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Explore the readings, prayers, hymns and seasons that form Christian life week by week.
July 19, 2026
See TodayProper 11
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 44:6–8 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 119:57–64 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
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- Epistle
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Rom. 8:18–27 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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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. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
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- Gospel
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Matt. 13:24–30, 36–43 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
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Proper 11
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Word of the Gospel Bestows the Righteousness of Christ and Brings Forth Faith
The good Seed, which is “the Son of Man,” Jesus Himself (Matt. 13:37), brings forth a harvest of faith and bears good fruits in “the sons of the kingdom” (Matt. 13:38). Whatever is sown apart from His Word is of the devil, who plants the weeds of unbelief and sin, even among the people of God. Thankfully, the Lord is patient and He does not uproot the weeds, lest the plants also be destroyed. He lets “both grow together until the harvest” (Matt. 13:30), while He continues to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins. Thus, He preserves His Church in righteousness, because He alone is “the King of Israel and his Redeemer” (Is. 44:6). Since all things are in His gracious care and keeping, “fear not, nor be afraid” (Is. 44:8). For “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God” (Rom. 8:19), and in this hope we also wait with patience. Though we do not yet see it, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Rom. 8:26) and, in truth, “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).
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
- Gradual (seasonal)
- Romans 11:33, 36 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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 July 19, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
The whole earth is Yours, O Lord, and You have charged us with its care. Make us good stewards of Your creation until that time when You set it free from its bondage to decay and give it to us anew in the kingdom of Your Son. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, continue to raise up witnesses in this and every place who faithfully proclaim Your Word. Grant that Your Church may remain good soil, bringing forth an abundant harvest. Bless all pastors and church workers as they sow Your Word in the fields entrusted to them. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, pour out the blessing of Your Holy Spirit on the delegates who are assembled in convention this week. Give wisdom to those who propose, deliberate and decide for the work and welfare of our Synod. Guard all who speak and all who listen. Give us courage to do with integrity what we promise. Bless our plans and actions, and grant success. Only let our manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gentle Lord, visit the homes of Your people, that they may be places where faith is nurtured and where we learn to live our new lives in holiness and righteousness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving God, we thank You for the gift of health. Hear our prayers on behalf of the sick, the aged, the infirm, the mourning or the dying [especially _____________]. Grant them healing in accord with Your will and grace to sustain them in their need. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, preserve us in hope for what we do not see. Grant that we would receive Your Holy Supper with hearts free from pride, presumption or any other sin that would profane His precious body and blood. May we rejoice in His bodily presence for our forgiveness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Redeemer and Lord of hosts, the future is in Your hands. Remove all fear from us, and keep us mindful that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We entrust all these petitions to Your care, loving Father, confident in Your great mercy for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who is worshiped together 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 July 19, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faithful stewardship of all creation, that we may care for it until the Lord sets it free from its bondage to decay and gives it to us anew in His kingdom, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that she may remain good soil that brings forth an abundant harvest, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For pastors, that they may sow Your Word faithfully in the fields entrusted to them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the delegates who are assembled in convention this week, that God would give them wisdom to work for the welfare of our Synod; that He would guard the lips of those who speak and the ears of those who hear; that He would give us courage to do with integrity what we promise; and that, according to His will, He would bless and prosper the plans and actions undertaken in His name, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all Christian homes, that they may be places where faith is nurtured and where we may learn to live our new lives in holiness and righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick, aged, infirm, mourning or dying, [especially _____________,] that they would be given healing in accord with God’s will and grace to sustain them in their need, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who receive the Lord’s Supper, that we may come with hearts free of pride, presumption or any profaning sin; and that, hoping for what we do not see, we may receive His forgiveness and life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For certainty that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
To Him 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 — 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 772 In Holy Conversation
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 11 (Series A).
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 894 For the Fruits of His Creation
- Distribution LSB 564 Christ Sits at God’s Right Hand
- Distribution LSB 629 What Is This Bread
- Closing LSB 924 Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
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.