Live in the rhythm of the Church Year.
Explore the readings, prayers, hymns and seasons that form Christian life week by week.
September 13, 2026
See TodayFifteenth Sunday after Trinity
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
-
1 Kings 17:8–16 (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.
8 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Psalm
-
Psalm 146 (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 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Epistle
-
Gal. 5:25–6:10 (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.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Gospel
-
Matt. 6:24–34 (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.
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
Anxious Bondage vs. Confident Trust
“You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24–34), for they require two contrary forms of service. Worry is the worship given to the false god of mammon, an unbelieving anxiousness and focus on the things of this world. Faith is the worship of the true God, a confident trust that He is a loving Father who will care for all of our needs in both body and soul. The widow of Zarephath served God— that is, she believed the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah that the bin of flour would not be used up nor would the jar of oil run dry (1 Kings 17:8–16). He who feeds the birds and clothes the flowers will certainly provide for our daily needs. For He has already provided for our eternal needs, clothing us with Christ’s righteousness in Baptism and feeding us His body and blood for our forgiveness. With such confidence we are liberated from worry and freed to do good with our material resources, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 5:25–6:10).
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 — Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
O LORD, we beseech Thee; Let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Thy succor, preserve it evermore by Thy help and goodness; 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 September 13, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Heavenly Father, You see how this world, its money, its clothing and its possessions tempt us to worry and doubt, yet You know all our needs of body and soul and promise to care for us. Call us by Your Gospel to entrust everything into Your sure hands. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, You have poured out Your Spirit on Your Church, that the Gospel of Your kingdom would be believed throughout the world. Bless the proclamation of Your Word by the pastors and missionaries You have sent, that many would hear and believe. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, we give You thanks for the institution of holy marriage and the myriad blessings of family. Grant that these gifts would be cherished and honored in our society and especially in the Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly King, You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us good government and faithful rulers, while reminding us always that all provision comes from You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, according to Your will give power to the faint and increase the strength of the sick and afflicted [especially _____________]. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Increase our faith, O Lord, and grant that all who come to Your Supper may come in repentance, seeking Your forgiveness, and in the unity of a true confession. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father in heaven, You sustained Elijah and Your saints of old through weal and woe, plenty and scarcity. Inspire us in the light of their faith to walk through all circumstances until we join them at Your unending banquet. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Giving God, Your all-sufficient generosity will provide every need in time and eternity. Increase our faith. Still our anxious hearts. Call us to share the blessings of this world in view of Your promises in the world to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We know that these petitions are pleasing to You, heavenly Father, and that You hear them for the sake of Christ Jesus, 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 September 13, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who worry or doubt, that the Gospel would silence these temptations and call them to entrust money, clothing, possessions and every need to His perfect care, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all pastors and missionaries, that by the Holy Spirit the Gospel of God’s kingdom would be heard and believed throughout the world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the institution of holy marriage and the blessings of family, that these gifts would be cherished and honored in our society and especially in the Church, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For good government and faithful rulers; and for a pervading trust in God, from whom all provision comes, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and afflicted, [especially _____________,] that our merciful Father would give His power to the faint and increase their strength, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all communicants, that they may come to the Lord’s Supper in repentance and faith, seeking Christ’s forgiveness in the unity of a true confession, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faith inspired by that of Elijah and the saints of old, that we also would serve our Lord through weal and woe until we join them at His unending banquet, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faith in the all-sufficient generosity of our heavenly Father, that we would freely share the blessings of this world in view of His promises in the world to come, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
We know that these petitions are pleasing to You, heavenly Father, and that You hear them for the sake of Christ Jesus, 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 760 What God Ordains Is Always Good
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Fifteenth 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 725 Children of the Heavenly Father
- Distribution LSB 719 I Leave All Things to God’s Direction
- Distribution LSB 737 Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing
- Distribution LSB 745 In God, My Faithful God
- Closing TLH 598 Who Knows when Death May Overtake Me
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.