Live in the rhythm of the Church Year.
Explore the readings, prayers, hymns and seasons that form Christian life week by week.
October 24, 2026
Proper 25
· Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Lev. 19:1–2, 15–18 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1The Lord said to Moses, 2“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.15“ ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.16“ ‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people.“ ‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.17“ ‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.18“ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
- Psalm
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Psalm 1 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1Blessed is the onewho does not walk in step with the wickedor stand in the way that sinners takeor sit in the company of mockers,2but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,and who meditates on his law day and night.3That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.4Not so the wicked!They are like chaffthat the wind blows away.5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.6For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
- Epistle
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1 Thess. 2:1–13 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7Instead, we were like young childrena among you.Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.13And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
- Gospel
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Matt. 22:34–46 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’a 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’b 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42“What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”“The son of David,” they replied.43He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,44 “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord:“Sit at my right handuntil I put your enemiesunder your feet.” ’c45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 46No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
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 NIV 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.