18 January - Second Sunday after Epiphany – Year A

The Faith Action Programme would like to thank Wendy Lloyd, Pilgrimage Guide and Spiritual Director for ‘Mull Another Way' for her thoughts on the third Sunday of Advent.

Introduction

These mid-January weeks are often a challenging time of year for folk, financially and emotionally. The tinsel, fizz and pop of Christmas and the New Year has long faded and the humdrum of daily routine has set in. The evening light is stretching but spring is still a long way off.

The 18th January is also when many churches mark the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Congregations from a number of churches and denominations may be gathering together for worship. And 18th January 2026 is also World Religion Day, aiming to promote understanding and peace between all religions as well as mutual understanding and tolerance between peoples from different backgrounds.

I read through this week's readings before going on pilgrimage on the St. Cuthbert's Way. I was walking with a group of six others, pilgrims from the Episcopal Church Diocese of Colorado and from Maine, USA. This group have become personal friends since I guided them on pilgrimage across Mull to Iona a few years ago.

I knew I could allow myself time and space on our journey to reflect on the readings, so I took these passages on pilgrimage with me.

I spent time with one passage a day, reading through it in the morning, sometimes I read the passage while I walked, since the pace was often slow. I walked with it all day - typically walking for about eight or nine hours. I got curious about what lingered longest from my morning reading as the miles and the day passed by. I allowed that curiosity to guide my reflection, research and writing when we got to our accommodation in the evening or early the next morning.

Inevitably the stories of Saint Columba, Saint Aidan, Saint Boswell and the landscape of the Borders and Northumberland influenced my reflections too. I was particularly pleased that the Gospel passage for this week was from the Gospel of St. John - the Gospel that Cuthbert read with his mentor, Boswell when he was dying from the plague. Such was Cuthbert's love of John's Gospel it is said told that a copy of the Gospel was discovered in his coffin when it was opened years after his death.

Isaiah 49:1-7

Reflecting on this passage on the second day of walking along the St. Cuthbert's Way, the call out to the coastlands and the ‘peoples from far away' caught my attention first. Walking through autumnal woodland and farmland, I am drawn to the relationship we have with the coastland. The marginal place. This passage of proclamation in Second Isaiah is not only intended for the traumatised people recovering from exile - it is also good news for the ends of the earth. For the land and the coast land, for the people of Israel and for all the nations.

The passage reads as if the Servant, the prophet, is nervous to make this radical proclamation of expansion and inclusion. They feel the need to make their credentials very clear - twice insisting on their calling and prophetic authority, granted in their mother's womb.

Psalm 139 reminds us that each of us was formed and known in our mother's womb. The Servant in Isaiah 49 took much affirmation and encouragement from this - drawing authority and confidence from the wonder and miracle of life before birth. In these dark and difficult early days of the year, for many, it may be worth lingering over how ‘fearfully and wonderfully made' we all are - not just those tasked with making dramatic, prophetic declarations.

There also appears to be a vulnerability and exasperation expressed by the Servant in verse four - "I have laboured in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity…" Even with the assurance of being called and appointed he is not spared being disheartened. We may all have had times when these words resonate - when we too have thought, ‘what's the point'! This may even resonate most with many of you preparing for worship week in and week out, seeing seemingly little effect or fruit for your faithful ministry. In that discouragement, the Servant digs deep, yet again… ‘yet surely my cause is with the LORD and my reward with my God." If you find yourself discouraged on occasion, may you too find that you can say the words of the Servant - 'My God has become my strength.'

And then finally, after all this necessary buildup we get to the crux of the matter in verse six:

"It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."

The buildup is necessary since this traumatised people will most likely have wanted nothing more than to have circled the wagons, to tend to their own wounds and trauma and give sole consideration to their own necessary and deep need for recovery.

Yet here they are being told that their restoration and healing is not for themselves alone. The healing and restoration of God is for the coastlands, for the peoples who are far away - even to the ends of the earth.

Psalm 40:1-11

I often guide pilgrims across the rugged and boggy south coast of the Ross of Mull. They are typically journeying to or from the Isle of Iona. So it is not unexpected that it was verse two in this Psalm that first drew my attention: ‘He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.'

