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Proper 20

September 20, 2026 · Three-Year Lectionary · Series A

First Reading: Isaiah 55:6–9 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)

KJV Scripture text

⁶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. ⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Psalm: Psalm 27:1–9 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)

KJV Scripture text

A Psalm of David.

¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

³ Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

⁴ One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

⁵ For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

⁶ And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

⁷ Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

⁸ When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

⁹ Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Epistle: Phil. 1:12–14, 19–30 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)

KJV Scripture text

¹² But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; ¹³ So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; ¹⁴ And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

¹⁹ For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. ²³ For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: ²⁴ Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. ²⁵ And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; ²⁶ That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. ²⁷ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. ²⁹ For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; ³⁰ Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Gospel: Matt. 20:1–16 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)

KJV Scripture text

¹ For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. ² And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. ³ And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, ⁴ And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. ⁵ Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. ⁶ And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? ⁷ They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. ⁸ So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. ⁹ And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. ¹⁰ But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. ¹¹ And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, ¹² Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. ¹³ But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? ¹⁴ Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. ¹⁵ Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? ¹⁶ So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Proper 20

Three-Year Lectionary · Series A

About this service

Disciples Live in Their Vocations by Grace through Faith in Christ

Those who are sent as “laborers for his vineyard” (Matt. 20:1) depict the wide diversity of vocations to which the disciples of Christ Jesus are called. Whatever our particular stations in life may be, we are called to live and serve by faith in His promises. Our labors do not merit anything before Him, for He is already generous to one and all without partiality. In mercy, He has chosen to bear “the burden of the day and the scorching heat” on our behalf, to make us equal to Himself and to give us what belongs to Him, that is, the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 20:12–15). This way of the Lord is foolishness to the world and foreign to our thoughts, but He draws near, so that “he may be found” (Is. 55:6), “have compassion” and “abundantly pardon” (Is. 55:7). So it is that we are found in Christ Jesus, and He is honored in our bodies, “whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20), by “fruitful labor” (Phil. 1:22) or by suffering. It is by faith in His forgiveness that our works are “worthy of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).

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

Introit: Psalm 116:12–13, 15–16 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
Antiphon: Psalm 116:17 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
Gradual (seasonal): Psalm 34:9, 19 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
Verse: Ephesians 2:8 (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 September 20, 2026 — Responsive Form

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Divine Master, Your ways are high above the ways of men. You put the last first, abundantly pardon sinners and make death great gain for Your servants. Enlighten our hearts with this wisdom from Your Word, that we may lead fruitful lives in the midst of a foolish world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, keep us all ever mindful that it is only by Your grace we are included in Your kingdom and privileged to serve in it. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God of life and death, whether we live or die, we are Yours. Embolden Your Church to honor You with our bodies in this life, that we may also depart this life in faith to be with Christ, which is far better. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious God, bless this nation and all people in their rightful callings. Grant that we may serve our neighbors in love, and that all authorities would exercise their callings with humility and wisdom on behalf of the defenseless. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, have mercy on all Your servants who are sick, depressed, lonely, ignored, shut in or in hospice care [especially _____________]. Guard them and keep their faith strong, that they may know with certainty that to live is Christ and to die is gain. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Lord, Your Son’s body and blood provides us a foretaste of the feast to come. Bless the pastors who serve us these sacred mysteries. Strengthen all who commune today through the forgiveness of sins You bestow. Nourish all who are still being instructed, and bring them soon to Your table. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, 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 20, 2026 — Ektene Form

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For wisdom from the Word of God, that we may lead fruitful lives in the midst of a foolish world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That we would learn to become like our divine Master, who puts the last first, pardons sinners and works death into great gain for His servants, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who serve in the Lord’s kingdom, that we would be ever mindful that it is only by grace we are privileged to serve in it, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That Christ would be honored in our bodies, whether by life as we serve Him without fear, or by departing this life to be with Him, which is far better, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For this nation, that the Lord would bless all people in their callings and in service to their neighbors; and for all authorities, that they would serve on behalf of the defenseless, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those who are sick, depressed, lonely, ignored, shut in or in hospice care, [especially _____________,] that God would keep them in the certainty that to live is Christ and to die is gain, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who commune this day, that they may receive our Savior’s body and blood in faith for the forgiveness of their sins, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For pastors who serve us these sacred mysteries, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those still being instructed, that they may be nourished in hope and come soon to the Lord’s table, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn of the Day

LSB 555 Salvation Unto Us Has Come

The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Septuagesima (One-Year), Reformation Day (One-Year and Series A, B and C) and Proper 20 (Series A).

Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 167, 169, 171 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.

Suggested hymns

Entrance LSB 566 By Grace I’m Saved
Distribution LSB 602 The Gifts Christ Freely Gives
Distribution LSB 853 How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord
Closing LSB 738 Lord of All Hopefulness

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.

Browse LCMS Hymn of the Day lists and studies