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April 26, 2026
See TodayFourth Sunday of Easter
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
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Isaiah 40:25–31 or Lam. 3:22–33 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Isaiah 40:25–31
25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. 27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Lam. 3:22–33
22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. 29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. 30 He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. 31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever: 32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. 33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 147:1–11 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
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- Epistle
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1 Peter 2:11–20 or 1 John 3:1–3 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 Peter 2:11–20
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1 John 3:1–3
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
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- Gospel
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John 16:16–22 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
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Fourth Sunday of Easter
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
Those Who Wait on the Lord Shall Rejoice
The people of God are pilgrims and sojourners in this world, looking ahead to a destination yet to come (1 Peter 2:11–20). Though we are now children of God, the fullness of what we shall be has not yet been revealed (1 John 3:1–3). We are those who wait on the Lord. “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (Lam. 3:25). Jesus tells us that the wait is just a little while. “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me” (John 16:16). Though you must experience sorrow for a time, though you must live as strangers in a world that is at enmity with Christ, yet your sorrow will be turned to joy when He returns. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Is. 40:31). The little while of weeping shall be replaced with an eternity of rejoicing in the presence of Christ the crucified and risen Savior. “And no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22).
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 — Third Sunday after Easter (Jubilate)
ALMIGHTY God, Who showest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 26, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Merciful Lord, You have shown us a generous heart and taught us it is more blessed to give than to receive. Accept our gratitude for Your mercies and tender care in time of need. Receive now the gifts of our hands with our voices raised in thanksgiving and praise. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Preserve Your Church, O Lord, from every sorrow and mockery of the enemy. In this little while between Christ’s resurrection and our own, do not let the threats of persecution, loss or discomfort turn us from the joy and confidence of His redemption. Sustain all preachers faithful to their calling, all confessors steadfast in their trials, and all Christians firm in the faith for life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of comfort, give hope to Your people in the midst of this world of death and despair. Put Your Spirit within us to believe, to live and to serve according to Your promises and commands. Lead our homes to confess our confidence in Your power to raise the dead — now and at the Last Day. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, it is Your will that every human institution exercise the authority You give from above to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good. Give us good government, under which we may honor everyone, love the brotherhood and fear God. Above all, let our subjection be offered always for Your sake as sojourners and exiles in this world, and if we must endure suffering, let it be borne mindful of You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, on the day when this little while ends, we will ask nothing. Now, in every need, we are bold to ask everything in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Mediator. Hear our supplications and intercessions for every need [especially _____________]. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, grant grace to all who approach Your holy altar today, that they would receive this sacramental mystery worthily, the new testament of our divine Redeemer, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, You have heard the cries of Your people. You have delivered the martyr from defeat and the saints to everlasting life. Wipe away the tears from Your grieving people. Raise us to joy in the promise of the resurrection and the life death cannot steal. We acknowledge before You the saints who love You and serve You faithfully. We pray that You would bring us with them into the joy of Your presence forevermore. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and 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 26, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for God’s mercies and tender care, which are new every morning, and that He would receive the offerings of our hands and voices, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that God would preserve her from every sorrow and mockery of the enemy; that in this little while between Christ’s resurrection and our own, the threats of persecution, loss or discomfort would not turn us from the joy and confidence of His redemption; and that He would sustain all preachers faithful to their calling, all confessors steadfast in their trials, and all Christians firm in the faith for life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For hope in the midst of this world of death and despair; that God would put His Spirit within us to believe, to live and to serve according to His promises and commands; and that He would lead our homes to confess confidence in His power to raise the dead — now and at the Last Day, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For every human institution, that according to God’s will, each would exercise the authority He gives from above to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good; for good government, under which we may honor everyone, love the brotherhood and fear God; and for us, that our subjection would be offered always for Christ’s sake as sojourners and exiles in this world, and that any suffering we must endure would be borne mindful of Him, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In supplication and intercession for every need, [especially for _____________,] asking for everything in the name of Christ, our Mediator, until the Last Day when we will ask for nothing, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who approach God’s holy altar today, that He would grant them grace to receive this sacramental mystery worthily, the new testament of our divine Redeemer, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for the saints who love and serve the Lord faithfully, and that God would bring us with them into the joy of His presence forevermore, wiping away the tears of His grieving people and raising us to joy in life that death cannot destroy, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and 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 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 483 With High Delight Let Us Unite
- Distribution LSB 602 The Gifts Christ Freely Gives
- Distribution LSB 737 Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing
- Distribution LSB 488 He Is Arisen! Glorious Word
- Closing LSB 818 In Thee Is Gladness
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.