The miry bog of the Isle of Mull has humbled me on more than one occasion and more than a few pilgrims. Having feet set upon dry and solid rock, having secure steps is the pilgrim's dream.

Currently journeying the St. Cuthbert's Way pilgrimage, a number of other parts of the passage and things about the Psalm drew my attention.

That St. Cuthbert stood neck deep in water reciting the Psalms is well known. The part of the story most referred to is how the otters came to him after he got out of the water and breathed on his feet and rubbed their fur against him to warm him. Such was the intimacy of Cuthbert's relationship with nature. The reciting of the Psalms while neck deep in water is usually given less emphasis or attention in preference for the part about the cute otters.

However, to stand neck deep in water on the east coast of Scotland sounds like quite the risky sacrifice. A very embodied, albeit hypothermic, offering is made by the saint. While walking on pilgrimage one can often go the extra mile, or push through discomfort. Harkening back to an age of pilgrimage as penance. But as I walked today, ruminating on many things, including this Psalm, my memory and attention was drawn to verse six: ‘Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.' What would Saint Cuthbert have made of these words..? Perhaps pilgrimage doesn't have to be so painful or punishing.

The Psalmist declares delight and deliverance over and above sacrifice and burnt offerings.

The Psalm is bursting with delight. They delight to do God's will and have the law of God, not in their head, but in their heart. And such is their delight and gladness that they've not been able to keep their joy to themselves - they have not restrained their lips. And all this effusive and joyful sharing has not come from a sense of reward and entitlement from sacrifice or achievement.

Rather, it is the result of the practice of waiting, v1, ‘I waited patiently for the Lord.' I'm discovering that waiting is part of the practice of walking pilgrimage. You don't get anywhere quickly on foot, you have to pace yourself, taking the time it requires to reach the destination. Waiting is of course a practice more associated with Advent than Epiphany. Perhaps as other New Year's resolutions have dissipated by now, the simple daily practice of waiting for and with the Lord might take their place.

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

This letter introduction is a masterclass in how to do conflict well. Paul does not avoid conflict but gets right to the heart of the matter, yet manages to frame it in grace and gratitude.

It is verse two in 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 that draws my eye first:

"To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours…" (v2)

As we walk the St. Cuthbert's Way we remember the journey of St. Aidan from Iona to Northumbria and his settling on Holy Island, Lindisfarne. We learn of his encouragement of a woman in leadership, as shown by the legacy of St. Hilda.

While immersed in the stories of ancient saints I've been reminded by Paul, in his letter to the fledgling and quarrelling church in Corinth, that we are all called to be saints. The Greek word hagios — translated as "saints" — means "holy ones" or "those set apart."

Paul is reminding this community that they are God's holy people, already made holy through Christ and called to live that holiness in daily life as everyday saints. There is no-one more special or set apart, than the other - not even based on the spiritual gifts they may be practicing.

The journey to saintliness, or holiness, is a pilgrimage of its own kind. We have both already arrived and are on the way. We are already sanctified and being sanctified. In the grace and love of God, we are already enough and are always becoming.

The second part of this verse and the letter of 1 Corinthians as a whole has much to offer always, and particularly at the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The entire letter is a call to get over divisions, power struggles and squabbling over suggested significance.

Later in the letter Paul reminds the church in Corinth, and us who read it today, that we are one body, the body of Christ. The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 is One Body, One Spirit - the resources are available here.

John 1:29-42

With this passage we find ourselves within an episode that spans three very significant days in the life of John the Baptist.

John, was the one who just a month ago for us, was leaping in his mother Elizabeth's womb at the sound of the greeting of the mother of Jesus. Now here he is, once again recognising the presence of the Messiah. In these three days we see John fulfilling the very particular call on his life. He is pointing towards Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God.'

On the first day, the Levites and priests had travelled from Jerusalem to Bethany to find out who John was. Such was the stir he was causing, word had even got to Jerusalem! His reply to their enquiry was along the lines of ‘you ain't seen nothin' yet! I'm just the warm up act. The one who is to come after me is really going to be something. I'm only baptising in water…' On this first day, when talking to the religious leaders, he doesn't mention that the one to come will baptise with the Holy Spirit - he knew his audience and what he'd already said was probably enough. But he doesn't hold back the next day…

The next day John sees Jesus coming and he recognises Him, fully. The passage doesn't make clear who, other than himself, John is talking to when he ‘testifies'. Was this ‘next day' an opportunity for John alone to see and to know, before he might declare it publicly? Was it an opportunity for John's Gospel to testify that Jesus was and is the Lamb of God, the Messiah, the one who is sent in love for the world. If so then, there is an encouragement for us preparing worship to experience our own revelation before sharing it with others.

