unity challenges us to look beyond our differences and discover common ground in shared values and beliefs.
The essential takeaway from 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 is Paul’s fervent plea for unity among the believers in Corinth. He identifies the factions and loyalties forming among followers of various leaders, arguing that the church’s focus should be on Jesus Christ rather than on individual personalities. This shared faith and mission strengthen the community’s resolve and highlight the significance of unity in overcoming discord.
The woodcutter’s sons kept this vital lesson close to their hearts. Are we capable of learning from our divisions?
ILLUSTRATIONS
From team member Mary Austin:Matthew 4:12-23
Calling
Author Barbara Brown Taylor says she was once desperate to discover her path in life. She prayed and God’s answer was clear — and also not helpful. “Then one night when my whole heart was open to hearing from God what I was supposed to do with my life, God said, “Anything that pleases you.” “What?” I said, resorting to words again. “What kind of an answer is that?” “Do anything that pleases you,” the voice in my head said again, “and belong to me.””
She adds:
At one level, that answer was no help at all. The ball was back in my court again, where God had left me all kinds of room to lob it wherever I wanted. I could be a priest or a circus worker. God really did not care. At another level, I was so relieved that I sledded down the stairs that night. Whatever I decided to do for a living, it was not what I did but how I did it that mattered. God had suggested an overall purpose, but was not going to supply the particulars for me. If I wanted a life of meaning, then I was going to have to apply the purpose for myself. Whatever I decided to do for a living, it was not what I did but how I did it that mattered.
As Jesus calls his disciples, do they follow him because it pleases them?
* * *
Matthew 4:12-23
Location, Location, Location
Here, Jesus uses place names to convey an important message. Cole Arthur Riley says that location is important to her faith, too. She writes:
If asked to choose, I want a God who is someplace. Not just in “the heart,” but God standing on Fifth and Lothrop — God beyond the glass. I don’t just want to be rescued; I want to be taken someplace safe and good. I think of Abraham’s descendants leaving the promised land and being forced into bondage. God didn’t raise up Moses just to free them from Pharaoh. They were liberated to somewhere. They left their chains and began making their way back home.
As a Black American, there’s another layer for her.
I do not know from where my ancestors were abducted. I cannot tell you what the air smells like there. I don’t know what sound the waves and soil speak. These things were stolen from me as they were from them. I think it is one of the deepest evils to become a thief of place, to make someone a stranger to their home, and then mark their relationship to the land by bondage instead of love. (from This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories That Make Us)
Important places matter in our faith, as Jesus reminds us here.
* * *
1 Corinthians 10:10-18
Fake Unity
Writing to the people in Corinth, Paul urges them toward greater unity. “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose.”
Melissa Florer-Bixler recalls:
Early in my pastorate, I served churches that participated in a communion service on Election day. At noon, after going to the polling station to vote, we would gather to share the Lord’s Supper. The organization that promoted this service encouraged churches to embrace our unity in Jesus. No matter whom we supported in the voting booth, we left behind political identities at the door of the church. Here before the table of Christ, we were one and Jesus was Lord.
This sounds like what Paul is commending, and yet there was a layer of falseness. She adds:
What I couldn’t see at the time, what I learned after sustained formation in the work of anti-oppression, was that these churches — primarily upper-middle class and white — would thrive no matter who was elected to national office. At the end of the day we were largely unaffected by the outcome. This was not the case for others for whom “politics” would determine the quality of their children’s schools; their community’s access to food, transportation, clean water, and jobs; and whether they would gain citizenship, earn a living wage, or receive health care. What kind of unity did we have if we were not united around their welfare, if we did not see their thriving as our own thriving? It turns out this kind of unity — the kind that was achieved in ritual but not replicated in life — was a myth. We keep these myths alive because they offer the convenience of personal transformation over the difficult and costly work of excavating the deep roots that feed conflicts between enemies. (from How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger and the Work of Peace)
Surely Paul is inviting us into something deeper than this.
* * *
Psalm 27:1, 4-9 and Isaiah 9:1-4
Light
In these dark winter days here in the Northern Hemisphere, the words of the prophet Isaiah are especially welcome. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.” The psalmist promises light, too. “The LORD is my light and my salvation.” I know they mean that the light comes to us collectively, and yet I’ll take any light I can get at this time of year.
Katherine May writes about ways to keep the light present in our lives in these gloomy days. She suggests:
- Make candlelight ordinary. Whenever I’ve travelled to Scandinavia, I’ve noticed that candles are used in a very distinct way. They are not treated as special or romantic, but as an everyday accessory, part of the ordinary workings of the home. In particular, candles are lit early, burning through grey mornings and dull afternoons. They do not seem to be there to illuminate anything, but instead to offer warmth and contrast to the blue winter light. It’s changed the way I use candles in my house, and I commend this to you all.
