Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
July 26, 2026
See TodayProper 12
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Deut. 7:6–9 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
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- Psalm
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Psalm 125 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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A Song of degrees.
1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
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- Epistle
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Rom. 8:28–39 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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- Gospel
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Matt. 13:44–52 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. 52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
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Proper 12
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Son of God Has Redeemed Us for Himself with His Holy and Precious Blood
The Lord our God has chosen us to be “his treasured possession,” not because of any strength in us, but solely “because the Lord loves” us (Deut. 7:6–8). He is faithful, and He “keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deut. 7:9). He has searched for us and found us in love, and He has bestowed on us “great value” by the great price that He has paid on the cross (Matt. 13:45–46). In His joy, He has redeemed us by His cross and gathered us into His kingdom by the Gospel. Now we are “hidden in a field,” covered by the cross and subject to the persecution of the world (Matt. 13:44), not for destruction, but “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). Since we “are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28), and because Christ Jesus died, rose again and lives to intercede for us “at the right hand of God” (Rom. 8:34), there is nothing in all creation that can separate us from “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39).
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)
- Romans 11:33, 36 (read in KJV 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 July 26, 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, preserve us from error and deliver us from temptation. Grant that we may abide in Christ and His word of truth, remaining steadfast and immovable until the end. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, You send out pastors to preach and teach the whole counsel of Your Word. Grant that they may serve You faithfully, and that we may receive their words with joy and thanksgiving. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You have given us various offices in our lives. Grant us faithfulness in these callings, that we may see them as gifts through which we serve You and our neighbors. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Lord, grant wisdom to Donald, our president; _____________, our governor; and all who make, administer and judge our laws, that they may seek what is best for all in accordance with Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, bestow Your comfort on all who are burdened by sickness and affliction [especially _____________]. Grant that they may await healing and deliverance in the firm conviction that nothing can separate them from Your love in Christ Jesus. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, grant that all who commune today might receive the Sacrament faithfully and depart refreshed, knowing that they are Your forgiven people. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, we know that neither life nor death can separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus, our Lord. We thank You for all who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and we ask You to grant us also our inheritance with the saints in light. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
These and whatsoever other things You would have us ask of You, O God, grant us for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your only Son, our Lord and 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 July 26, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For preservation from error and deliverance from temptation, that we may remain steadfast and immovable in Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all pastors, that they may faithfully teach the whole counsel of God’s Word; and that we may receive their words with joy and thanksgiving, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faithfulness in our vocations, that we would come to see the various offices God has given us as gifts through which we serve Him and our neighbors, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For Donald, our president; _____________, our governor; and all who make, administer and judge our laws, that they would lead with wisdom, and seek what is best for all in accordance with God’s will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those burdened by sickness and affliction, [especially _____________,] that they may await healing and deliverance in the firm conviction that nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who commune, that they might receive the Sacrament faithfully and depart from the Lord’s table refreshed, knowing that they are His forgiven people, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving to God for those who have fallen asleep in Christ; and in joyful expectation of our inheritance with the saints in light, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
These and whatsoever other things You would have us ask of You, O God, grant us for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your only Son, our Lord and 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
LSB 713 From God Can Nothing Move Me
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 12 (Series A), Proper 25 (Series B) and Proper 27 (Series C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 168, 169 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 654 Your Kingdom, O God, Is My Glorious Treasure
- Distribution LSB 536 One Thing’s Needful
- Distribution LSB 542 When I Behold Jesus Christ
- Closing LSB 743 Jesus, Priceless Treasure
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.