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October 24, 2026
Proper 25
· Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Lev. 19:1–2, 15–18 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
The Lord Is Holy
19:1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.
(ESV)
15 “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.
17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
(ESV)
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- Psalm
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Psalm 1 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
Book One
The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
1:1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.(ESV)
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- Epistle
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1 Thess. 2:1–13 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians
2:1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
(ESV)
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- Gospel
-
Matt. 22:34–46 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
The Great Commandment
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Whose Son Is the Christ?
41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,
44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet”’?
45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
(ESV)
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Proper 25
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
In Divine and Holy Love, the Lord Jesus Sanctifies Us by the Gospel of His Cross
The people of God are to be holy as He is holy. Therefore, we should fear, love and trust in Him above all things, and in such faith “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). Such faith toward God and love for the neighbor are the two great commandments upon which “depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:40). The Lord, our God Himself, has fulfilled His Law on our behalf — in His great love for us, with all His heart and soul and mind, and in a body of flesh and blood like ours. David’s Lord has become David’s Son, so that all our enemies might be put under His feet and that we might be exalted to the right hand of God in Him (Matt. 22:43–45). So His servants bear His cross in faith and love. For the sake of the Gospel, they suffer persecution for their work, bearing their burdens in gentleness, “like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (1 Thess. 2:7). In like manner and with tender affection, they exhort and encourage “like a father with his children” (1 Thess. 2:11–12).
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 91:11, 103:1 (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 October 29, 2023 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Faithful and true God, You have set us free from sin by the blood of Your Son. Grant that we would love You with all our heart, all our soul and all our mind, and that we would love our neighbor as ourselves. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of truth, You alone test all hearts. Bless those who bear Your Gospel, that they would speak not to please men but to please You. Preserve them from error, impunity and any attempt to deceive. Grant that those who hear them receive it as Your Word, working life and salvation in them. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of all, Your works are beyond number. Bless parents as they recount these wondrous deeds to their children, that all may give You thanks with their whole heart. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, You are a stronghold for the oppressed. Remember those who put their trust in You and who suffer for the sake of Jesus. Give them comfort and strength to withstand all trouble, and preserve them in the joy of Your salvation until Your deliverance comes. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, You do not forsake those who seek You. Look with kindness on all who cry to You for help and deliverance [especially _____________]. Restore them to soundness and strength according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You command Your people to be holy, and You make them holy in Christ. Gather them to the Holy Communion this day in repentance and faith, that they may receive His body and blood for their righteousness and salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
In Your faithfulness, O God, You have delivered Your saints into Your kingdom. Encourage us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling until we stand with them before Your throne. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God 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 29, 2023 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That we may love God with all our heart, all our soul and all our mind, and that we may love our neighbor as ourselves, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who bear the Gospel, that they would be preserved holy and righteous, blameless, and free from all error or deceit; and for all who hear, that they may receive it as Your Word, working life and salvation in them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For parents, that God would strengthen them to recount His wondrous deeds to their children to the thanks and praise of His goodness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who suffer for the sake of Jesus, that their Stronghold would comfort and preserve them in the joy of His salvation until His deliverance comes, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who seek the Lord for help, [especially _____________,] that God would not forsake their cries but restore them to soundness and strength, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who partake of the Holy Communion, that by it Christ would sanctify them through faith and through His body and blood, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for all the saints whom our Lord has delivered into His kingdom, that we may be encouraged to walk in a manner worthy of our calling until we stand with them forever, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Rejoicing in His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and 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
LSB 411 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 25 (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.
LSB 579 The Law of God Is Good and Wise
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 25 (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 700 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
- Distribution LSB 694 Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower
- Distribution LSB 705 The Man Is Ever Blessed
- Closing LSB 411 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
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.