Why Memorize Scripture?

Memorization is a lost art in our over-saturated, instantaneous information age. Yet, when it comes to the beautiful gift of the Bible, God’s Word given to us, we do well to meditate on these words. When you commit bible verses not just to your minds, but let them also be written on your heart, you will find they are no longer mere words in a book.

They are God’s voice speaking to you.

Psalm 119:15 says, I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways.
Paul writes in Colossians 3:16, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

In Deuteronomy 6:7-9 the Lord says,
“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

We encourage you to use this guide to pray and reflect on the Sunday readings each week. Whether you worship at Good Shepherd, online, or are away, these words from the Lord keep us connected to one another by the Holy Spirit.

Read the memory verse each day.
Pray through it.
Rest in it.
See what Jesus has to speak to you through it each week.

Commit it to your heart so that wherever you are and whatever you might be going through, God will speak to you through these beautiful, holy words.

Advent 1

December 3

Memory Verse

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father;

  we are the clay, and you are our potter;

  we are all the work of your hand.

- Isaiah 64:8

First Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9

 1O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,

  so that the mountains would quake at your presence—

 2as when fire kindles brushwood

  and the fire causes water to boil—

 to make your name known to your adversaries,

  so that the nations might tremble at your presence!

 3When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect,

  you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.

 4From ages past no one has heard,

  no ear has perceived,

 no eye has seen any God besides you,

  who works for those who wait for him.

 5You meet those who gladly do right,

  those who remember you in your ways.

 But you were angry, and we sinned;

  because you hid yourself we transgressed.

 6We have all become like one who is unclean,

  and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.

 We all fade like a leaf,

  and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

 7There is no one who calls on your name,

  or attempts to take hold of you;

 for you have hidden your face from us,

  and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.

 8Yet, O Lord, you are our Father;

  we are the clay, and you are our potter;

  we are all the work of your hand.

 9Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord,

  and do not remember iniquity forever.

  Now consider, we are all your people.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

 1Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;

  shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

 2In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,

  stir up your strength and come to help us.

 3Restore us, O God;

  let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.

 4O Lord God of hosts,

  how long will your anger fume when your people pray? 

 5You have fed them with the bread of tears;

  you have given them bowls of tears to drink.

 6You have made us the derision of our neighbors,

  and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

 7Restore us, O God of hosts;

  let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.

 17Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,

  the one you have made so strong for yourself. 

 18And so will we never turn away from you;

  give us life, that we may call upon your name.

 19Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;

  let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you—7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel: Mark 13:24-37

[Jesus said:] 24“In those days, after that suffering,

 the sun will be darkened,

  and the moon will not give its light,

 25and the stars will be falling from heaven,

  and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

26Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

 28“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 32“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Advent 2

December 10

Memory Verse

Every valley shall be lifted up,

  and every mountain and hill be made low;

 the uneven ground shall become level,

  and the rough places a plain.

- Isaiah 40:4

First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

 1Comfort, O comfort my people,

  says your God.

 2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

  and cry to her

 that she has served her term,

  that her penalty is paid,

 that she has received from the Lord’s hand

  double for all her sins.

 3A voice cries out:

 “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,

  make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

 4Every valley shall be lifted up,

  and every mountain and hill be made low;

 the uneven ground shall become level,

  and the rough places a plain.

 5Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,

  and all people shall see it together,

  for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

 6A voice says, “Cry out!”

  And I said, “What shall I cry?”

 All people are grass,

  their constancy is like the flower of the field.

 7The grass withers, the flower fades,

  when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;

  surely the people are grass.

 8The grass withers, the flower fades;

  but the word of our God will stand forever.

 9Get you up to a high mountain,

  O Zion, herald of good tidings;

 lift up your voice with strength,

  O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,

  lift it up, do not fear;

 say to the cities of Judah,

  “Here is your God!”

 10See, the Lord God comes with might,

  and his arm rules for him;

 his reward is with him,

  and his recompense before him.

