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October 25, 2026
See TodayReformation Day
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Rev. 14:6–7 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
- Psalm
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Psalm 46 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
- Epistle
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Rom. 3:19–28 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
- Gospel
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Matt. 11:12–19 or John 8:31–36 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Matt. 11:12–19
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
John 8:31–36
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Reformation Day
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace
“Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matt. 11:19), and the true wisdom of God, Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son, justifies us by His deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, in order that we may eat and drink with Him in His Kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35). He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 11:18–19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death. By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Rev. 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Rom. 3:21), “that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). And by the hearing of that Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Rom. 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).
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
Reviewed Introit, Gradual and Verse citations have not yet been published in the Toolbox for this service.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for October 31, 2023 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, sustain Your Church. Deliver her from error and preserve in her the proclamation of Your Gospel, that it would resound to every nation, tribe, people and language and that all may fear and give You glory. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, bless all ministers of Your Word. Help them rightly to preach Your Law so that all are held accountable to You without excuse and joyfully proclaim Your Gospel, that all would know Jesus Christ as their Savior. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, look with compassion on all who are blind to the bondage of their sin. Open their eyes by the words of Jesus, and grant them the true freedom of sonship and a permanent place in Your household. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, make us truly Your disciples. Keep us in Your Word, free us from all errors, and make our homes and families peaceful. Preserve all fathers and encourage them for their godly task, that children would be brought up in the fear and instruction of the Lord. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, bless all civil authorities, especially our president; Congress; and all who make, administer and judge our laws. Protect them from the temptations that beset their offices, and grant them wisdom and courage to serve with integrity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, be near to all who cry to You for healing of body and soul [especially _____________]. Grant them release from their afflictions according to Your will. Sustain their hope in the full and final healing that awaits them at the day of Christ’s appearing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, bless all who come to the altar to partake of Christ’s own body and blood for the forgiveness of their sins. Grant them repentant hearts that seek to amend their lives, and by Your Spirit align them with Your will and purpose. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, we give You thanks for all Your servants who have departed this life in faith. We especially bless You today for the great reformers of Your Church who call us back to the Gospel and to the righteousness we have in Christ alone. Keep us in fellowship with them, and bring us at last to our heavenly home to see our Redeemer face to face; through the same 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 2022–2023 (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 October 31, 2023 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that God would deliver her from error and preserve in her the proclamation of the Gospel, and that all would fear the Lord and give Him glory, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all ministers of the Word, that by their preaching of the Law all would be held accountable to God without excuse, and that by their proclamation of the Gospel all would know Jesus Christ as their Savior, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who are blind to the bondage of their sin, that God would open their eyes by the words of Jesus and grant them the true freedom of sonship through a permanent place in His household, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our homes and families, that God would keep us in His Word and so make us truly His disciples, freed from errors and at peace; and especially for all fathers, that God would preserve and encourage them for their godly task to bring up children who fear Him, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the civil authorities, especially our president; Congress; and all who make, administer and judge our laws, that God would protect them from the temptations that beset their offices and grant them wisdom and courage to serve with integrity, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who cry to God for healing of body and soul, [especially _____________,] that He would grant them release from their afflictions according to His will and sustain their hope until the day of Christ’s appearing, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who come to Christ’s altar seeking the forgiveness of sins, that with repentant hearts they may receive His gifts, seek to amend their lives, and by His Spirit be aligned with His will and purpose, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, we give You thanks for all Your servants who have departed this life in faith. We especially bless You today for the great reformers of Your Church who call us back to the Gospel and to the righteousness we have in Christ alone. Keep us in fellowship with them, and bring us at last to our heavenly home and the joy of seeing our Redeemer face to face; through the same 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 2022–2023 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
Hymn of the Day — A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB 656 or 657)
Lutheran Service Book 656 or 657
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for First Sunday in Lent (One-Year), Reformation Day (One-Year and Series A, B and C) and Lent 1 (Series A, B and C). This record preserves the appointment identity only; it does not reproduce the Lutheran Service Book hymn text.
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 167, 171 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
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 656 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
- Distribution LSB 555 Salvation unto Us Has Come
- Distribution LSB 582 God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage
- Closing LSB 585 Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide
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.