Live in the rhythm of the Church Year.
Explore the readings, prayers, hymns and seasons that form Christian life week by week.
July 12, 2026
See TodaySixth Sunday after Trinity
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
-
Ex. 20:1–17 (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 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Psalm
-
Psalm 19 (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.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Epistle
-
Rom. 6:(1–2) 3–11 (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 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Gospel
-
Matt. 5:(17–19) 20–26 (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 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
Sixth Sunday after Trinity
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
Our Only Hope Is in Christ’s Righteousness
“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:20). God demands nothing less than perfection and holiness from you in regard to His commandments (Ex. 20:1–17). Your only hope, then, is not in your own goodness but in the goodness of Christ, who did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them for you. In Christ, your righteousness does indeed exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. For you have been baptized into Christ’s death and your sinful nature crucified. Therefore, he who has died has been freed from sin (Rom. 6:1–11). You are now raised with Christ to walk in newness of life and to share in His resurrection on the Last Day. Christ has brought you through the baptismal sea “out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Ex. 20:2). Therefore, “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:11).
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 — Sixth Sunday after Trinity
LORD of all power and might, Who art the Author and Giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of Thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Thy great mercy keep us in the same; 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 July 12, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O God of all truth, goodness and beauty, teach us the truth of Your Word. Fill us with virtue and righteousness. Inspire in our hearts the adoration of Your glory, that we may always be one with You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father, You alone are our dwelling place and have given us order, peace and fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the faith. Bless and guide our Synod, its leaders, its organizations and our congregation, that we may honor and follow You above all else. Keep us faithful to the end even as You have preserved and strengthened us to this day. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, You gave the Law that we might know Your will and live as Your holy people. Increase in us true fear, love and trust in Your holy name and saving Word, that we may have no other gods but You. Guide and bless all fathers and mothers, pastors and teachers as they bring up children in the discipline and knowledge of the true faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, uphold Donald, our president; _____________, our governor; our legislatures and judges; our local leaders; and all who serve in our armed forces. Grant peace graciously, O Lord, in our time; for there is no other who fights for us but You only, O Lord, our God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, preserve us and all who call to You in any need [especially _____________]. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, You desire not the death of a sinner, but rather that he would turn from his evil way and live. We flee to Your mercy in Christ Jesus. Grant that we may ever thus believe and never waver. Grant that in such faith we may worthily go to Your altar to receive the very body and true blood that Your Son has given for our redemption, that we may ever praise, serve and honor You and Your Son. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Blessed are You, O Lord, for the gift of eternal life and for all who rest in their graves in the hope of the resurrection. You indeed have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we confess that we are poor, miserable sinners with no good in us. Our hearts and our flesh and blood are so corrupted by sin that we are never without sinful desires in this life. Therefore, we implore You, forgive us our sins. Let Your Holy Spirit so cleanse our hearts that we would love Your Word, abide by it and, by Your grace, be saved forever; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the same 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 July 12, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For Christian people as they ponder all truth, goodness and beauty, that they would learn the truth of God’s Word, be filled with virtue and righteousness, and be inspired to adore the glory of the Lord, and so always be one with Him, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our Synod, its leaders, its organizations and our congregation, that we may honor and follow God and dwell in Him from everlasting to everlasting, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all Christians, that God would increase in them true fear, love and trust in His saving name; and that we may have no other gods but Him, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all fathers and mothers, pastors and teachers, that God would guide and bless them as they bring up children in the discipline and knowledge of the true faith, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For Donald, our president; _____________, our governor; our legislatures and judges; our local leaders; and all who serve in our armed forces, that God would grant peace graciously in our time, since there is no other who fights for us but the Lord, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For ourselves and all who call to God in any need, [especially _____________,] let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who commune, that we would believe firmly that our God does not desire the death of sinners, but rather that they would turn from their evil way and live; and that, in such faith, we would worthily go to His altar to receive the very body and blood that Christ gave for our redemption, and so praise, serve and honor Him always, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for joy in the Lord’s gift of eternal life, that we, with the faithful dead who rest in the hope of the resurrection, may dwell in the Lord throughout all generations, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we confess that we are poor, miserable sinners with no good in us. Our hearts and our flesh and blood are so corrupted by sin that we are never without sinful desires in this life. Therefore, we implore You, forgive us our sins. Let Your Holy Spirit so cleanse our hearts that we would love Your Word, abide by it and, by Your grace, be saved forever; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the same 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 562 All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Sixth Sunday after Trinity (One-Year).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 169 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 590 Baptized into Your Name Most Holy
- Distribution LSB 579 The Law of God Is Good and Wise
- Distribution LSB 580 The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace
- Distribution LSB 563 Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness
- Closing LSB 574 Before the Throne of God Above
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.