Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
September 27, 2026
See TodayProper 21
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Ezek. 18:1–4, 25–32 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 25:1–10 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Epistle
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Phil. 2:1–4 (5–13) 14–18 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Gospel
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Matt. 21:23–27 (28–32) (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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Proper 21
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Cross of Christ Opens to Us the Way of Repentance to Life with God
The way of the Lord is righteous and just: “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezek. 18:4). However, because the Lord has “no pleasure in the death of anyone” (Ezek. 18:32), He calls sinners to repentance and faith in His gracious forgiveness of sins. The man who is thus turned away from his wickedness, who henceforth lives by the grace of God, “shall surely live; he shall not die” (Ezek. 18:28). This way of repentance has been opened for us by the cross of Christ. In the righteousness of faith and love, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Phil. 2:8), and He was vindicated in His resurrection from the dead. Indeed, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9). He has given us this name in our Baptism into Christ, in whom we now “shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). He uses the authority that He has received from His Father (Matt. 21:23–27) to preach a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, by which even “the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God” (Matt. 21:31–32).
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 91:11, 103:1 (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 27, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Merciful Lord, You founded Your Church upon the proclamation of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Purify the tongues of Your servants, that the tongues of the wicked may be silenced. Turn them from their evil ways, that their sins may be washed away. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, You have built Your Church and called her to hold fast to the Word of life in the midst of a crooked and twisted world. Preserve her from all grumbling, rivalry and conceit, and sustain her in humble and devout faith until the day of Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, though the world denies Your justice, strengthen Your Church to proclaim it rightly. Let the wicked be broken by Your truth, that they may turn and follow in the way of forgiveness and life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Creator of all things, bless the useful arts of science and industry, that we may use Your resources for the good of Your people and take responsible care of all You have made. Prevent us from misusing Your gifts and our reason, lest we bring harm upon ourselves and others. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Father, all the might of man is nothing before You, yet You have appointed earthly realms and rulers to punish evil and honor good. Give us faithful leaders who will serve honorably and well. Bless also those who serve in the armed forces to defend us and protect our liberty. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord Almighty, draw near to those who face the distress of sickness, surgery and pain [especially _____________]. Let them not be afraid, and heal them according to the abundance of Your steadfast love. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Unite us, O Lord, that we may be of one mind and one will in doctrine, witness and service. Bless us as we come at Your bidding to receive the body and blood of Your Son at His table. Grant that what we receive in this Holy Communion we may keep in holy hearts and holy lives. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, in You there is no shadow due to change. Enkindle Your divine light in us, that we may stand united as Christ’s own body, holding fast to the Word of life and shining brightly in the midst of this world’s darkness; through the same 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 27, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the proclamation of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, that by the pure tongues of Christ’s servants the tongues of the wicked may be silenced, their evil ways cast aside and their sins washed away, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that she may hold fast to the Word of life in the midst of a crooked and twisted world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Against all grumbling, rivalry and conceit in the Church of God; and for humble and devout faith lasting until the day of Christ Jesus, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that she may proclaim the true justice of God to this world; and that the wicked may turn and follow in the way of forgiveness and life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all useful scientific research, that those who apply their knowledge for the betterment of their neighbors might be blessed with wisdom and skill, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our leaders and those who serve in our armed forces, that having been appointed by Him before whom the might of man is nothing, they might serve honorably and well, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who face sickness, surgery and pain, [especially _____________,] that they may not be afraid, and that they might be healed according to the abundance of God’s steadfast love, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who receive Holy Communion this day, that we may have one mind and one will in doctrine, witness and service, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O God, in You there is no shadow due to change. Enkindle Your divine light in us, that we may stand united as Christ’s own body, holding fast to the Word of life and shining brightly in the midst of this world’s darkness; through the same 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 655 Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 21 (Series A) and Proper 15 (Series C).
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.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 698 May We Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfill
- Distribution LSB 848 Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service
- Distribution LSB 854 Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go
- Closing LSB 496 Holy Spirit, Light Divine
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.