Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
May 17, 2026
See TodayEaster 7
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
-
Acts 1:12–26 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NIV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read Acts 1:12-26 in NIV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Psalm
-
Psalm 68:1–10 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NIV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read Psalm 68:1-10 in NIV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Epistle
-
1 Peter 4:12–19, 5:6–11 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NIV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read 1 Peter 4:12-19, 5:6-11 in NIV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Gospel
-
John 17:1–11 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NIV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read John 17:1-11 in NIV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
Easter 7
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Our Lord Jesus Is with Us in the Upper Room of His Church on Earth
On the night when He was betrayed, our Lord Jesus prayed for His apostles and His Church on earth. “The hour” had come when the Father would glorify His Son by the cross (John 17:1). Through the shedding of His blood, He would bring forgiveness for the sins of the world, and in His resurrection and ascension He would unite all Christians with the Father “that they may be one” with God (John 17:11). He manifested His name to the apostles and gave them the words of the Father to speak in His name. The apostolic witness of His cross and resurrection (Acts 1:21–22) gathers disciples together “with one accord” into the one Body of Christ (Acts 1:14). “Devoting themselves to prayer,” they wait upon the Lord in “the upper room” (Acts 1:13–14), the place of His Holy Supper. Strengthened by the Gospel, Christians bear the cross of Christ in patience and peace, rejoicing to share in His suffering, in order that they “may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).
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 May 17, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O Lord, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your Son, that we would never be arrogant or prideful and thus provoke Your wrath, but in all lowliness be made partakers of Your grace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, You have provided pastors to preach Your Word, administer Your Sacraments and shepherd Your people. Guard them from leading Your sheep astray. Grant that, through their preaching, Your people may be pierced by the Law and saved by the Gospel. Finally, shield them from the assaults of the devil, who would silence Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You settle the solitary in families in order to nurture their faith and train them in righteousness. Bless and strengthen parents to bring up their children to resist temptation and to endure all things for the sake of Your name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, Father of all, rule for the cause of the needy and the outcast. Set the world’s rulers against oppressors and all evil, that we may live together in peace, joy and holiness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, have mercy on the sick and those in any need [especially _____________]. Let the dawning light of the new creation in Christ sustain them in faith. In accord with Your will, grant them renewed health — a foretaste of their eternal healing in Him. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, Your Son is both host and meal in the Sacrament of the Altar. Give us faith to recognize His body and blood and to receive with grateful faith this blessed food in Holy Communion. Guide us to live faithfully here on earth until we live forever with You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Eternal Lord, thanks be to You for victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember all who mourn. Comfort them with the promise that You love them with an everlasting love, and that Christ will raise His people from the dead. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, inasmuch as the adversary continually afflicts us and as a roaring lion walks about, seeking to devour us: We implore You for the sake of the suffering and death of Your Son, Jesus Christ, to help us by the grace of the Holy Spirit and to strengthen our hearts by Your Word, that our enemy may not prevail over us, but that we may evermore abide in Your grace and be preserved unto everlasting life; 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 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 May 17, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For true humility after the likeness of Christ, that we would never be arrogant or prideful and thus provoke God’s wrath, but in all lowliness be made partakers of His grace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For pastors, that they may faithfully lead their flocks, proclaim the Law and Gospel for the good of God’s people, and be shielded from the assaults of the devil, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For parents, that they may bring up their children to resist temptation and endure all for the sake of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For rulers who are set against all oppression and plead the cause of the widow, the fatherless and all those outcast, that we may live together in peace and holy joy, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and those in any need, [especially _____________,] that the dawning light of the new creation in Christ would sustain them in faith; and that, according to God’s will, they would be granted renewed health as a foretaste of their eternal healing in Him, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faith to recognize the body and blood of our Lord Jesus and to receive this blessed food in the Holy Communion; and for guidance to live faithfully here on earth until we live with Him eternally, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who grieve, that Christ would comfort them with the promise that He loves them with an everlasting love and will raise His people to eternal life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Lord God, heavenly Father, inasmuch as the adversary continually afflicts us and as a roaring lion walks about, seeking to devour us: We implore You for the sake of the suffering and death of Your Son, Jesus Christ, to help us by the grace of the Holy Spirit and to strengthen our hearts by Your Word, that our enemy may not prevail over us, but that we may evermore abide in Your grace and be preserved unto everlasting life; 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 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 539 Christ Is the World’s Redeemer
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Seventh Sunday of Easter (One-Year) and Easter 7 (Series A, B and C).
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.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 818 In Thee Is Gladness
- Distribution LSB 623 Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray
- Distribution LSB 724 If God Himself Be for Me
- Closing LSB 652 Father, We Thank Thee
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.