Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
August 23, 2026
See TodayProper 17
· Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Jer. 15:15–21 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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15 O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke. 16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. 17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?
19 Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them. 20 And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 26 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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A Psalm of David.
1 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5 I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
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- Epistle
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Rom. 12:9–21 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
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- Gospel
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Matt. 16:21–28 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
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Proper 17
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Glory of God Is the Passion and Cross of Christ Jesus
After St. Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, our Lord “began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Matt. 16:21). Upon hearing this “theology of the cross,” Simon Peter stumbled into a satanic “theology of glory.” But the glory of God is revealed in the Passion and cross of His incarnate Son. The faithful prophets, such as Jeremiah, suffered persecution and rejection in anticipation of Jesus’ cross. Yet the Lord did not abandon them; He remembered them, and He was with them to deliver them (Jer. 15:15–20). By His cross, Jesus has redeemed the world, and in His resurrection, He has vindicated all who trust in Him. Thus, the Christian life is a discipleship of self-sacrificing love. Since Christ Jesus has reconciled us to God, we “live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18). By the certainty of His cross and resurrection, we “rejoice in hope,” and we are “patient in tribulation” and “constant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).
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 30, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Almighty God, ever righteous and faithful, all vengeance belongs to You. As our enemies rise against us, we place all things in Your hands, knowing justice will be done and that You, O Lord, will redeem us from the grasp of the ruthless. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, grant to Your Church pastors who say with Jeremiah, “Hear the Word of the Lord,” and who faithfully proclaim that Word to us. Strengthen our pastors and missionaries for the tasks to which You have called them, and care for their families. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, look with favor on the households of this congregation, and grant that all may live in love that issues from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, turn the eyes of [_____________ and] all who make, execute and judge our laws to You, that they may receive wisdom and strength to faithfully carry out their duties. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty Father, have mercy on all who are sick or suffering in any way, especially [_____________ and] all who have requested our prayers. Grant that they may have relief from pain, and give them the courage to endure their crosses and tribulations. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving Lord, until Your Son returns in glory, He gives us His body and blood to sustain us. Grant that all who receive this gift today may receive it in faith, trusting that it is given for the forgiveness of their sins and life everlasting. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Rise up, O Lord, and avenge those who are persecuted for the name of Your Son, Jesus. In communion with all Your saints, grant us endurance to bear our crosses as Christ bore His for us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God 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 30, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That we would place all vengeance in the hands of God, who is ever righteous and faithful, and who will always carry out justice and deliver His people out of the hand of the wicked, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all pastors and missionaries, that they might say with Jeremiah, “Hear the Word of the Lord,” and faithfully proclaim that Word to us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the households of this congregation, that all may live in love that issues from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For [ _____________ and] all who make, execute and judge our laws, that their eyes may be turned toward the Lord; and that they would receive wisdom and strength to faithfully carry out their duties, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and suffering, [especially _____________ and all who have requested our prayers,] that they might have relief from pain and the courage to endure whatever crosses and tribulations the Lord chooses to lay upon them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who receive the Supper today, that they may faithfully receive it for the forgiveness of sins and be sustained until Christ returns in glory, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those persecuted for the name of Christ, that in communion with all the saints we may bear our crosses faithfully, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God 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 531 Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 17 (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.
Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus — Historical TLH Edition
Historical text notice: This is the public-domain text of The Lutheran Hymnal 367, not the Lutheran Service Book 531 text. Wording and stanza form may differ.
1. Hail, Thou once despised Jesus!
Hail, Thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to release us;
Thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, Thou universal Savior,
Who hast borne our sin and shame,
By whose merits we find favor!
Life is given through Thy name.
2. Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
All our sins on Thee were laid;
By almighty love anointed,
Thou hast full atonement made.
Every sin may be forgiven
Through the virtue of Thy blood;
Open is the gate of heaven,
Peace is made ‘twixt man and God.
3. Jesus, hail, enthroned in glory,
There forever to abide!
All the heavenly host adore Thee,
Seated at Thy Father’s side.
There for sinners Thou art pleading,
There Thou dost our place prepare,
Ever for us interceding
Till in glory we appear.
4. Worship, honor, power, and blessing
Thou art worthy to receive;
Loudest praises, without ceasing,
Meet it is for us to give.
Help, ye bright angelic spirits,
Bring your sweetest, noblest lays;
Help to sing our Savior’s merits,
Help to chant Immanuel’s praise.
by Author unknown, c. 1757
Source: Project Wittenberg; The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn 367 (opens in a new tab). Public domain. Project Wittenberg permits distribution, copying and printing.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 837 Lift High the Cross
- Distribution LSB 427 In the Cross of Christ I Glory
- Distribution LSB 692 Praise to You and Adoration
- Closing LSB 661 The Son of God Goes Forth to War
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.