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August 2, 2026
See TodayProper 13
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 55:1–5 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 136:1–9 (23–26) (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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Rom. 9:1–5 (6–13) (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Gospel
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Matt. 14:13–21 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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Proper 13
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Christ Jesus, the Living Bread from Heaven, Feeds the Children of God
By the Gospel of “the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever” (Rom. 9:5), we are “the children of God” (Rom. 9:8), “not because of works but because of him who calls” (Rom. 9:11). Therefore, “listen diligently” and “hear, that your soul may live.” By His sacrificial death in His flesh and blood, He has made “an everlasting covenant” for us. Since He now calls us to Himself, we come to Him “and eat what is good, and delight … in rich food” (Is. 55:2–3). He has come with divine compassion to save us from sin and death and to feed us with Himself. As our Lord Jesus once took bread, “said a blessing,” broke the loaves, “and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds” (Matt. 14:18–19), He also now takes bread, blesses it by His Word to be His very body, and distributes it to His Church by the hand of His called and ordained servants. Just as “they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces,” there is more than enough for His whole Church to eat and to be satisfied (Matt. 14:20).
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 ESV 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 August 2, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Gracious Lord, You have made us children of the promise on account of Your Son. Let Your promises continue to go to the ends of the earth, and incline the ears of all to You, that their souls may live. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
You call us to come to You and be satisfied, O Lord. Bless pastors, church workers and all the baptized, that their service to You may be faithful and fruitful. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, Your Son miraculously fed the 5,000 and satisfied them. We thank You for all You provide to support our bodies and lives, especially our homes and families. Make us content with what You give, that we may not covet or turn elsewhere for what comes from Your hand alone. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father, daily You bless us with abundance and freedom. Bless those who defend us from our enemies, who serve us in government and who protect us in our communities. Be with our president, Congress, governor, and our judges and magistrates, that they may discern the right path and lead us with honor and integrity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, visit us in Your compassion. Deliver the sick from their infirmity, the troubled from their afflictions, the grieving from their sorrow and the dying from their fear [especially _____________]. May all who cry to You receive grace according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, as Your Son fed the crowd with bread and meat, so also today He feeds us His body and blood. Let us receive these worthily, trusting in Your promise of forgiveness, that we may be strengthened in faith toward You and in love toward others. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, Your steadfast love and mercy are forever, but our faith is daily tested and tempted. Give us strength and endurance, that we may not despair but have confidence in Your sufficient grace within Your Word and Sacraments. 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 — 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 August 2, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all unbelievers, that the Lord might incline their ears to Him so that they, too, might become children of the promise on account of His Son, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For pastors, church workers and all the baptized, that they may serve faithfully the Lord who has called them to His service, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In gratitude for all God provides for our bodies and lives, especially our homes and families; and that we might not covet or turn elsewhere for what comes from His hand alone, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who serve us in government and protect us in our communities, that they may discern the right path and lead us with honor and integrity, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick, troubled, grieving and dying, that they may receive grace according to God’s merciful will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For worthy reception of Christ’s body and blood, fed as Christ fed the crowd with bread and meat, that we may trust in the promise of forgiveness and be strengthened in faith and love, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For strength and endurance, that we may not despair but have confidence in our Father’s steadfast love, 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 — 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 642 O Living Bread from Heaven
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 13 (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 641 You Satisfy the Hungry Heart
- Distribution LSB 625 Lord Jesus Christ, Life-Giving Bread
- Distribution LSB 633 At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
- Closing LSB 774 Feed Thy Children, God Most Holy
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.