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Explore the readings, prayers, hymns and seasons that form Christian life week by week.
April 19, 2026
See TodayEaster 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Acts 2:14a, 36–41 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 116:1–14 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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1 Peter 1:17–25 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Luke 24:13–35 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Easter 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Risen Lord Jesus Is with Us in Holy Baptism and in ‘the Breaking of the Bread’
From “before the foundation of the world” until heaven and earth pass away, “the word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Peter 1:20, 25). This “living and abiding word of God” is the preaching of Christ Jesus, namely that God “raised him from the dead and gave him glory” (1 Peter 1:21, 23). By this living word, we “have been born again” to eternal life (1 Peter 1:23) and ransomed from our sinful and mortal life “with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18–19). This living word also calls us to repentance, to dying and rising in Holy Baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). In this, we receive the Holy Spirit “for you and for your children and for all who are far off” (Acts 2:39). Through the preaching of His cross and resurrection, Jesus draws near to bring us “into his glory” (Luke 24:26). As He opens the Scriptures, He opens our minds to comprehend “the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27), and He brings us to know Him “in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24:35).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series A (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
- Introit
- Psalm 133
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (A) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
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.
God of all compassion, Your Spirit opens the Holy Scriptures to the hearts of Your people. Enlighten us by the resurrection light that never fades, that our hearts may burn in faith toward You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Blessed Lord, You have established Your Church so that Your promise of eternal life might be delivered to us, to our children and to all who are far off — to everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself. Grant us faithful pastors to proclaim repentance and forgiveness through Word and Sacrament. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, grant that Your Word may be the foundation of every Christian home; that husbands and wives may be united in faith and hope; and that children may hear and be nurtured in this Word by faithful parents. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, stifle the powers of darkness and end the reign of war, violence and terror. Give leaders who will seek peace and work for the common good. Instill in them a love of righteousness, and guide them in the pursuit of justice for all. Bless _____________, our president; the Congress of the United States; _____________, our governor; all state and local officials; all medical and emergency workers; and all members of the armed forces. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, You have not forgotten us in our afflictions or abandoned us in our weakness. Deliver the sick and suffering according to Your will, and give comfort to the dying, especially to those who have requested our prayers [including _____________]. Guard us against despair, and grant us patience in days of trouble as we await Your perfect healing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, Your compassion is made known to us through Your Son’s breaking of the bread. Open our hearts and mouths to receive forgiveness in the body and blood of Christ, who suffered for us and has entered into His glory. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, through the life, death and resurrection of Your Son, You have delivered our souls from death, our eyes from tears and our feet from stumbling. Comfort all who mourn with this truth, that they may not grieve as others do who have no such hope. 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 — Series A 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.
That the God of all compassion, whose Spirit opens the Holy Scriptures, would enlighten us with the resurrection light that never fades, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faithful pastors, that they would proclaim repentance and forgiveness through Word and Sacrament to those near and those far off — everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all Christian homes, that they may be grounded in God’s Word; and that husbands, wives and children may be united and nurtured in this Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our nation and the world, that the powers of darkness would be stifled and the reign of war, violence and terror come to an end; for our leaders, that they would work for the common good and pursue righteousness; for _____________, our president; the Congress of the United States; _____________, our governor; all state and local officials; all medical and emergency workers; and all members of the armed forces, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick, the suffering and the dying, [especially _____________,] that the Lord would deliver and comfort them, guard them against despair, and grant them patience in days of trouble as we await His perfect healing, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That we would know Christ and His compassion through the breaking of the bread; and that our hearts and mouths would be opened to receive forgiveness through the body and blood of Christ who suffered for us and has entered His glory, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who mourn, that Christ — who has delivered our souls from death; our eyes from tears; and our feet from stumbling by His life, death and resurrection — would comfort them by that truth, so that they would not grieve as others do who have no such hope, 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 — Series A 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 483 With High Delight Let Us Unite
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Fourth Sunday of Easter (One-Year) and Easter 3 (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.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 476 Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow
- Distribution LSB 879 Stay with Us
- Distribution LSB 631 Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face
- Closing LSB 603 We Know That Christ Is Raised
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series A 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.