Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
March 22, 2026
See TodayPalm/Passion Sunday
· Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
-
Isaiah 50:4–9a (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NIV Scripture text
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- Psalm
-
Psalm 118:19–29 or Psalm 31:9–16 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NIV Scripture text
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- Epistle
-
Phil. 2:5–11 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NIV Scripture text
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- Gospel
-
NIV Scripture text
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Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read John 12:12-19 (Procession) in NIV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read Matthew 26:1-27:66 in NIV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read Matthew 27:11-66 in NIV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read John 12:20-43 in NIV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
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Palm/Passion Sunday
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Now Is the Hour When the Son of Man Is Glorified
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming.” He comes in gentle humility, “sitting on a donkey’s colt,” yet also as the King of Israel “in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13, 15). His royal glory is faithful obedience and self-sacrificing service “to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). The love of God is manifested in the cross and Passion of His Son for the salvation of sinners. Since He has borne our sins and suffered our death, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9), and He exalts us in His resurrection. Our Lord did not hide His face “from disgrace and spitting” (Is. 50:6), but He trusted His God and Father, who raised Him from death and the grave and exalted Him to His right hand. This same King Jesus now comes to us in gentle humility in His Supper, where He feeds us with His body and cleanses and covers us with His blood, so that “after his resurrection” we also shall rise and enter the holy city (Matt. 27:52–53).
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
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 March 29, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
King of glory, Lord of hosts, lift up the gates of our hearts, and make way for Your blessed Son. Forgive our sins and renew our souls, that we may glorify Him who died to save us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, You have raised up faithful leaders for Your Church, and we appeal to You to continue to provide pastors and church workers. Prosper the work of those who bring the light of Christ to those living in darkness. Bless those whose acts of mercy extend Your love to the disabled, wounded and forgotten throughout the world, that Your Church may serve You in faithful service and witness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You sacrificed Your own Son on the cross, that we may be called Your children. Increase the faith of all Christian fathers, that receiving Jesus and trusting in His atoning sacrifice, they may be enlivened to sacrificial love for their children. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Lord, all the might of man is nothing before You, yet You have appointed earthly realms and rulers to punish evil and honor good. Give us faithful leaders who will serve honorably and well. Bless also those who serve in law enforcement and the armed forces. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of hosts, Your Son, Jesus, came to deliver His people from all evil. Take away the fear of all who suffer in this world [especially _____________]. As they await the fullness of their salvation, fix their eyes upon their crucified Savior. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, Your Son humbly rode into Jerusalem to the shouts of “Hosanna!” so that He might give us righteousness and salvation by His death and resurrection. Mercifully grant that we would repent of our sins and rejoice in His presence as He visits us with His body and blood in His Holy Supper this day. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, make our ears like the ears of Your Son, Jesus, ever open to hear Your voice and ever eager to do Your will. As His precious Gospel rings in our ears, enliven our tongues to praise and proclaim His wondrous works for our salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves, our bodies and souls, and all things; save us, O Lord, faithful God; through 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 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 March 29, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For pardon and renewal, that the blessed Son of God would lift up the gates of our hearts and be glorified as the Savior of sinners, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the merciful Lord would continue to provide faithful pastors and church workers, that their work would bring the light of Christ to those living in darkness; that their acts of mercy would extend His love to the disabled, wounded and forgotten throughout the world; and that His Church would serve Him in faithful service and witness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For Christian fathers, that receiving Christ and trusting His atoning sacrifice, they may be enlivened to sacrificial love for their children, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our leaders and those who serve in law enforcement and the armed forces, that they may acknowledge God, before whom the might of man is nothing, and so serve honorably and well, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who suffer in this world, [especially _____________,] that they would not fear but fix their eyes on Jesus as they await the fullness of their salvation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who commune, that the Lord, who humbly rode into Jerusalem for our salvation, would give us hearts that confess our sin and rejoice in His presence in the Holy Communion for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For ears that are open to the voice of God, that hearing the precious Gospel of Christ, we would follow Christ in doing the will of the Father, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves, our bodies and souls, and all things; save us, O Lord, faithful God; through 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 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 438 A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Palm Sunday (One-Year and Series B and C) and Palm/Passion Sunday (Series A).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 167 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
LSB 442 All Glory, Laud, and Honor
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the processional hymn for Palm Sunday (One-Year and Series B and C) and Palm/Passion Sunday (Series A).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 167 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 442 All Glory, Laud, and Honor
- Distribution LSB 443 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
- Distribution LSB 444 No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet
- Closing LSB 441 Ride On, Ride On in Majesty
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.