Cornerstone Presbyterian Church

CORNERSTONE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR EPIPHANY 2021 January 3-February 16

Introduction to the Scripture Reading Guide

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” —2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Word of God is the foundation and lifeblood for every Christian disciple. That is why Cornerstone is committed to reading, preaching, praying, and singing the Bible each week in worship and laboring to instill through all our discipleship initiatives a love for and commitment to the Bible’s teaching. Very simply, we believe that the more we’re exposed to the means of grace of God’s Word, the more opportunity we have for our lives to be transformed by it.

But taking in the Word on Sunday and maybe during the week at a Bible study or on Wednesday Night is simply not enough. More necessary than our daily intake of food is our daily intake of the Scripture (Matthew 4:4). That is why two years ago as a church we began a read-through-the-Bible plan. It was the first time that most of us ever tried to read through the Bible! We started strong with good intentions, and a few of us have stayed the course. But many of us found out that we needed more than just a daily serving of chapters and verses. We needed regular encouragement, a sustainable pace, and the context of community to keep our noses in the Scriptures.

As we look to 2021, we’re trying something new. Instead of just reading straight through the Bible, we’re going to read smaller selections that are scattered through the Scripture, so that you’re getting a steady diet of Old and New Testament throughout the year. Further, the chosen Scriptures will center on themes from our sermon series, which means the main themes of our worship services will inform our Bible reading selections throughout the week.

We see benefits in approaching it this way. First, the smaller sections of Scripture give you time to reflect on the Word more deeply. Second, if you miss a day or two, you don’t have to sweat it or feel like you’re behind. You can just pick up wherever you are. Third, the repetitive emphasis of Scriptural themes from Sunday through your weekly Bible reading helps set a context for your Bible reading and will likely make a deeper spiritual impact on our heart.

We’re hopeful that by approaching our Bible reading more intentionally, letting the Lord’s Day worship service set our direction, we might experience in even greater measure of the living and active power of God’s Word in our life together (Hebrews 4:12)

The Church Season of Epiphany

At Cornerstone, we follow a calendar that celebrates some of the events in the life of Jesus Christ when He came and lived on earth among us. Our calendar begins with Advent: this is the four Sundays prior to Christmas. During this time, we reflect together on God’s promises to send the Messiah to rescue us from sin and to give us new life in the Spirit.

The next season we observe is called Epiphany, and this may be less familiar. The word comes from the Greek and means “manifestation” or “appearing.” It has long been customary to think of January 6 as the day when the kings or wise men from the East found the baby Jesus in Bethlehem and gave Him their gifts. Whoever they were, these travelers were not Jews but had come in search of the newborn King of the Jews. That moment, in a way, was Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentile world. And so at Cornerstone, we celebrate Epiphany as the special time when we consider the mission of God for the sake of His world. We use this season as a time to consider the mission that Jesus has given to His Church. We are to teach and make disciples of every nation and culture. We are to baptize the new believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And we are to train every disciple to do all that Jesus taught the first Apostles. This is a great time for us to focus as a congregation on the missional efforts—both near and far—that our church is involved with. We keep the season of Epiphany until the next season of Lent.

About Liturgy The Greek term liturgy literally means “the work of the people” and originally referred to the offerings that wealthy Greeks made for the sake of the people and the preservation of the state. The word was adopted by the early Church as recognition that the people of God offer themselves as a sacrifice in worship to God (Romans 12:1-2) and in service to their neighbors. It is an effectual reminder for the Christian to take up their cross daily and follow Christ.

About Matins Matins is a morning prayer service that comes from the Latin word matutinum meaning “belonging to the morning.” Matins general occurs as the first thing in the morning at sunrise. It is an opportunity to prayerfully enter into the presence of the Most High God with Scripture and song at the beginning of the day.

About Vespers Vespers is an evening prayer service that comes from the Latin word vesper meaning “evening.” It is an opportunity to prayerfully enter into the presence of the Most High God with Scripture and song at the close of the day.

Morning Liturgy, Matins A

The Call to Prayer—Psalm 143:8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

The Refrain for Matins—Psalm 130:6 My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, More than watchmen for the morning.

Free prayers of praise and thanks.

Read the Scripture passages for the day.

The Refrain for Matins—Psalm 130:6 My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, More than watchmen for the morning.

Prayers Opening: O God, even the darkness is not dark to You; The darkness is as bright as the day, For darkness is as light to You.

Free prayers of supplication and intercession.

Closing: Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that Your people, illumined by Your Word and sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that He may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth.

Final Blessing May the Lord bless us and keep us and cause His face to shine upon us from this day forth and forever more. Amen. 7

Evening Liturgy, Vespers A

The Call to Prayer—Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

The Refrain for Vespers—Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd and nothing is wanting to me. In green pastures He hath settled me.

Free prayers of praise and thanks.

Confession If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Silent confession

You, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, and in me You will show forth Your goodness. Amen.

Read the Scripture passages for the day.

The Refrain for Vespers—Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd and nothing is wanting to me. In green pastures He hath settled me.

Free prayers of supplication and intercession.

Concluding Prayer Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in peace. Amen.

Morning Liturgy, Matins B

The Call to Prayer—Matthew 2:9-10 And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

The Refrain for Matins—Psalm 104:33-34 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May all my thoughts be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord.

Free prayers of praise and thanks.

Read the Scripture passages for the day.

Prayers Opening: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Free prayers of supplication and intercession.

Closing: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your sin, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Final Blessing Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. Amen.

Evening Liturgy, Vespers B

The Call to Prayer—Isaiah 53:4 Surely Christ has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

The Refrain for Vespers—Hebrews 2:17 For this reason Christ had to be made like us, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people.