- Look for color. There’s a clue in all the hedgerows at the moment: bright red berries speckle every branch, seeming to emit their own light. Winter is no time for tasteful restraint. Bring splashes of color into your home, warm reds and yellows — and don’t wait until Christmas to bring in foliage. Here in Kent, it’s traditional to bring in hops at this time of year, and plenty of mantelpieces are currently garlanded with fresh, green hop-bines. Brightness is a good substitute for sunlight.
- Revel in apricity, meaning the warmth of the winter sun — is a wonder in itself, and not a poor substitute for ‘true’ sunbathing. On sunny winter days, I seek out direct sunlight, something I’d never do in summer. The winter sun is gentle and sparkling, capable of warming your cheeks even if the rest of you is encased in a coat, scarf, and hat. One of my favourite things to do on a blue sky winter day is to sit in my car and feel the warmth of the sun through the windscreen, closing my eyes to enjoy the golden glow through my lids. Just don’t forget your sunscreen.
- Moonlight is light too. In high summer it’s hard to ever catch the full light of the moon, as the sky darkens so late. In winter, the moon feels like a constant companion, shining through late afternoons and into the long, velvety nights. The cold months are a wonderful time to get to know the moon, and to really appreciate the extraordinary brightness she offers.
* * * * * *
From team member Dean Feldmeyer:Matthew 4:12-23 — Jesus begins his ministry by calling those who will be his followers.
The Need For Followers
Physician, medical missionary, and author S.I. McMillen, in his book None of These Diseases, tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, “Are you a leader?” Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, “No,” and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: “Dear _____: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower.”
Will Rogers said: “We can't all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.”
* * *
The Art Of Following
The role of the “sidekick” is an important and essential one in literature. Sidekicks matter far more than their “secondary” status suggests.
1. They reveal the hero’s true character — A protagonist alone can seem opaque. But put them next to a companion, and suddenly their virtues, flaws, fears, and hopes become visible: Dr. Watson provides insight into the brilliance of Sherlock Holmes. Sancho Panza’s common loyalty shows the tragic nature of Don Quixote’s idealism.
2. They embody loyalty, friendship, and moral contrast: Samwise Gamgee shows that Frodo’s quest is not just about destroying a ring — it’s about the power of steadfast love. Dr. Watson shows that Holmes’s cold logic still needs human warmth.
3. They give the main character someone to talk to and the discussion often explains things for the reader.
* * *
Famous Sidekick / Followers or Disciples?
Here are some famous sidekicks from literature. What is the difference between a sidekick, a follower, and a disciple? How would you rate these characters? Can you think of others?
Tonto follows the Lone Ranger.
Hermione Granger follows Harry Potter.
Piglet follows Winnie the Pooh.
Chewbacca follows Han Solo.
Donkey follows Shreck.
Bernardo follows Zorro.
Dr. Watson follows Sherlock Holmes.
Samwise Gamgee follows Frodo.
* * *
Matthew 4:12-23 and Isaiah 9:1-4 — Both of these passages mention places known as Zebulun and Naphtali. Why are these places important? Why is it helpful for students of the Bible to know such things?
The Problem of Geographical Ignorance
In the USA, a survey of the University of Miami, 30% of the students could not locate the Pacific Ocean on a world map. A recent survey of 5,000 high school students in eight major cities in the USA revealed 25% of the students in Dallas could not name the country that borders the USA on the south, 50% of the students of Hartford, Connecticut, were unable to name three countries in Africa, and 45% of those in Baltimore could not shade in the area representing the USA on a map. (The Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential)
* * * * * *
From team member Chris Keating:Isaiah 9:1-4
Life in the dark
Isaiah speaks words of hope to people encased by fear and traumatized by anguish. They are words that resonate with many in these early days of 2026 — including immigrants or Americans worried about the administration’s pursuit of violence. Isaiah’s words speak not only to those facing extinction from Assyria, but also to millions contending with winter storms as well as those facing even chillier brutality from the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement activities. Earlier in January, thousands of ICE agents landed in Minneapolis, MN and elsewhere. Following the fatal shooting of Renee Good on January 7th, protestors across the country have been pushing back against the government’s claim that Good attacked an ICE agent.
We certainly understand what it means to walk in darkness. In such a world, writes David DeSteno, hope can seem to be in short supply. “This lack of hope is ominous,” DeStano wrote in a January 1 Op-Ed for The New York Times. “Hope drives us to improve our lives and the world around us. When it’s extinguished, despair and paralysis fill the gap, making progress even less likely.”
