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September 6, 2026
See TodayProper 18
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Ezek. 33:7–9 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 32:1–7 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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Rom. 13:1–10 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Matt. 18:1–20 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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Proper 18
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Living as Humble Little Children of the Father
True greatness is not self-sufficient strength, but humility like that of a little child. The greatness of childlike faith receives all good things as gracious gifts from our Father in heaven. Apart from such faith, “you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” but whoever is humbled like a little child will be “the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3–4). Though in our sin we deserve to be “drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6), we have instead been drowned (“buried”) with Christ in Baptism and then raised to the new, humble life of a child of God. The Lord sends His watchman to warn us with a word from His mouth, in order that we may not die in our iniquity but be turned from our pride and selfishness to live (Ezek. 33:7–9). Thus, we live in humility and faith before God as well as in love for our neighbor, which “is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10). In the reverent fear of God, we do no harm to our neighbor, but we “pay to all what is owed to them” (Rom. 13:7) and we “owe no one anything, except to love each other” (Rom. 13:8).
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)
- Psalm 34:9, 19 (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 September 6, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Blessed Lord, You have promised that where two or three are gathered in Your name, You are in the midst of them. Hear the prayers of Your people, and grant our supplications. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, grant courage to Your Church, that by our warning and witness sinners may come to repentance with faith, and so enjoy the forgiveness of their sins. Give Your people wisdom and strength by Your Spirit, that they may be steadfast and immovable in Your truth. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, we pray for all the little ones who believe in You [including _____________ (the youngest members of the congregation may be named)]. Keep them from sin. Through their parents, pastors and teachers, teach them Your truth and Your ways so they may grow up trusting Christ’s forgiveness and living as Your children. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You alone institute authority. Govern our lawmakers and rulers, that they may bear the sword as Your servants and according to Your command. Bless them with peaceable governance, that under them we may be guarded and directed in righteousness, quietness and unity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, look with compassion upon those who are struggling with illness, grief, loneliness or any malady [especially _____________]. Reassure them of Your love, which is like that of the shepherd who seeks and saves the one lost sheep. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, grant that we would receive Christ’s body and blood with childlike faith. Let us humbly trust that Your forgiveness is poured out for us in this Sacrament. May it strengthen us in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O almighty God, we confess that we are poor sinners and could not give an answer if You should contend with us. Yet do we thank You with all our hearts that You have taken our guilt from us and laid it upon Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, who has atoned for it. Graciously sustain us in this faith. Govern us by Your Holy Spirit, that we may live according to Your will in love and service to our neighbors. Do not let us give way to wrath or revenge, and so incur Your wrath, but let us always find in You a gracious Father; through 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 — 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 September 6, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that by our warning and witness sinners may come to repentance with faith, and so enjoy the forgiveness of their sins, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all Christians, that they may be steadfast and immovable in God’s truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all little ones, [including _____________ (the youngest members of the congregation may be named),] that they may be kept from sin and that their pastors, parents and teachers would teach them to trust in Christ’s forgiveness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who bear the sword, that they may bear it as God’s servants; and that under their peaceable governance Christ’s holy people may be guarded and directed in righteousness, quietness and unity, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the ill, grieving and lonely, [especially _____________,] that they may remember that the Good Shepherd, who loves them, seeks and saves the one lost sheep, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For childlike faith as we receive Christ’s body and blood, that it may strengthen us in faith toward God and in fervent love toward one another, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O almighty God, we confess that we are poor sinners and could not give an answer if You should contend with us. Yet do we thank You with all our hearts that You have taken our guilt from us and laid it upon Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, who has atoned for it. Graciously sustain us in this faith. Govern us by Your Holy Spirit, that we may live according to Your will in love and service to our neighbors. Do not let us give way to wrath or revenge, and so incur Your wrath, but let us always find in You a gracious Father; through 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 — 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 820 My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 18 (Series A) and Epiphany 7 (Series C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 167, 169 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 843 “Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive”
- Distribution LSB 608 Lord, to You I Make Confession
- Distribution LSB 851 Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us
- Closing LSB 847 Christ, Our Human Likeness Sharing
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.