 11He will feed his flock like a shepherd;

  he will gather the lambs in his arms,

 and carry them in his bosom,

  and gently lead the mother sheep.

Psalm: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

 1You have been gracious to your land, O Lord;

  you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.

 2You have forgiven the iniquity of your people

  and blotted out all their sins.

 8I will listen to what the Lord God is saying;

  for you speak peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to you.

 9Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,

  that your glory may dwell in our land. 

 10Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together;

  righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

 11Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth,

  and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

 12The Lord will indeed grant prosperity,

  and our land will yield its increase.

 13Righteousness shall go before the Lord

  and shall prepare for God a pathway. 

Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15a

8Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

 11Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

 14Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15aand regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

 2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

 “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

  who will prepare your way;

 3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

  make his paths straight,’ ”

4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Advent 3

December 17

Memory Verse

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

 1The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

  because the Lord has anointed me;

 he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,

  to bind up the brokenhearted,

 to proclaim liberty to the captives,

  and release to the prisoners;

 2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

  and the day of vengeance of our God;

  to comfort all who mourn;

 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion—

  to give them a garland instead of ashes,

 the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

  the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.

 They will be called oaks of righteousness,

  the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.

 4They shall build up the ancient ruins,

  they shall raise up the former devastations;

 they shall repair the ruined cities,

  the devastations of many generations.

 8For I the Lord love justice,

  I hate robbery and wrongdoing;

 I will faithfully give them their recompense,

  and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

 9Their descendants shall be known among the nations,

  and their offspring among the peoples;

 all who see them shall acknowledge

  that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.

 10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,

  my whole being shall exult in my God;

 for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

  he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

 as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

  and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

  and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

 so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise

  to spring up before all the nations.

Psalm: Psalm 126

 1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

  then were we like those who dream.

 2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.

  Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

 3The Lord has done great things for us,

  and we are glad indeed.

 4Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

  like the watercourses of the Negeb. 

 5Those who sowed with tears

  will reap with songs of joy.

 6Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,

  will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise the words of prophets, 21but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.

 23May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Luke 1:46b-55

 46bMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

  47my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

 48for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your | lowly servant.

  From this day all generations will call me blessed:

 49you, the Almighty, have done great things for me

  and holy is your name.

 50You have mercy on | those who fear you,

  from generation to generation. 

 51You have shown strength with your arm

  and scattered the proud in their conceit,

 52casting down the mighty from their thrones

  and lifting up the lowly.

 53You have filled the hungry with good things

  and sent the rich away empty.

 54You have come to the aid of your servant Israel,

  to remember the promise of mercy,

 55the promise made to our forebears,

  to Abraham and his children forever.

Advent 4

December 24

Memory Verse

For nothing will be impossible with God.

- Luke 1:38

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

1Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”

 4But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 16Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55

 46bMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

  47my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

 48for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your lowly servant.

  From this day all generations will call me blessed:

 49you, the Almighty, have done great things for me

  and holy is your name.

 50You have mercy on those who fear you,

  from generation to generation. 

 51You have shown strength with your arm

  and scattered the proud in their conceit,

 52casting down the mighty from their thrones

  and lifting up the lowly.

 53You have filled the hungry with good things

  and sent the rich away empty.

 54You have come to the aid of your servant Israel,

  to remember the promise of mercy,

 55the promise made to our forebears,

  to Abraham and his children forever.

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27

25Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Christmas 1

December 31

Memory Verse

Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

- Luke 2:29-32

First Reading: Isaiah 61:10--62:3

 10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,

  my whole being shall exult in my God;

 for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

  he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

 as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

  and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

  and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

 so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise

  to spring up before all the nations.

 62:1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,

  and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,

 until her vindication shines out like the dawn,

  and her salvation like a burning torch.

 2The nations shall see your vindication,

  and all the kings your glory;

 and you shall be called by a new name

  that the mouth of the Lord will give.

 3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,

  and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Psalm: Psalm 148

 1Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens;

  praise God in the heights.

