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September 14, 2026
See TodayProper 19
· Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Gen. 50:15–21 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Psalm
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Psalm 103:1–12 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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Rom. 14:1–12 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Matt. 18:21–35 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Proper 19
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Forgiving as the Lord Forgives Us
In settling His accounts with us, our Lord acts not with anger, but with compassion. He does not imprison us as we deserve, but He forgives all our debts and releases us (Matt. 18:23–27). Therefore, our Lord bids each of us to have “mercy on your fellow servant” and “forgive your brother from your heart” (Matt. 18:33, 35). By the Lord’s forgiveness of our sins, we are free to forgive those who sin against us, because He has been handed over to the jailers in our stead and He has paid our entire debt with His lifeblood. Whether we live or die, we “are the Lord’s” (Rom. 14:8). Since we all will “stand before the judgment seat of God,” we are not to despise our brother (Rom. 14:10), but gladly forgive him. By the grace of God, our brother also “will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Rom. 14:4). Though we daily sin against each other, the Lord intends “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive” (Gen. 50:20). Jesus speaks kindly by His Gospel and promises: “I will provide for you and your little ones” (Gen. 50:21).
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 NKJV 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 13, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Gracious King, we stand in need of Your mercy. Spare us those punishments which we, by our sins, have deserved. Soften our hearts toward one another, that we would share in the forgiveness You deliver to us today. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We give You thanks, heavenly Father, for the reconciliation You have given us through Christ. Bless our Synod and those who lead it, including Matthew, our Synod president; our Synod’s Board of Directors; and all others who have been called to serve, that we may be united in witnessing to Your love in Christ Jesus. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, You have commanded us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us and to pray for those who persecute us. Lead all enemies of Your Church to true repentance, that they may know the truth of Your Word, confess Christ as the only way of salvation, and finally have a share in the eternal life that He has prepared for all who trust in Him. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You sent the greater Joseph, Christ Jesus, to forgive His murderous brothers. Build our homes upon that same mercy, that in them brother and sister, husband and wife, parent and child may live together in peace and give witness to the glory of God’s gracious ways. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty Lord, You brought Joseph to rule and shepherd Egypt. Raise up new Josephs among us. Clothe them with Your wisdom and might to forgive their enemies, convert the wicked and preserve order in a fallen world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of life and death, You are master of all goods and ills in this life, and You hold in Your hands all who suffer in the fellowship of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Comfort them, [as well as _____________,] and let us confess that, whether we live or die, we belong to You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Lord, lead us to pursue reconciliation, that we may stand before You forgiven and united in faith. Give us unity of doctrine, and help us to walk together in harmony of life. Prepare us to receive the Holy Communion with faith, and bring to fruition in our lives the precious gift of grace we receive in His body and blood. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Master, You are always ready to forgive, though we deserve only punishment. Press the proclamation of this eager love deeply into our hearts, that we, too, may sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us; for You live and reign with the Father 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 13, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For hearts softened by the forgiveness of God, that we may gladly serve and forgive one another, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our Synod and all who lead it, including Matthew, our Synod president, and our Synod’s Board of Directors, that they and we may be united in witnessing to the love of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the enemies of the Church, that they may be led to true repentance, confess Christ as the only way of salvation, and finally have a share in the eternal life He has prepared for all who trust in Him, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For likeness to our brother Christ Jesus, the greater Joseph, who extended pardon to His murderous brothers, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, parents and children, that our homes may give witness to the glory of God’s gracious ways, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That God would raise up new Josephs among us, clothed with His wisdom and might, to forgive their enemies, convert the wicked and preserve order in a fallen world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who suffer in this life, [including _____________,] that they would find comfort in Christ who is Lord of goods and ills alike, even of life and death, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the gift of reconciliation, that we may stand before God forgiven and united in faith, doctrine and life; and for the faithful reception of Christ’s Holy Communion, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Merciful Master, You are always ready to forgive, though we deserve only punishment. Press the proclamation of this eager love deeply into our hearts, that we, too, may sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us; for You live and reign with the Father 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 501 Come Down, O Love Divine
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 19 (Series A).
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 788 Forgive Us, Lord, for Shallow Thankfulness
- Distribution LSB 697 Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death
- Distribution LSB 628 Your Table I Approach
- Closing LSB 845 Where Charity and Love Prevail
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.