On the next day we are told that John was standing with two of his disciples when Jesus walks past, again. This time the disciples hear John's declaration and the revelation is not for John alone. John will have been aware that his declaration will lead to the loss of his own disciples. Sure enough, their curiosity peaked and they follow Jesus.

Somewhat comically, to me at least, Jesus notices He is being followed and turns and asks ‘what are you looking for?' The disciples indicate they are seeking Him out as a Rabbi, a teacher to follow. I can't help but wonder if they really wanted to know where Jesus was staying. Or was there something else that they really wanted to ask, but didn't have the courage to do so? Picturing ourselves in the same scenario, what might we respond to Jesus' question ‘what are you looking for?'

Jesus, in His graciousness invites them and us to ‘come and see'…

Sermon ideas

If focusing on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, there are themes of unity to explore in the Isaiah, 1 Corinthians and possibly the Gospel passages.

The radical message of expansion and inclusion in Isaiah may extend to our own welcoming and appreciation of different expressions of worship and belief. Here is an invitation to extend our vision beyond our own boundaries and borders. Isaiah's proclamation of salvation to the ends of the earth suggests a welcome and appreciation of people of all nations, and expressions of Christian faith, even if their approach and worship may be different to ours. This message may feel uncomfortable and challenging, as this message of the Servant would have been to a people recovering from a brutal exile. The Isaiah passage encourages us to turn our attention outward when all our instinct is to turn inward, to tend to our own struggles and wounds.

The 1 Corinthian's passage lends itself very well to picking up on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity theme of One Body, One Spirit. This passage addresses conflict within one church, and yet the parallels of the Church in Corinth can also be extended to the disagreement and division that often exists between and within current denominations. How could such conflict and difference be approached with grace and gratitude, while also not tiptoeing round the matter? How might we share an appreciation of the sainthood of all believers. Not comparing or considering some parts more important or significant than others? How might we celebrate the One body, made up of many essential parts?

John's Gospel is not such an obvious Christian Unity passage - though it does lend itself to exploring the One Spirit theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus came to bring is a baptism not only for the individual but for the Church. Later in John, 'Jesus' prayer in John 17:21 calls for believers to be one, as He and the Father are one, demonstrating that our unity is grounded in our relationship with Christ and our collective mission of sharing the good news.' (Intro to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity)

Calling

Another theme to explore, if not marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, includes that of discerning our vocation and calling, whether we're in the pulpit or pew (or their equivalents). The Servant of Isaiah goes to lengths to reassure the listener/ reader of their ‘called' credentials. Paul makes his calling as an apostle very clear. John the Baptist is clearly called to be the one who prepares the way for the ‘Chosen One' who is to come.

And while such specific callings can be somewhat intimidating and challenging to read of - the letter of 1 Corinthians makes clear that we are all called to be saints and as the collective body of Christ, we are resourced with every gift that we need.

And perhaps most delightfully, the Psalmist reminds us that our call, above all, is to wait patiently for and on the Lord - particularly if seeking discernment about what is ours to do. And the delight and gladness of the Psalmist reminds us of that wonderful idea shared by the late, great, Frederick Buechner: "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

Prayers

The process for the prayers was to return again to read through the scripture readings. And to give space for current issues of the week and month to be included.

Gathering prayer / Call to worship

This opening prayer is inspired by the Gospel passage - it invites us to imagine ourselves in the place of curiosity and wanting to know more about Jesus, and to respond to His invitation to ‘Come and See' during this service and in our lives every day.