 2Praise the Lord, all you angels;

  sing praise, all you hosts of heaven.

 3Praise the Lord, sun and moon;

  sing praise, all you shining stars.

 4Praise the Lord, heaven of heavens,

  and you waters above the heavens.

 5Let them praise the name of the Lord,

  who commanded, and they were created,

 6who made them stand fast forever and ever,

  giving them a law that shall not pass away. 

 7Praise the Lord from the earth,

  you sea monsters and all deeps;

 8fire and hail, snow and fog,

  tempestuous wind, doing God’s will;

 9mountains and all hills,

  fruit trees and all cedars;

 10wild beasts and all cattle,

  creeping things and flying birds;

 11sovereigns of the earth and all peoples,

  princes and all rulers of the world;

 12young men and maidens,

  old and young together. 

 13Let them praise the name of the Lord,

  whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over earth and heaven.

 14The Lord has raised up strength for the people and praise for all faithful servants,

  the children of Israel, a people who are near the Lord. Hallelujah! 

Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7

4When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

  according to your word;

 30for my eyes have seen your salvation,

  31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles

  and for glory to your people Israel.”

 33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

 36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

 39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Baptism of Our Lord

January 7

Memory Verse

And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

- Mark 1:11

First Reading: Genesis 1:1-5

1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Psalm: Psalm 29

 1Ascribe to the Lord, you gods,

  ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

 2Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God’s name;

  worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

 3The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders;

  the Lord is upon the mighty waters.

 4The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice;

  the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor. 

 5The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees;

  the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;

 6the Lord makes Lebanon skip like a calf,

  and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.

 7The voice of the Lord

  bursts forth in lightning flashes.

 8The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;

  the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 

 9The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare.

  And in the temple of the Lord all are crying, “Glory!”

 10The Lord sits enthroned above the flood;

  the Lord sits enthroned as king forevermore.

 11O Lord, give strength to your people;

  give them, O Lord, the blessings of peace. 

Second Reading: Acts 19:1-7

1While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” 4Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied—7altogether there were about twelve of them.

Gospel: Mark 1:4-11

4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

 9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Epiphany 2

January 14

Memory Verse

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

- 1 Samuel 3:10

1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20]

1Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

 2At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

 10Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” [11Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. 12On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.”

 15Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” He said, “Here I am.” 17Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.”

 19As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.]

Psalm: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

 1Lord, you have searched me out;

  O Lord, you have known me.

 2You know my sitting down and my rising up;

  you discern my thoughts from afar.

 3You trace my journeys and my resting-places

  and are acquainted with all my ways.

 4Indeed, there is not a word on my lips,

  but you, O Lord, know it altogether. 

 5You encompass me, behind and before,

  and lay your hand upon me.

 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

  it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

 13For you yourself created my inmost parts;

  you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

 14I will thank you because I am marvelously made;

  your works are wonderful, and I know it well. 

 15My body was not hidden from you,

  while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth.

 16Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book;

  my days were fashioned before they came to be.

 17How deep I find your thoughts, O God!

  How great is the sum of them!

 18If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand;

  to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours. 

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

12“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.” 17But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. 19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

Gospel: John 1:43-51

43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Epiphany 3

January 21

Memory Verse

And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”

- Mark 1:17

First Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10

1The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2“Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

 10When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

  This is the Lord for whom we have waited;

  let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Psalm: Psalm 62:5-12

 5For God alone I wait in silence;

  truly, my hope is in God.

 6God alone is my rock and my salvation,

  my stronghold, so that I shall never be shaken.

 7In God is my deliverance and my honor;

  God is my strong rock and my refuge.

 8Put your trust in God always, O people,

  pour out your hearts before the one who is our refuge. 

 9Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath; those of low estate cannot be trusted.

  Placed on the scales together they weigh even less than a breath.

 10Put no trust in extortion; in robbery take no empty pride;

  though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.

 11God has spoken once, twice have I heard it,

  that power belongs to God.

 12Steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord,

  for you repay all according to their deeds. 