DeStano suggests that part of the issue may be our way of defining hope. Instead of viewing hope as an aspirational goal, DeStano suggests culture might consider the sort of hope practiced by countless spiritual traditions. “Hope,” he writes “is a virtue to be practiced, not an aspiration to be managed.” DeStano points people to a robust engagement with faith similar to Isaiah’s declaration:
Religion at its best, as Rabbi Angela Buchdahl once told me, serves as a constant reminder that life is not about any one of us. We’re all part of something bigger. The same is true for hope. Freeing hope from our egos frees us from despair. To hope is to do good without expectation that we can make it so. It is to resist the darkness daily, whatever may come.
* * *
Isaiah 9:1-4
Avoiding “full solar spirituality”
As is fitting for Epipahany, themes of light dominate the lectionary texts this week. But Barbara Brown Taylor wisely remarks that we might consider what it means to dwell in darkness before rushing quickly into daylight. Too often, she wrote in her book Learning to Walk in the Darkness, we use darkness as shorthand for anything that scares us. She points out that the church has had its hand in shaping this idea by promoting darkness as a synonym for sin. As a result, Taylor says some churches begin practicing “full solar spirituality,” by denying the existence of darkness or “at least depriving it of any meaningful attention.” She says:
You can usually recognize a full solar church by its emphasis on the benefits of faith, which include a sure sense of God’s presence, certainty of belief, divine guidance in all things, and reliable answers to prayer. Members strive to be positive in attitude, firm in conviction, helpful in relationship, and unwavering in faith. This sounds like heaven on earth. Who would not like to dwell in God’s light 24/7?
Yet such spirituality would sound foreign to those who had born the yoke of their oppressor (Isaiah 9:4) or who had sat in darkness for a great while. The test of faith is not denying darkness, but in trusting in the hope that shines a flashlight beam on our paths. (You can read an excerpt of Taylor’s book in this Time magazine article from 2014.)
* * *
Isaiah 9:1-4
Brighten the future
Puerto Ricans have lived with a failing electrical power grid for years. Much of the US territory has not yet rebounded from Hurricane Maria’s devastation in 2017. An effort to privatize the power grid following Maria has been a colossal failure, with frequent power outages, system failures, and near-daily blackouts. These are outages that are not merely inconveniences, writes Gabriel Cartagena, but are “symptoms of deeply entrenched systemic failures that jeopardize the physical and mental health of Puerto Ricans.” Yet the US has failed to support the effort to provide a brighter future for its citizens in Puerto Rico. Cartagena notes that hope emerges in the resiliency he sees in his family and other dedicated Puerto Ricans who “have already made significant strides in the stabilization of Puerto Rico through collaboration, ingenuity and resilience. But the spirit of the Puerto Rican people alone cannot withstand an unreliable energy. Eliminating blackouts will do more than keep the lights on; it will flip the switch on Puerto Rico’s cycle of suffering.”
* * *
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
Of whom shall I be afraid?
Gil Rendle, a former executive with the Texas Methodist Foundation, Alban Institute consultant, and author, describes the sort of quiet courage congregations need to take steps in darkness. In his book Quietly Courageous, Rendle shares a story of a young boy living on a farm who had been instructed to go out in the dark of night to see if the barn door had been closed and locked.
The young boy left through the kitchen door and returned in less than a minute. When asked what was wrong, the boy replied that is was too dark to see where the barn was and he was afraid to walk out where he could not see. His mother handed him a flashlight and told him to try again. But once again he returned in less than a minute, explaining that the flashlight was too weak and he still couldn’t see the barn. ‘You don’t need to see the barn,’ responded his mother. ‘Just walk to the end of the light.’ The insight of the story is that by walking to the end of the light, more of the path ahead is exposed. (Gil Rendle, Quietly Courageous, p. 239)
Such was the sort of trust expressed by the psalmist: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?”
* * *
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Darkness of disunity
Paul pleads with the Corinthians to abandon the divisions that have erupted within their church. He speaks not a word of power with great wisdom, but a down-to earth message many disregard: “that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you.”
Such words sound impossible today. Yet Paul’s reminder of the power of living into our the promises of our baptism provide wise counsel for churches willing to take those next faithful steps of discipleship.
* * * * * *
WORSHIPby George Reed
Call to Worship
One: The LORD is our light and our salvation.
All: The LORD is the stronghold of our life.
One: God will shelter us in the days of trouble.
All: God will set us high on a rock of refuge.
One: Hear us, O God! Be gracious to us and answer us.
All: You who have been our help, come and save us.
OR
One: God calls one and all into the presence of the divine.
All: We come in humility to offer our worship and praise.
One: God calls us together with all of humanity.
