Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
August 16, 2026
See TodayProper 15
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 56:1, 6–8 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. 8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 67 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song.
1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
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- Epistle
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Rom. 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
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- Gospel
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Matt. 15:21–28 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
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Proper 15
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Church Lives Under the Cross of Christ and Prays in the Hope of His Mercy
By her persistent prayer that Jesus would have mercy and help her (Matt. 15:22, 24), and even in the face of His initial silence and apparent rejection (Matt. 15:23–26), the Canaanite woman boldly confessed her faith in Him (Matt. 15:27–28). Her beautiful example encourages us to cling to the words and promises of the Gospel, even in the face of the Law that accuses and condemns us. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:29), and His Law “has consigned all to disobedience” for the very purpose “that he may have mercy on all” (Rom. 11:32). Hence, the woman’s faith and hope were not disappointed, but her prayers were answered in the mercy of Christ. Not only does He grant us the crumbs from His table, but He also feeds us with “the children’s bread” in the house of His Father (Matt. 15:26–27). He has brought us to His “holy mountain,” and He makes us joyful in His house, where He hears our prayers and accepts our sacrifice of praise upon the altar of His cross (Is. 56:7).
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 34:9, 19 (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 August 16, 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, grant us and Your whole Church on earth unity and harmony, that our life may be marked by worship, witness, prayer and service to those within and outside of the household of faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, bless those who faithfully serve us in Your name, including our Synod president; _____________, our district president; _____________, our pastor(s); and all church workers. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Caring Father, visit the homes of Your people. Keep them from all harm and danger, and grant that we would dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, grant that the government and those who protect us may keep justice and do righteousness for Your name’s sake and according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, care for those who cry to You, whether beset with grief, sorrow, pain or trouble [especially _____________]. Be pleased for Christ’s sake to answer them according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, bless all who are about to receive Christ’s body and blood from this altar. Grant that these crumbs from Your table may strengthen us in faith and love, united with You and our neighbors. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, grant that the Church may steadfastly proclaim Your irrevocable gifts and calling, that the disobedient may receive mercy, and that those who hear become grafted onto Jesus Christ, the true vine. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, giver of all that is good, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your grace, that we may endure the changes and chances of this mortal life and be found worthy when our Savior comes to bring to completion all things; 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 August 16, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the unity of the Church and harmony among its members; and for our life together in worship, witness, prayer and service to those within and outside of the household of faith, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our Synod president; for _____________, our district president; for _____________, our pastor(s); and for all church workers and their faithful service to us in Your name, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the homes of God’s people, that He would keep them from all harm and danger; and that we may dwell together in peace under the protection of His holy angels, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the government and those who protect us, that they may keep justice and do righteousness, carrying out their duties in accord with God’s will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and afflicted, those beset with grief and sorrow, pain and any trouble, [especially _____________,] that the Lord would be pleased to answer their cries for the sake of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who are about to receive Christ’s body and blood from this altar, that these crumbs may strengthen us in faith and love, united with God and neighbor, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that she may steadfastly proclaim the irrevocable gifts and calling of God; that the disobedient may receive mercy; and that those who hear may become branches grafted onto the true vine, Jesus Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Lord God, giver of all that is good, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your grace, that we may endure the changes and chances of this mortal life and be found worthy when our Savior comes to bring to completion all things; 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 653 In Christ There Is No East or West
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 15 (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 615 When in the Hour of Deepest Need
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Second Sunday in Lent (One-Year) and Proper 15 (Series A).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 167, 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 779 Come, My Soul, with Every Care
- Distribution LSB 690 Hope of the World
- Distribution LSB 615 When in the Hour of Deepest Need
- Closing LSB 754 Entrust Your Days and Burdens
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.