Welcoming God,
on this January morning
with others all across this land
and around the world
we respond to Your invitation:
Come and see

Help us to open our imaginations
to hear You say these words to us
words first spoken to those
other curious disciples:
Come and see

This morning/afternoon/evening*
we too chose to follow You
to seek out the place where You stay
to simply hang out, to abide, with You
to hear You whisper to our souls
Come and see

Let us come and see
Let us come and be seen
Let us come now and worship You
in spirit and in truth
Amen

*delete as appropriate

Confession / Repentance/ Reconciliation

The prayer of confession uses part of the last verse of the Psalm as the response. The Psalmist's repetition places an emphasis on the steadfast love and faithfulness of God and we pick this up in the reconciliation/ absolution.

Given the 18th January is going to be marked by many churches as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity this prayer, we bring themes of discord and division to the time of confession and repentance. It also acknowledges the wrongs done to us rather than only focusing on those things we have done or neglected to do that have distanced us from God.

Let us bring before God our prayers of confession and repentance
knowing and trusting in God's steadfast love and faithfulness
that keeps us safe forever.

For when we have thought of ourselves too highly or too lowly
For when we have thought of others too little or too much
For when such thoughts have informed and influenced our actions
God forgive us
Do not, O Lord, withhold Your mercy from us

For when we have prioritised the trivial and mundane
For when we have ignored the things of life and love
For when we have been too easily distracted from what truly matters
God forgive us
Do not, O Lord, withhold Your mercy from us

For when we have disagreed disagreeably
For when we perpetuated division and discord
For when we have hindered Your will being done
God forgive us
Do not, O Lord, withhold Your mercy from us

For the pain and suffering of the world
For the actions and inactions that lie at its the root
For the failure to learn from historical mistakes
God forgive us
Do not, O Lord, withhold Your mercy from us

And for all those situations and circumstances
that have left us hurt, bruised and disappointed
God help us to forgive as we are forgiven
Do not, O Lord, withhold Your mercy from us.

We bring all of these confessions before You
confident of Your generous mercy
resting in Your steadfast love and
trusting in Your constant faithfulness
with thanks and deep gratitude, we pray. Amen.

Thanksgiving/ Gratitude

Invite those gathered to spend time in reflection on the week just gone, including this morning so far.

Encourage them to think of three things they are thankful for.
For themselves
For their community
For the world.

If it's practical and suitable to do so, invite them to share at least one of the things they are thankful for with others sitting nearby.

And bring this time of discussion to a close with the words of the following prayer:

Listening God,
did You sense the joy
the appreciation and delight
the laughter and the smiles
and even see the tears
when You listened in on our conversations just now?

With our hearts brimming over
with gratitude for Your provision,
Your mystery and transcendence
and even for the times of presence in pain.

For all these things we've shared about
and the gratitude that is beyond words
- we thank You, wonderful God.

Prayer for others / Intercession

Space has been left for current news events to be inserted into this prayer of intercession.

You might want to invite folk gathered to suggest issues and concerns that are on their heart to be included in the prayers - one way of doing this would be to provide sticky notes and pens for people to write down the things they don't mind sharing publicly and for those to be gathered during the offering and brought to the front to be included in the prayers of intercession. Or invite people to come and stick them up on a flip chart or wall during the singing of a song before the prayers of intercession. Or use the chat function, if meeting online via Zoom or similar.

God who entered into Your Creation
who experienced birth, death
and all of life in between
and came to bring life in fullness for all,
we pray that we might become Your unified body
working and worshipping in the world as Your everyday saints.

Equip us with wisdom to know how to respond
to each of the causes and concerns that we bring to You now
that often weigh heavily on our hearts.

[Read out what is written on a selection of the sticky notes - perhaps sticking them up on a flipchart for folk to see] OR/ AND:

We bring the concerns of our planet:
of extinction of animal species
of rapidly melting icecaps
of stronger hurricanes and wilder fires.
Give us wisdom to respond
to hold those in power to account
to play our part in the necessary change
to live as Your everyday saints

We bring our concern for peace
in a world riven with violent conflict
of decades and centuries long wars
of bloodshed and senseless death.
Give us the insight and courage
to always choose the way of peace
to be ambassadors of reconciliation
to live as Your everyday saints

We bring our love for our wider community
for all the generations and cultures
that make us who we are
of which this Church is a part.
Give us the confidence and joy
to share our delight and love for You
for the thriving and flourishing of all
and to live as Your everyday saints

Hear too the unspoken prayers of our hearts
[SILENCE]

