Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
September 6, 2026
See TodayProper 18
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Ezek. 33:7–9 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 32:1–7 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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A Psalm of David, Maschil.
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
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- Epistle
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Rom. 13:1–10 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
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- Gospel
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Matt. 18:1–20 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
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Proper 18
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Living as Humble Little Children of the Father
True greatness is not self-sufficient strength, but humility like that of a little child. The greatness of childlike faith receives all good things as gracious gifts from our Father in heaven. Apart from such faith, “you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” but whoever is humbled like a little child will be “the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3–4). Though in our sin we deserve to be “drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6), we have instead been drowned (“buried”) with Christ in Baptism and then raised to the new, humble life of a child of God. The Lord sends His watchman to warn us with a word from His mouth, in order that we may not die in our iniquity but be turned from our pride and selfishness to live (Ezek. 33:7–9). Thus, we live in humility and faith before God as well as in love for our neighbor, which “is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10). In the reverent fear of God, we do no harm to our neighbor, but we “pay to all what is owed to them” (Rom. 13:7) and we “owe no one anything, except to love each other” (Rom. 13:8).
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
- 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 September 6, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Blessed Lord, You have promised that where two or three are gathered in Your name, You are in the midst of them. Hear the prayers of Your people, and grant our supplications. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, grant courage to Your Church, that by our warning and witness sinners may come to repentance with faith, and so enjoy the forgiveness of their sins. Give Your people wisdom and strength by Your Spirit, that they may be steadfast and immovable in Your truth. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, we pray for all the little ones who believe in You [including _____________ (the youngest members of the congregation may be named)]. Keep them from sin. Through their parents, pastors and teachers, teach them Your truth and Your ways so they may grow up trusting Christ’s forgiveness and living as Your children. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You alone institute authority. Govern our lawmakers and rulers, that they may bear the sword as Your servants and according to Your command. Bless them with peaceable governance, that under them we may be guarded and directed in righteousness, quietness and unity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, look with compassion upon those who are struggling with illness, grief, loneliness or any malady [especially _____________]. Reassure them of Your love, which is like that of the shepherd who seeks and saves the one lost sheep. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, grant that we would receive Christ’s body and blood with childlike faith. Let us humbly trust that Your forgiveness is poured out for us in this Sacrament. May it strengthen us in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O almighty God, we confess that we are poor sinners and could not give an answer if You should contend with us. Yet do we thank You with all our hearts that You have taken our guilt from us and laid it upon Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, who has atoned for it. Graciously sustain us in this faith. Govern us by Your Holy Spirit, that we may live according to Your will in love and service to our neighbors. Do not let us give way to wrath or revenge, and so incur Your wrath, but let us always find in You a gracious Father; 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 September 6, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that by our warning and witness sinners may come to repentance with faith, and so enjoy the forgiveness of their sins, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all Christians, that they may be steadfast and immovable in God’s truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all little ones, [including _____________ (the youngest members of the congregation may be named),] that they may be kept from sin and that their pastors, parents and teachers would teach them to trust in Christ’s forgiveness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who bear the sword, that they may bear it as God’s servants; and that under their peaceable governance Christ’s holy people may be guarded and directed in righteousness, quietness and unity, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the ill, grieving and lonely, [especially _____________,] that they may remember that the Good Shepherd, who loves them, seeks and saves the one lost sheep, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For childlike faith as we receive Christ’s body and blood, that it may strengthen us in faith toward God and in fervent love toward one another, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O almighty God, we confess that we are poor sinners and could not give an answer if You should contend with us. Yet do we thank You with all our hearts that You have taken our guilt from us and laid it upon Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, who has atoned for it. Graciously sustain us in this faith. Govern us by Your Holy Spirit, that we may live according to Your will in love and service to our neighbors. Do not let us give way to wrath or revenge, and so incur Your wrath, but let us always find in You a gracious Father; 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 820 My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 18 (Series A) and Epiphany 7 (Series C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 167, 169 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 843 “Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive”
- Distribution LSB 608 Lord, to You I Make Confession
- Distribution LSB 851 Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us
- Closing LSB 847 Christ, Our Human Likeness Sharing
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.