Live in the rhythm of the Church Year.
Explore the readings, prayers, hymns and seasons that form Christian life week by week.
April 25, 2026
See TodayEaster 3
· Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
-
Acts 2:14a, 36–41 (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.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
- Psalm
-
Psalm 116:1–14 (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.
1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
- Epistle
-
1 Peter 1:17–25 (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.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
- Gospel
-
Luke 24:13–35 (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.
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
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.