Free prayers of praise and thanks.

Confession Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. Lord, hear us now as we confess the ways we have not loved You or our neighbors.

Silent confession

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Read the Scripture passages for the day.

Free prayers of supplication and intercession.

Concluding Prayer But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever! Amen. 10

Morning Liturgy, Matins C

The Call to Prayer—Revelation 15:3 Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the nations.

The Refrain for Matins—1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

Free prayers of praise and thanks.

Read the Scripture passages for the day.

Prayers Opening: Who will not fear You, Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.

Free prayers of supplication and intercession.

Closing: And we shall sing a new song, saying: You, O Christ, are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. And in the City of God there shall be a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Amen.

Final Blessing May the Lord bless us and keep us and cause His face to shine upon us from this day forth and forever more. Amen.

Evening Liturgy, Vespers C

The Call to Prayer—Revelation 15:3 Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the nations.

Free prayers of praise and thanks.

Confession Since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Let us confess those places where we have disbelieved or disobeyed God today.

Silent confession

But when Christ our priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by one sacrifice He has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy.

Read the Scripture passages for the day.

Free prayers of supplication and intercession.

Concluding Prayer The grace of Christ is sufficient for us, for His power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore let us boast all the more gladly about our weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on us. Amen. 12

First Week of Epiphany

Sunday, January 3 “Hearing with the Heart” from Mark 4:1-20

Monday, January 4 Deuteronomy 6:1-25; 1 Timothy 1:1-18; Psalm 119:1-8

Tuesday, January 5 Proverbs 3:1-8; 1 Timothy 2:1-26; Psalm 119:9-16

Wednesday, January 6 Isaiah 55:1-11; 1 Timothy 3:1-17; Psalm 119:17-24

Thursday, January 7 Ezekiel 37:1-14; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; Psalm 119: 25-32

Friday, January 8 Revelation 22:1-21; 1 Timothy 4:6-22; Psalm 119:33-40

Second Week of Epiphany

Sunday, January 10 “Light & Seeds: Images of the Kingdom” from Mark 4:21-34

Monday, January 11 Daniel 1:1-21; John 3:1-21; Psalm 119:41-48

Tuesday, January 12 Daniel 2:1-49; John 18:33-37; Psalm 119:49-56

Wednesday, January 13 Daniel 3:1-30; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Psalm 119:57-64

Thursday, January 14 Daniel 4:1-37; Romans 14:13-19; Psalm 119:65-72

Friday, January 15 Daniel 5:1-6:28; Revelation 11:15-19; Psalm 119:73-80

Third Week of Epiphany

Sunday, January 17 “An Eerie Calm: Waking Up to the Identity of Jesus” from Mark 4:35-41

Monday, January 18 Joshua 1:1-18; Hebrews 10:19-25; Psalm 119:81-88

Tuesday, January 19 Joshua 2:1-24; Hebrews 11:1-40; Psalm 119:89-96

Wednesday, January 20 Joshua 3:1-17; Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 119:97-104

Thursday, January 21 Joshua 4:1-24; Hebrews 12:3-17; Psalm 119:105-112

Friday, January 22 Joshua 5:1-15; Hebrews 13:1-22; Psalm 119:113-120

Fourth Week of Epiphany

Sunday, January 24 “Delivered from Bondage” from Mark 5:1-20

Monday, January 25 Joshua 6:1-27; Colossians 1:1-14; Psalm 119:121-128

Tuesday, January 26 Joshua 7:1-26; Colossians 1:15-29; Psalm 119:129-136

Wednesday, January 27 Joshua 8:1-35; Colossians 2:1-15; Psalm 119:137-144

Thursday, January 28 Joshua 9:1-27; Colossians 2:16-23; Psalm 119:145-152

Friday, January 29 Joshua 10:1-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Psalm 119:153-160

Fifth Week of Epiphany

Sunday, January 31 “A Touch of Grace” from Mark 5:21-43

Monday, February 1 Joshua 11:1-23; Colossians 3:1-17; Psalm 119:161-168

Tuesday, February 2 Joshua 12:1-24; Colossians 4:1-18; Psalm 119:169-176

Wednesday, February 3 Joshua 13:1-33; Colossians 4:1-18; Psalm 120

Thursday, February 4 Joshua 14:1-15; Matthew 7:7-14; Psalm 121

Friday, February 5 Joshua 15:1-63; Matthew 7:15-29; Psalm 122

Sixth Week of Epiphany

Sunday, February 7 “The Challenges of Gospel Ministry” Mark 6:1-13

Monday, February 8 Joshua 16:1-17:18; Acts 6:8-15; Psalm 123

Tuesday, February 9 Joshua 18:1-28; Acts 7:1-60; Psalm 124

Wednesday, February 10 Joshua 19:1-51; Acts 9:1-19; Psalm 125

Thursday, February 11 Joshua 20:1-21:45; Acts 17:22-34; Psalm 126

Friday, February 12 Joshua 22:1-34; Acts 20:17-38; Psalm 127

Final Week of Epiphany

Sunday, February 14 “Count the Cost: Why Christian Ministry Can Get You Killed” from Mark 6:14-29

Monday, February 15 Joshua 23:1-16; Ephesians 5:1-20; Psalm 128

Tuesday, February 16 Joshua 24:1-33; Romans 12:1-2; Psalm 129

Cornerstone Presbyterian Church Post Office Box 407. Franklin, Tennessee 37065 www.cornerstonepresfranklin.org (615) 618-4707

All Scripture quotations from the English Standard Version