Sunday, January 25, 2026
Due to inclement weather conditions, worship services are canceled for this Sunday, January 25. A message from Rev. Teresa Reed follows.
Dear Providence Church family,
As much as I dislike the idea of cancelling worship services, I felt it was necessary to do so because of the potentially hazardous conditions. I hope that you are all safe and warm this weekend. I want to share with you a shortened version of the sermon I was planning for you this week.
The lectionary passages are from Isaiah 9:1-4 and Matthew 4:12-23. It may seem strange to be reading this passage from Isaiah in January; we traditionally read it during Advent. Matthew quotes from Isaiah as he tells us about Jesus beginning his public preaching and calling the first disciples. Isaiah’s prophecy was written in anticipation of a future king who would restore and reunite the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Isaiah tells about the coming Servant Savior. Matthew tells us that the Servant Savior is Jesus.
Isaiah 9:1 “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Nephtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan.”
Matthew 4:12-14 “When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Nephtali – to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah.”
Isaiah and Matthew are writing to people who are in darkness. What is this darkness? We tend to limit the idea of darkness to ignorance – not knowing the about God’s plan of salvation for all people. The terms for darkness used in these passages indicate more than just ignorance. Both of these writers are trying to reach an audience who are living under the rule of a foreign power – the Assyrians and the Romans. Isaiah prophesied about a Servant Savior who would end the distress of the people. John the Baptist preached that the kingdom of heaven was near and that there was someone coming after him that would baptize with the Holy Spirit. They both were preaching about light while their people were still in darkness. They were preaching about hope. After John’s arrest, Jesus moves to Galilee and begins to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near…Come follow me.”
That which was hoped for has come.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)
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Teresa Reed, MDiv
Pastor
Providence Presbyterian Church
1112 Hummingbird Dr
West Columbia SC 29169