Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
September 21, 2026
See TodayProper 20
· Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 55:6–9 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 27:1–9 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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Phil. 1:12–14, 19–30 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Gospel
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Matt. 20:1–16 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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Proper 20
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Disciples Live in Their Vocations by Grace through Faith in Christ
Those who are sent as “laborers for his vineyard” (Matt. 20:1) depict the wide diversity of vocations to which the disciples of Christ Jesus are called. Whatever our particular stations in life may be, we are called to live and serve by faith in His promises. Our labors do not merit anything before Him, for He is already generous to one and all without partiality. In mercy, He has chosen to bear “the burden of the day and the scorching heat” on our behalf, to make us equal to Himself and to give us what belongs to Him, that is, the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 20:12–15). This way of the Lord is foolishness to the world and foreign to our thoughts, but He draws near, so that “he may be found” (Is. 55:6), “have compassion” and “abundantly pardon” (Is. 55:7). So it is that we are found in Christ Jesus, and He is honored in our bodies, “whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20), by “fruitful labor” (Phil. 1:22) or by suffering. It is by faith in His forgiveness that our works are “worthy of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).
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 ESV 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 20, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Divine Master, Your ways are high above the ways of men. You put the last first, abundantly pardon sinners and make death great gain for Your servants. Enlighten our hearts with this wisdom from Your Word, that we may lead fruitful lives in the midst of a foolish world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, keep us all ever mindful that it is only by Your grace we are included in Your kingdom and privileged to serve in it. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God of life and death, whether we live or die, we are Yours. Embolden Your Church to honor You with our bodies in this life, that we may also depart this life in faith to be with Christ, which is far better. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, bless this nation and all people in their rightful callings. Grant that we may serve our neighbors in love, and that all authorities would exercise their callings with humility and wisdom on behalf of the defenseless. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, have mercy on all Your servants who are sick, depressed, lonely, ignored, shut in or in hospice care [especially _____________]. Guard them and keep their faith strong, that they may know with certainty that to live is Christ and to die is gain. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, Your Son’s body and blood provides us a foretaste of the feast to come. Bless the pastors who serve us these sacred mysteries. Strengthen all who commune today through the forgiveness of sins You bestow. Nourish all who are still being instructed, and bring them soon to Your table. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, 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 20, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For wisdom from the Word of God, that we may lead fruitful lives in the midst of a foolish world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That we would learn to become like our divine Master, who puts the last first, pardons sinners and works death into great gain for His servants, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who serve in the Lord’s kingdom, that we would be ever mindful that it is only by grace we are privileged to serve in it, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That Christ would be honored in our bodies, whether by life as we serve Him without fear, or by departing this life to be with Him, which is far better, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For this nation, that the Lord would bless all people in their callings and in service to their neighbors; and for all authorities, that they would serve on behalf of the defenseless, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who are sick, depressed, lonely, ignored, shut in or in hospice care, [especially _____________,] that God would keep them in the certainty that to live is Christ and to die is gain, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who commune this day, that they may receive our Savior’s body and blood in faith for the forgiveness of their sins, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For pastors who serve us these sacred mysteries, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those still being instructed, that they may be nourished in hope and come soon to the Lord’s table, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, 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 555 Salvation Unto Us Has Come
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Septuagesima (One-Year), Reformation Day (One-Year and Series A, B and C) and Proper 20 (Series A).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 167, 169, 171 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 566 By Grace I’m Saved
- Distribution LSB 602 The Gifts Christ Freely Gives
- Distribution LSB 853 How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord
- Closing LSB 738 Lord of All Hopefulness
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.