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Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 1, 2026
1st Reading: Micah 6:1-8
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Psalm 15
Color: Green
Hymn of the Day: 842 Son of God, eternal Savior
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The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord
The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord
February 2, 2026
1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:21-28
Epistle: Hebrews 2:14-18
Gospel: Luke 2:22-32 (33-40)
Color: White
Hymn of the Day: 519 In His temple now behold Him
The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord
Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth. This feast commemorates the occasion when the Virgin Mary, in obedience to Jewish law, went to the Temple both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son and to present Jesus to God as her firstborn (Luke 2:22-38).
Upon bringing Jesus into the temple, the Holy Family encountered Simeon the Righteous. The Gospel records that Simeon had been promised that "he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord." (Luke 2:26) Simeon prayed the prayer that would become known as the Nunc Dimittis, or Canticle of Simeon, which prophesied the redemption of the world by Jesus:
"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32)
Simeon then prophesied to Mary: "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against -- yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also -- that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35).
The elderly prophetess Anna was also in the Temple, and offered prayers and praise to God for Jesus, and spoke to everyone there about Jesus and his role in the redemption of Israel (Luke 2:36-38).
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org "Presentation of Jesus at the Temple"
http://www.britannica.com "Candlemas"
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Jacob (Israel), Patriarch
Jacob (Israel), Patriarch
February 5, 2026
Jacob (Israel), Patriarch
Jacob, the third of the three Hebrew patriarchs, was the younger of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. After wrestling with the Angel of the Lord, Jacob, whose name means "deceiver," was renamed "Israel," which means "he strives with God" (Gen. 25:26; 32:28). His family life was filled with trouble, caused by his acts of deception toward his father and his brother Esau and his parental favoritism toward his son Joseph (March 31). Much of his adult life was spent grieving over the death of his beloved wife Rachel and the presumed death of Joseph, who had been appointed by the Egyptian Pharaoh to be in charge of food distribution during a time of famine in the land. Prior to Jacob's death during the blessing of his sons, God gave the promise that the Messiah would come through the line of Jacob's fourth son, Judah (Genesis 49).
Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies
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Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 8, 2026
1st Reading: Isaiah 58:3-9a
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20
Psalm 112:1-9
Color: Green
Hymn of the Day: 578 Thy strong word did cleave the darkness
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Silas, Fellow worker of St. Peter and St. Paul
Silas, Fellow worker of St. Peter and St. Paul
February 10, 2026
Silas, Fellow Worker with Paul
Silas, a leader in the church at Jerusalem, was chosen by Paul (Acts 15:40) to accompany him on his second missionary journey from Antioch to Asia Minor and Macedonia. Silas, also known as Silvanus, was imprisoned with Paul in Philippi and experienced the riots in Thessalonica and Berea. After rejoining Paul in Corinth, he apparently remained there for an extended time. Beyond that there is little further mention of Silas and his association with Paul.
Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies
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Aquila, Priscilla, Apollos
Aquila, Priscilla, Apollos
February 13, 2026
Aquila, Priscilla, Apollos
Aquila and his wife Priscilla (Prisca), Jewish contemporaries of St. Paul, traveled widely. Because of persecution in Rome, they went to Corinth where they met the apostle Paul, who joined them in their trade of tentmaking (Acts 18:1-3). They, in turn, joined him in his mission of proclaiming the Christian Gospel. The couple later traveled with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus (Acts 18:18), where the two of them established a home that served as hospitality headquarters for new converts to Christianity. Apollos was one of their numerous Jewish pupils in the faith. An eloquent man, Apollos "spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus" (Acts 18:25). He later traveled from Corinth to the province of Achaia, where he "showed by the Scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus" (Acts 18:28). Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos are all remembered and honored for their great missionary zeal.
Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies
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Valentine, Martyr
Valentine, Martyr
February 14, 2026
Valentine, Martyr
A physician and priest living in Rome during the rule of the Emperor Claudius, Valentine become one of the noted martyrs of the third century. The commemoration of his death, which occurred in the year 270, became part of the calendar of remembrance in the early church of the West. Tradition suggests that on the day of his execution for his Christian faith, he left a note of encouragement for a child of his jailer written on an irregularly-shaped piece of paper. This greeting became a pattern for millions of written expressions of love and caring that now are the highlight of Valentine's Day in many nations.
Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies
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Philemon and Onesimus
Philemon and Onesimus
February 15, 2026
Philemon and Onesimus
Philemon was a prominent first-century Christian who owned a slave named Onesimus. Although the name "Onesimus" means "useful," Onesimus proved himself "useless" when he ran away from his master and perhaps even stole from him (Philemon 18). Somehow Onesimus came into contact with the apostle Paul while the latter was in prison (possibly in Rome), and through Paul's proclamation of the Gospel he became a Christian. After confessing to the apostle that he was a runaway slave, he was directed by Paul to return to his master and become "useful" again. In order to help pave the way for Onesimus' peaceful return home, Paul sent him on his way with a letter addressed to Philemon, a letter in which he urged Philemon to forgive his slave for having run away and "to receive him as you would receive me" (v. 17), "no longer as a slave, but as a beloved brother" (v. 16). The letter was eventually included by the church as one of the books of the New Testament.
Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies
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The Transfiguration of Our Lord
The Transfiguration of Our Lord
February 15, 2026
1st Reading: Exodus 24:8-18
Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16-21
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9
Psalm 2:6-12
Color: White
Hymn of the Day: 413 O wondrous type! O vision fair
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Philip Melanchthon, Confessor
Philip Melanchthon, Confessor
February 16, 2026
Philip Melanchthon, Confessor
Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560) was a brilliant student of the classics and a humanist scholar. In 1518 he was appointed to teach along with Martin Luther at the University of Wittenberg. At Luther's urging, Melanchthon began teaching theology and Scripture in addition to his courses in classical studies. In April of 1530, Emperor Charles V called an official meeting between the representative of Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism, hoping to effect a meeting of minds between two opposing groups. Since Luther was at that time under papal excommunication and an imperial ban, Melanchthon was assigned the duty of being the chief Lutheran representative at this meeting. He is especially remembered and honored as the author of the Augsburg Confession, which was officially presented by the German princes to the emperor on June 25, 1530, as the defining document of Lutheranism within Christendom. Melanchthon died on April 19, 1560.
Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies
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Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday
February 18, 2026
1st Reading: Joel 2:12-19
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
Psalm 51:1-13 (14-19)
Color: Black or Violet
Hymn of the Day: 607 From depths of woe I cry to Thee
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Martin Luther, Doctor and Confessor
Martin Luther, Doctor and Confessor
February 18, 2026
Martin Luther, Doctor and Reformer
Martin Luther, born on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, initially began studies leading toward a degree in law. However, after a close encounter with death, he switched to the study of theology, entered an Augustinian monastery, was ordained a priest in 1505, and received a doctorate in theology in 1512. As a professor at the newly-established University of Wittenberg, his scriptural studies led him to question many of the church's teachings and practices, especially the selling of indulgences. His refusal to back down from his convictions resulted in his excommunication in 1521. Following a period of seclusion at the Wartburg castle, Luther returned to Wittenberg, where he spent the rest of his life preaching and teaching, translating the Scriptures, and writing hymns and numerous theological treatises. He is remembered and honored for his lifelong emphasis on the biblical truth that for Christ's sake God declares us righteous by grace through faith alone. He died on February 18, 1546, while visiting the town of his birth.
Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies
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First Sunday in Lent
First Sunday in Lent
February 22, 2026
1st Reading: Genesis 3:1-21
Epistle: Romans 5:12-19
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
Psalm 32:1-7
Color: Violet
Hymn of the Day: 656 657 A mighty fortress is our God
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Polycarp of Smyrna, Pastor and Martyr
Polycarp of Smyrna, Pastor and Martyr
February 23, 2026
Polycarp of Smyrna, Pastor and Martyr
Born c. 69, Polycarp was a central figure in the early church. A disciple of the evangelist John, he linked the first generation of believers to later Christians. After serving for many years as bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp was arrested, tried, and executed for his faith on February 23, c. 156. An eyewitness narrative of his death, The Martyrdom of Polycarp, continues to encourage believers in times of persecution.
Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies
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St. Matthias, Apostle
St. Matthias, Apostle
February 24, 2026
1st Reading: Isaiah 66:1-2
Epistle: Acts 1:15-26
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30
Color: Red
Hymn of the Day: 831 "How shall they hear," who have not heard
St. Matthias, Apostle
Matthias was the apostle chosen by the remaining eleven apostles to replace Judas Iscariot following Judas' betrayal of Jesus and his suicide (Acts 1:21-26).
Soon after Matthias' election, he received the Holy Spirit with the other Apostles (Acts 2:1-4). He is not mentioned again in the New Testament.
Tradition says that Matthias ministered in Judaea and then carried out missions to foreign places. Greek tradition states that he Christianized Cappadocia, a mountainous district now in central Turkey, later journeying to the region about the Caspian Sea, where he was martyred by crucifixion.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org "Matthias the Apostle"
http://www.britannica.com "Saint Matthias"
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