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June 28, 2026
See TodayFourth Sunday after Trinity
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
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Gen. 50:15–21 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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15 And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. 16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, 17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 138 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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A Psalm of David.
1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
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- Epistle
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Rom. 8:18–23 or Rom. 12:14–21 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Rom. 8:18–23
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom. 12:14–21
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
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- Gospel
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Luke 6:36–42 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.
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Fourth Sunday after Trinity
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
Christ’s Mercy Is Ours to Show to Others
“Be merciful, even as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36–42). The old Adam in us wants to condemn and seek vengeance. But the Lord says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Rom. 12:14–21). To condemn, to avenge yourself, is to put yourself in the place of God. It is to fail to trust that He is just. Ultimately, it is to disbelieve that Jesus suffered the full vengeance for all wrongs. Only Christ is merciful as the Father is merciful. He is the one who overcame all evil with the good of His cross, forgiving even His executioners. Jesus is our Joseph, who comforts us with words of pardon and reconciliation (Gen. 50:15–21). He is the One who does not condemn but gives life that runs over. Only through faith in Christ are we sons of the Father—being merciful, forgiving, doing good to our enemies. For in Christ we know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:8–13).
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 — Fourth Sunday after Trinity
GRANT, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by Thy governance, that Thy Church may joyfully serve Thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, 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 June 28, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord God, heavenly Father, help us Your baptized children to be merciful as You are merciful, that we may measure others as You measure us in Christ — not counting their sins against them but forgiving them as You have forgiven us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, as Your mercy is poured out in rich measure, so open the mouths of all ministers in the Church to preach Your blessed and saving Gospel. Open the mouths of Christians to proclaim the marvels of Him who called us from darkness into His marvelous light. Let our works of mercy attest to the love we have received from You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord our God, You warn against hatred and grudges among brothers and sons. Watch over the households of Your people. Where there is strife or division, grant peace and reconciliation, that our homes might be havens of forgiveness and love. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of all, You raised up Joseph according to Your plan to exercise authority in Egypt, working good from what was meant only for evil. Work by Your power in the leaders and authorities of our nation, whom You have set in place, that many would be kept alive and protected in this life through their governance. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Receive the groanings of Your Church, dear Father, as we await the redemption of our bodies and the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Turn away the corruption of sin, the futility of our fallen state, and every ill of body and soul. [We pray especially for _____________.] Comfort us in the midst of these sufferings with the certain hope of Your incomparable glory, which at last will be revealed in us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, forgive our sins and bind us together in Holy Communion, that we may live in harmony with one another and, as far as it depends on us, live peaceably with all. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, You are merciful and through Christ have promised that You will neither judge nor condemn us, but graciously forgive all our sins and abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul. By Your Holy Spirit, establish in our hearts a confident faith in Your mercy. Teach us in turn to be merciful to our neighbor, that we may not judge or condemn others, but willingly forgive all and, judging only ourselves, lead blessed lives in Your fear; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, 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 June 28, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all baptized children of the Father, that we would be merciful as He is merciful, measure others as He measures us in Christ, and not count their sins against them, but forgive as He has forgiven us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that the Lord would pour out His mercy in rich measure; for all ministers, that their mouths would be opened to preach the saving Gospel; for all Christians, that their mouths would be opened to proclaim the marvels of Christ who called us from darkness into His marvelous light; and that all works of mercy would attest to His love, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For peace and reconciliation among families, that God would visit divided and troubled homes, clear away hatred and grudges, and make them havens of forgiveness and love, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our nation’s authorities, whom God has set in place, that as He raised up Joseph to work good even from what was meant for evil, so He would work through our leaders to keep many alive and protected in this life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the members of Christ, groaning as we await the redemption of our bodies and the freedom of the glory of the children of God, that He would turn away the corruption of sin, the futility of our fallen state, and every ill of body and soul; and for _____________, that He would give comfort in suffering through the certain hope of His incomparable glory, which will be revealed in us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who commune this day, that in Holy Communion we may receive the forgiveness of sins and be bound together to live in harmony with one another and, as far as it depends on us, live peaceably with all, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Lord God, heavenly Father, You are merciful and through Christ have promised that You will neither judge nor condemn us, but graciously forgive all our sins and abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul. By Your Holy Spirit, establish in our hearts a confident faith in Your mercy. Teach us in turn to be merciful to our neighbor, that we may not judge or condemn others, but willingly forgive all and, judging only ourselves, lead blessed lives in Your fear; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, 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 696 O God, My Faithful God
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Fourth Sunday after Trinity (One-Year) and Proper 15 (Series B).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 168, 169 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 913 O Holy Spirit, Enter In
- Distribution LSB 613 To Thee, Omniscient Lord of All
- Distribution LSB 606 I Lay My Sins on Jesus
- Distribution LSB 869 With the Lord Begin Your Task
- Closing LSB 704 Renew Me, O Eternal Light
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.