All: We will welcome all here and where ever we are.
One: God asks us to care for earth as God’s home.
All: We will care for God’s creation and God’s children.
Hymns and Songs
From All That Dwell Below the Skies
UMH: 101
H82: 380
PH: 229
GTG: 327
NCH: 27
CH: 49
LBW: 550
AMEC: 69
STLT: 381
Sweet, Sweet Spirit
UMH: 334
AAHH: 326
NNBH: 127
NCH: 293
CH: 261
W&P: 134
AMEC: 196
When in Our Music God Is Glorified
UMH: 68
H82: 420
PH: 264
GTG: 641
AAHH: 112
NCH: 561
CH: 7
LBW: 555
ELW: 850/851
W&P: 7
STLT: 36
Renew: 62
Pues Si Vivimos (When We Are Living)
UMH: 356
PH: 400
GTG: 822
NCH: 499
CH: 536
ELW: 639
W&P: 415:
The Gift of Love
UMH: 408
GTG: 693
AAHH: 522
CH: 526
W&P: 397
Renew: 155
Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
UMH: 427
H82: 609
PH: 408
GTG: 343
NCH: 543
CH: 665
LBW: 429
ELW: 719
W&P: 591
AMEC: 561
For the Healing of the Nations
UMH: 428
GTG: 346
NCH: 576
CH: 668
W&P: 621
This Is My Song
UMH: 437
GTG: 340
NCH: 591
CH: 722
ELW: 887
STLT: 159
Let There Be Light
UMH: 440
NNBH: 450
NCH: 589
STLT: 142
Be Thou My Vision
UMH: 451
H82: 488
PH: 339
GTG: 450
NCH: 451
CH: 595
ELW: 793
W&P: 502
AMEC: 281
STLT: 20
Renew: 151
Unity
CCB: 59
They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love
CCB: 78
Music Resources Key
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982
PH: Presbyterian Hymnal
GTG: Glory to God, The Presbyterian Hymnal
AAHH: African American Heritage Hymnal
NNBH: The New National Baptist Hymnal
NCH: The New Century Hymnal
CH: Chalice Hymnal
LBW: Lutheran Book of Worship
ELW: Evangelical Lutheran Worship
W&P: Worship & Praise
AMEC: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal
STLT: Singing the Living Tradition
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship
Prayer for the Day/Collect
O God who made the earth and its people to be one:
Grant us the wisdom to live in harmony with one another
and to remember the earth belongs to you;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
We praise you, O God, because you are one who created this world and its people to be one. We are all your children and this earth belongs to you. Help us to live in harmony with others and to remember you hold the deed to all creation. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
One: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins and especially the ways we try to divide God’s creation into factions.
All: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You created us in your image and likeness and we know that you are perfect unity in diversity but we do live that way. We separate the land drawing lines so we can say, “This is mine.” We find all sorts of ways to divide people into different groups using color, language, national origin, political affiliation, clothing, and many more. Even in your Church we are divided and divisive. Forgive our foolishness. Open our eyes to see you clearly so that we may understand ourselves better. Renew your Spirit within us and make us whole, as individuals and a humanity. Amen.
One: God sees the divine image within us even when we do not express it. God loves us and forgives and empowers us to grow into God’s likeness.
Prayers of the People
Holy and blessed are you, O God of creation. You are the one who out of your perfect unity and love created us to expand your love. All creation reflects your glory.
(The following paragraph may be used if a separate prayer of confession has not been used.)
We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You created us in your image and likeness and we know that you are perfect unity in diversity but we do live that way. We separate the land drawing lines so we can say, “This is mine.” We find all sorts of ways to divide people into different groups using color, language, national origin, political affiliation, clothing, and many more. Even in your Church we are divided and divisive. Forgive our foolishness. Open our eyes to see you clearly so that we may understand ourselves better. Renew your Spirit within us and make us whole, as individuals and a humanity.
We give you thanks for all the ways in which you bring your people together. We thank you for the story of creation which reminds us we are made to be like you. We thank you for the ways you called us to welcome and treat well the stranger and the wayfarer. We thank you most of all for Jesus who taught us to love everyone, even our enemies.
(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)
We pray for your creation which seems so broken. We have polluted your land, water, and air. We have polluted the relationships with others which you intended to be signs of your wholeness. We pray for those who suffer because of our failure to live as your children together.
(Other intercessions may be offered.)
Hear us as we pray for others: (Time for silent or spoken prayer.)
All these things we ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father....Amen.
(Or if the Our Father is not used at this point in the service.)
All this we ask in the name of the blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Immediate Word, January 25, 2026 issue.
Copyright 2026 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to The Immediate Word service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons and in worship and classroom settings only. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
