Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
April 12, 2026
See TodayEaster 2
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Acts 5:29–42 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 148 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
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- Epistle
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1 Peter 1:3–9 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
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- Gospel
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John 20:19–31 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
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Easter 2
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Christ Jesus Breathes His Spirit and His Life into Us by the Ministry of the Gospel
The crucified and risen Lord Jesus establishes the ministry of the Gospel in order to bestow His life-giving Holy Spirit and His peace upon the Church. To those who are called and ordained to this office, and to those they serve in His name, He grants the Holy Absolution of all sins. By the fruits of His cross, He replaces fear and doubt with peace and joy, and thus gives “repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). Through the preaching of His sent ones, He calls us to believe that He “is the Christ, the Son of God,” so that by such faith we “may have life in his name” (John 20:31). In His resurrection, we have the “living hope” to which we have been “born again” and by which we are guarded “for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3, 5). Until then, “though you have not seen him, you love him,” and by the mercies of God “you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
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 April 12, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord God, like Thomas we wrestle with faith amid doubts and fears. Grant us Your Holy Spirit, that believing, we may see, and seeing, we may rejoice in Your Son and the power of His resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, give courage to all pastors as they preach and teach the Word, that all who hear may believe and that, believing, they may live in righteousness and godliness until the day Christ returns as Judge and Lord of all. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give peace, Lord, to our homes and enliven them by Christ’s resurrected life. Let the forgiveness of sins reign among husbands and wives, parents and children. Assure those who live alone that they, too, are Your children, upheld by Your right hand. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God of hosts, You have added believers to the Lord Jesus in all times and places, from those receptive and hostile alike. Shepherd the nations, and bring all peoples to embrace the Gospel of the resurrected Christ. Curb wicked rulers and break their power, that all would be brought to the feet of Jesus in worship. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, as Your Son’s wounds brought gladness and peace to the troubled disciples, give Your presence and comfort to the troubled in our midst [especially _____________]. Comfort also those who weep [and especially _____________] with the blessed joy of Easter morning. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, preserve Your Holy Communion and Your Son’s blessed Supper among us. Give contrition and faith to those who gather at this altar. Unite them in their confession of Your truth, and so bring them worthily to eat and to drink Christ’s body and blood for their forgiveness and life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, Your Son suffered on our behalf to win salvation for us. Grant that we may have the privilege not only of believing in Him, but also of suffering for His sake. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, heavenly Father, give us all things good and beneficial to us and to our salvation, and keep us from all things harmful; through Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen Savior, 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 April 12, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For God’s people, that we may shed our doubts and come joyfully before God like the apostle Thomas, who saw, believed and rejoiced in the power of Christ’s resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all pastors as they preach and teach the Word, that all who hear may believe and that, believing, they may live in righteousness and godliness before the world until Christ returns, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our homes, that Christ would give them peace and enliven them with His resurrected life; that He would cause the forgiveness of sins to reign among husbands and wives, parents and children; and that He would assure those who live alone that they, too, are His children, upheld by His right hand, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the nations, that they would embrace the Gospel of the resurrected Christ; and that wicked power would be curbed and all rulers brought to the feet of Jesus in worship, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the troubled in our midst, that Christ’s wounds would continue to bring His gladness, peace and comforting presence to His disciples [especially _____________]; and for those who weep, [especially _____________,] that in the difficult night of this world they would confidently expect the blessed joy of Easter morning, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who commune today, that God would give us contrition and faith, unite us in our confession of His truth, and so bring us worthily to eat and to drink Christ’s body and blood for our forgiveness and life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For patience and endurance in Christ, that we may have the privilege not only of believing in Him, but also of suffering for His sake, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord, heavenly Father, give us all things good and beneficial to us and to our salvation, and keep us from all things harmful; through Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen Savior, 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
Hymn of the Day — O Sons and Daughters of the King (LSB 470 or 471)
Lutheran Service Book 470 or 471
O Sons and Daughters of the King
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Second Sunday of Easter (One-Year) and Easter 2 (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, p. 168 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Ye Sons and Daughters of the King — Historical TLH Edition
Historical text notice: This is the public-domain text of The Lutheran Hymnal 208, not the Lutheran Service Book 470 text. Wording and stanza form may differ.
1. Ye sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heavenly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave hath lost its sting:
Alleluia!
2. On that first morning of the week,
Before the day began to break,
The Marys went their Lord to seek:
Alleluia!
3. An angel bade their sorrow flee,
For thus he spake unto the three:
“Your Lord is gone to Galilee”:
Alleluia!
4. That night the Apostles met in fear,
Amidst them came their Lord most dear
And said: “Peace be unto you here”:
Alleluia!
5. When Thomas afterwards had heard
That Jesus had fulfilled His word,
He doubted if it were the Lord:
Alleluia!
6. “Thomas, behold My side,” saith He,
“My hands, My feet, My body, see;
“And doubt not, but believe in Me”:
Alleluia!
7. No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
“Thou art my Lord and God,” he cried:
Alleluia!
8. Blessed are they that have not seen
And yet whose faith hath constant been,
In Iife eternal they shall reign:
Alleluia!
9. On this most holy day of days
To God your hearts and voices raise
In laud and jubilee and praise:
Alleluia!
10. And we with holy Church unite,
As evermore is just and right,
In glory to the King of light:
Alleluia!
by unknown, c. 1600; Translated by John M. Neale, 1818-1866
Source: Project Wittenberg; The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn 208 (opens in a new tab). Public domain. Project Wittenberg permits distribution, copying and printing.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 490 Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won
- Distribution LSB 472 These Things Did Thomas Count as Real
- Distribution LSB 486 If Christ Had Not Been Raised from Death
- Closing LSB 482 This Joyful Eastertide
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.