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

29Brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 30and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, 31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Gospel: Mark 1:14-20

14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

 16As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Epiphany 4

January 28

Memory Verse

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

- 1 Corinthians 8:1:b

First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

 [Moses said:] 15The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. 16This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” 17Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. 18I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. 19Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. 20But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.”

Psalm: Psalm 111

 1Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,

  in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.

 2Great are your works, O Lord,

  pondered by all who delight in them.

 3Majesty and splendor mark your deeds,

  and your righteousness endures forever.

 4You cause your wonders to be remembered;

  you are gracious and full of compassion. 

 5You give food to those who fear you,

  remembering forever your covenant.

 6You have shown your people the power of your works

  in giving them the lands of the nations.

 7The works of your hands are faithfulness and justice;

  all of your precepts are sure.

 8They stand fast forever and ever,

  because they are done in truth and equity. 

 9You sent redemption to your people and commanded your covenant forever;

  holy and awesome is your name.

 10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

  all who practice this have a good understanding. God’s praise endures forever. 

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

1Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; 3but anyone who loves God is known by him.

 4Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords—6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

 7It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8“Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 11So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. 12But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

21[Jesus and his disciples] went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Epiphany 5

February 4

Memory Verse

but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

- Isaiah 40:31

First Reading: Isaiah 40:21-31

 21Have you not known? Have you not heard?

  Has it not been told you from the beginning?

  Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

 22It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,

  and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;

 who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,

  and spreads them like a tent to live in;

 23who brings princes to naught,

  and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.

 24Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,

  scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,

 when he blows upon them, and they wither,

  and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

 25To whom then will you compare me,

  or who is my equal? says the Holy One.

 26Lift up your eyes on high and see:

  Who created these?

 He who brings out their host and numbers them,

  calling them all by name;

 because he is great in strength,

  mighty in power,

  not one is missing.

 27Why do you say, O Jacob,

  and speak, O Israel,

 “My way is hidden from the Lord,

  and my right is disregarded by my God”?

 28Have you not known? Have you not heard?

 The Lord is the everlasting God,

  the Creator of the ends of the earth.

 He does not faint or grow weary;

  his understanding is unsearchable.

 29He gives power to the faint,

  and strengthens the powerless.

 30Even youths will faint and be weary,

  and the young will fall exhausted;

 31but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,

  they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

 they shall run and not be weary,

  they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c

 1Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God!

  How pleasant it is to honor God with praise!

 2The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem,

  and gathers the exiles of Israel.

 3The Lord heals the brokenhearted

  and binds up their wounds.

 4The Lord counts the number of the stars

  and calls them all by their names. 

 5Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

  there is no limit to God’s wisdom.

 6The Lord lifts up the lowly,

  but casts the wicked to the ground.

 7Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

  make music upon the harp to our God,

 8who covers the heavens with clouds

  and prepares rain for the earth, making grass to grow upon the mountains. 

 9God provides food for the cattle

  and for the young ravens when they cry.

 10God is not impressed by the might of a horse,

  and has no pleasure in the speed of a runner,

 11but finds pleasure in those who fear the Lord,

  in those who await God’s steadfast love. 20c Hallelujah! 

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

16If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. 18What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.

 19For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

29As soon as [Jesus and the disciples] left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

 32That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

 35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Transfiguration

February 11

Memory Verse

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.

- Matthew 5:14

First Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-12

1Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”

 4Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.”

 6Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

 9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

Psalm: Psalm 50:1-6

 1The mighty one, God the Lord, has spoken;

  calling the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

 2Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty,

  God shines forth in glory.

 3Our God will come and will not keep silence;

  with a consuming flame before, and round about a raging storm.

 4God calls the heavens and the earth from above

  to witness the judgment of the people.

 5“Gather before me my loyal followers,

  those who have made a covenant with me and sealed it with sacrifice.”

 6The heavens declare the rightness of God’s cause,

  for it is God who is judge.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

3Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Gospel: Mark 9:2-9

2Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

 9As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.