3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Saturday, January 24, 2026
10 a.m. Worship
Prelude
Announcements
Confession & Forgiveness
Opening Song "Lord, Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary”
Greeting
Kyrie ELW p, 184
Canticle of Praise "This is the Feast"
Prayer of the Day
Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4
1 There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time [the Lord] brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make 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 lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied exultation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
10 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. 11 For it has been made clear to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel—and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 18 For 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. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Children's Message
Gospel Acclamation "Speak Lord, Your Servant is Listening"
Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17
The holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 3rd chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
13 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Hymn of the Day "Will You Come and Follow Me" ELW 798
Apostles' Creed
Prayers of Intercession
Offering & Special Music: "Let There Be Peace on Earth" Choir
Offertory Hymn: “As the Grains of Wheat” ELW 465
Offertory Prayer
Great Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Lord’s Prayer
Invitation to Communion
Communion Hymns: "They Cast Their Nets" LBW 449
"I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" ELW 815
"Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ" ELW 674
Post Communion Blessing
Prayer after Communion
Sending Hymn: “We Are Marching in the Light of God” ELW 866
Dismissal
Adapted from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #014958
Weekly Calendar
Saturday, January 24 - 10 a.m. Worship (date and time change due to inclement weather beginning later today through the weekend)
Sunday, January 25— No Worship due to inclement weather
Tuesday, January 27—10:30 a.m. Bible Study, 6:30 p.m. Card Ministry (Classroom #1)
Wednesday, January 28—1:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry (Parlor)
Thursday, January 29—6 p.m. Carillon Bell Choir, 7 p.m. Agape Bell Choir (Both in Spirit Center)
Sunday, February 1—9 a.m. Worship (Contemporary & Live streamed), 10 a.m. Sunday School (begins in Sanctuary), Coffee Fellowship (Narthex), 11 a.m. Worship (Traditional)
Announcements:
Have you joined CIC's new online photo directory yet? The directory is through a program called Church Center, which
is also an app. Follow the QR code to get started.
January Grocery Cart: During the month of January we will be filling the cart with items for the Piedmont Animal Rescue.
PAR is a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes lost and unwanted animals including dogs and cats of all breeds, as well as hamsters and rabbits in the local area. To learn more about this rescue check out
peidmontanimalrescue.com We will be focusing on collecting dry dog and puppy food (preferred brands: Purina One and Purina Pro Plan), dry cat food ( preferred brands : Iams and Purina Cat Chow), Fancy Feast wet cat food, pee pads, kitty litter and training treats. While you are shopping this month please consider picking up something to add to the CIC cart. Thank you for being a generous congregation who continues to support our neighbors in need!
Preschool Registration for 2025/2026: Tuitions for 2026/2027: $340.00 for 2-year-old classes, $310 for 3-year-old classes, $360.00
for 4-year-old & PK class and $370 for TK class. There is an $85 non refundable registration fee.
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Priority Registration Begins January, 20 for currently enrolled students, siblings and church members. Open registration is open to the public February 2, 2026. Questions? Contact Morgan Naum at preschooldirector@communityinchrist.net to learn more!
Prayer Shawl Ministry: We meet in the CIC Parlor Room on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join us for some fellowship, idea-sharing, and fun! Questions? Contact Kathy Dutton at mamabissy@gmail.com. Of course, you can also participate in this important ministry at home by crafting items, and bringing them to CIC.
Card Ministry: We’ll be meeting Tuesday, January 27th, at 6:30 p.m. in Classroom One. Participants are asked to enter through the doors nearest the Spirit Center. If you would like information contact: Kathy Shugarman at shugs02@gmail.com or 940-300-2290.
Quilting Ministry: We will meet on February 12 & 26 in Classroom 1@ 10:00 AM. Questions? Contact Barbara Eaker at 704-483-2060.
All women of CIC are welcome to The 5:11s. 1st Thessalonians 5:11, we are a women’s group that “encourages one
another and builds one another up, just as you are doing.” We meet monthly between services to discuss ways we can
continue to encourage and build each other up and support our church. Contact Tracy Lyon (vikingtk@hotmail.com) or
Susan Kullstam (skulls01@me.com) with any questions.
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Please refer to the newsletter for ways to connect with this group.
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Come join the 5:11 Women’s Group at Marci’s house on Friday, 2/6 to celebrate Galentine’s by playing Bunco. Sign up at the link below. Tell others about it too. https://community-in-christ-lutheran-church-430595.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3383632
First Communion Instruction: If your 2nd grader or older would like to receive First Communion instruction this year during the season of Lent, with First Communion taking place on Maundy Thursday (April 2nd), please email Pastor Lisa (pastorlisa@communityinchrist.net) by February 4th.
GET READY - softball season is fast approaching and we are looking for players - men and women. We play in a church co-ed league. You need to be at least 16 years old sometime during this year. The season usually goes from the middle of March until sometime in May (depending on the weather). We play on Sunday afternoons at North Meck Park on Old Statesville Road. If you are interested, please contact Paul Miller (p.k.miller1@gmail.com) or Pastor Michael.
