Live in the rhythm of the Church Year.
Explore the readings, prayers, hymns and seasons that form Christian life week by week.
April 19, 2026
See TodayThird Sunday of Easter
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
-
Ezek. 34:11–16 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
- Psalm
-
Psalm 23 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
- Epistle
-
1 Peter 2:21–25 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
- Gospel
-
John 10:11–16 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Third Sunday of Easter
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
The Good Shepherd Cares for His Sheep
Our Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11–16). He is not like the hireling, who cares nothing for the sheep and only for himself, who flees when he sees the wolf coming. Rather, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who seeks out His scattered sheep to deliver them (Ezek. 34:11–16). He gathers them and feeds them in rich pasture. He binds up the broken and strengthens the sick. He lays down His life for wandering and wayward sheep. On the cross, Christ bore in His body the attacks of the predators of sin and death and the devil for you that you might be saved. He now lives to restore your soul in the still waters of baptism, to lead you in the paths of righteousness by the voice of His Gospel, to prepare the table of His holy supper before you, that you may dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23). “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — One-Year Lectionary (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Source: LCMS One-Year Series Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Collect
Historical Collect — Second Sunday after Easter (Misericordias)
GOD, Who, by the humiliation of Thy Son, didst raise up the fallen world; Grant unto Thy faithful ones perpetual gladness, and those whom Thou hast delivered from the danger of everlasting death, do Thou make partakers of eternal joys; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (Baltimore, 1893), Introits and Collects for the Church Year (opens in a new tab). Public-domain text (published 1893), transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of the Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for April 19, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Heavenly Father, in Holy Baptism the children of Your Church are born again to a living hope. Feed and nourish our faith, bring us through every trial, and lend strength and joy to the praises of our risen Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, send faithful shepherds to care for Your flock here and scattered throughout the world. Keep them devoted to You and Your truth and so turn them in dutiful service toward Your people. Spare us from hirelings who would serve ego, belly or the world’s doctrines. Give discerning ears to Your sheep to listen for the voice of Christ, our Good Shepherd. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gentle Lord, visit the homes of Your people, that they may be places where faith is nurtured and where we learn to live our new lives in holiness and righteousness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O gracious King, You have ordered the nations of the world so that men might seek security in You and not in earthly powers. Give good purpose to our leaders and grant peace through their labors, that many may find You in the sanctuary of Your Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, by the firstfruits of Christ’s life from the dead, You secured forgiveness for our troubled consciences. Bless also with temporal health and well-being those who suffer among us [especially _____________]. Grant them aid in this moment and, even more so, true, immortal health in the world to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful God, Your Son has given us His own flesh to be our food and His very blood to be our drink. Give us Your Holy Spirit so that we who approach His table may receive His gifts with repentant hearts and faith, that what we receive with our lips we may keep in holy hearts and show forth in holy lives. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, those who die in Christ rest in Him. With them we await the day when we are received into Your everlasting presence to the life that death cannot end. Receive our thanks for the mighty saints of old and for their witness preserved through the ages. Keep us in Christ, that we may be reunited with all who have gone before us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
These things and whatever else You know that we need, kind Father, grant us for the sake of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for April 19, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faith, patience, strength and joy, that born again to a living hope, we may trust our heavenly Father and proclaim the praises of His risen Son, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that God would send faithful shepherds to care for His flock here and scattered throughout the world; that He would keep them devoted to Christ and His truth and so turn them in dutiful service toward His people; that God would spare us from hirelings who serve ego, belly or the world’s doctrines; and that He would give discerning ears to His sheep to listen for the voice of Christ, our Good Shepherd, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all Christian homes, that they may be places where faith is nurtured and where we may learn to live our new lives in holiness and righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our leaders, that they would serve their people and promote peace, so that many may seek the Lord where He is found, in the sanctuary of His Church, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for our risen Christ, the firstfruits from the dead, who has secured forgiveness for our troubled consciences; that He would also bless with temporal health those who suffer [especially _____________]; and that He would grant us aid not only in this moment, but also true, immortal health in the world to come, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the faithful reception of Christ’s very body and blood, that by His Holy Spirit, what we receive with our lips we may keep in holy hearts and show forth in holy lives, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for the mighty saints of old and for their witness preserved through the ages, that with them we would faithfully await the day when we are received into God’s everlasting presence to the life that death cannot end, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
These things and whatever else You know that we need, kind Father, grant us for the sake of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 709 The King of Love My Shepherd Is
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Third Sunday of Easter (One-Year) and Easter 4 (Series A, B and C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 168 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
The King of Love My Shepherd Is — Historical TLH Edition
Historical text notice: This is the public-domain text of The Lutheran Hymnal 431, not the Lutheran Service Book 709 text. Wording and stanza form may differ.
1. The King of Love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.
2. Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.
3. Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid
And home, rejoicing, brought me.
4. In death’s dark vale I fear no ill,
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.
5. Thou spreadst a table in my sight,
Thy unction grace bestoweth;
And, oh! the transport of delight
With which my cup o’erfloweth.
6. And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever!
by Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877
Source: Project Wittenberg; The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn 431 (opens in a new tab). Public domain. Project Wittenberg permits distribution, copying and printing.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 548 Thanks to Thee, O Christ, Victorious
- Distribution LSB 628 Your Table I Approach
- Distribution LSB 710 The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want
- Distribution LSB 633 At The Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
- Closing LSB 473 Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets Us Free
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — One-Year Lectionary Series 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.