In the name of the Trinity we pray,
Creator, Son and Spirit
Amen

Blessing / Closing prayer

If you find yourself discouraged this week
may you know God as your strength.
If you feel yourself sinking into a bog of despair
may you find yourself lifted up onto solid ground.
If you are frequently distracted or disappointed
may you draw to stillness and wait patiently on the Lord.
If you are unsure of what you are looking for
may you hear and respond to Jesus' invitation
offered to us all to come and see.
Go now to love and serve the Lord
as dearly beloved children
and as everyday saints.
Amen

Musical suggestions

God Welcomes All (GWA) is the new supplement to Church Hymnary Fourth Edition. This exciting new collection features over 200 hymns and songs in a wide range of styles by writers from Scotland and around the world.

The full music and words-only versions are now available; and digital resources, including the expansion of the existing Church of Scotland music website, will be published in due course, with streaming functions and further information on each song; backing tracks; and lyric videos. God Welcomes All is available to order from https://chbookshop.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781786225573/god-welcomes-all

Our online music resource is on the Church of Scotland website; you can listen to samples of every song in the Church Hymnary 4th edition (CH4) and download a selection of recordings for use in worship. You will also find playlists for this week and liturgical seasons and themes on the Weekly Worship and Inspire Me tabs.

You can find further musical suggestions for this week in a range of styles on the Songs for Sunday blog from Trinity College Glasgow.

• GWA 134 – "Called to be saints! To walk the pilgrim way"
• GWA 226 – "God of all comfort, God of compassion"
• GWA 171 – "Kwake Yesu nasimama" – ‘Here on Jesus Christ I will stand' – reflecting on Psalm 40:2
• GWA 24 – "Your Labour is not in vain"
• GWA 150 – "Darkness is a gift of God"

A suggested playlist of songs from CH4 throughout Epiphany can be found on the Church of Scotland website

Reflecting on our worship practice

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the way we worship has changed and we need to reflect on the changing or newly established patterns that emerged and continue to emerge as a result of the disruption.

We can facilitate worship for all by exploring imaginative approaches to inclusion, participation and our use of technologies in ways that suit our contexts. This is not an exhaustive list, but some things we could consider are:

• Framing various parts of the worship service in accessible language to help worshippers understand the character and purpose of each part. This is essential for creating worship for all (intergenerational worship) that reflects your community of faith.
• Holding spaces for reflection and encouraging prayer to be articulated in verbal and non-verbal ways, individually and in online breakout rooms.
• In online formats the effective use of the chat function and microphone settings encourages active participation in prayer, e.g. saying the Lord's Prayer together unmuted, in a moment of ‘holy chaos'.
• While singing in our congregations is still restricted, we can worship corporately by using antiphonal psalm readings, creeds and participative prayers.
• Using music and the arts as part of the worship encourages the use of imagination in place of sung or spoken words.
• Use of silence, sensory and kinaesthetic practices allow for experience and expression beyond regular audio and visual mediums.

The following questions might help you develop a habit of reflecting on how we create and deliver content and its effectiveness and impact, and then applying what we learn to develop our practice.

• How inclusive was the worship?
  Could the worship delivery and content be described as worship for all/ intergenerational?
  Was it sensitive to different "Spiritual Styles"?
• How was the balance between passive and active participation?
• How were people empowered to connect with or encounter God?
  What helped this?
  What hindered this?
• How cohesive was the worship?
  Did it function well as a whole?
  How effective was each of the individual elements in fulfilling its purpose?
• How balanced was the worship?
  What themes/topics/doctrines/areas of Christian life were included?
• How did the worship connect with your context/contemporary issues?
  Was it relevant in the everyday lives of those attending and in the wider parish/ community?
  How well did the worship connect with local and national issues?
  How well did the worship connect with world events/issues?
• What have I learned that can help me next time I plan and deliver worship?

Useful links

You can listen to samples of every song in the Church Hymnary 4th edition (CH4) and download a selection of recordings for use in worship in our online hymnary.

You are free to download, project, print and circulate multiple copies of any of this material for use in worship services, bible studies, parish magazines, etc., but reproduction for commercial purposes is not permitted.

Please note that the views expressed in these materials are those of the individual writer and not necessarily the official view of the Church of Scotland, which can be laid down only by the General Assembly.