Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
December 27, 2026
See TodaySt. John
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
- First Reading
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Rev. 1:1–6 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 11 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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1 John 1:1–2:2 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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John 21:20–25 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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St. John
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
About this service
St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
St. John the Evangelist put Christmas in one verse: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Not martyred but still a witness, John was exiled to Patmos and died an old man, according to tradition. He bore witness “to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw” (Rev. 1:2). Above all, he was an eyewitness of Christ who proclaims to us what he saw and heard concerning the “word of life” that was “made manifest” (1 John 1:1–3). “And we know that his testimony is true” (John 21:24). The readings today include John’s testimony of Christ’s atoning death and His third resurrection appearance (John 21:14). On the third day of Christmas, we find joy and gladness with John and all the apostles that “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,” who is “the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1–2).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Feasts, Festivals and Occasions (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
Reviewed Introit, Gradual and Verse citations have not yet been published in the Toolbox for this service.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for December 27, 2020 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Brief silence
Eternal Father, You have made manifest to us the Word of life, which was with You in the beginning. By the proclamation of His light, You have given us fellowship with You and Your Son, even Jesus Christ. Keep us in Your truth, confessing Jesus Christ, the righteous One, who is the propitiation for our sins, even the sins of the whole world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, we give thanks to You for St. John, Your holy evangelist, who has given to Your Church true testimony concerning Christ, our Lord. Send also to the Church in our times faithful pastors who will bear witness to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Preserve Your Church, loved and freed from all sins by Christ’s blood, steadfast as a kingdom, priests to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of all nations, direct and defend all who make, administer and judge our laws. Bless and protect our soldiers, police and all those who work to keep our communities safe. Keep us all from violence, discord and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Teach us to grow in virtue and live in peace with everyone. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Great Physician of body and soul, by Your Word and Holy Spirit comfort all who are in sorrow or need, sickness or adversity [especially _____________]. Hold them all in Your almighty hands and bring them consolation. Heal them according to Your gracious will, and give us all grace to accept and bear our crosses with faith in You, that we would always be prepared to depart this life in faith and come to Your heavenly home. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O King of Glory, may all who receive the Lord’s Supper this day do so in true repentance and faith. Help us to make a good confession of the truth united in this congregation. As we eat and drink Your body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, reveal Your glory to us here by faith and bind us together with the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we all may be gathered around Your throne on the Last Day. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O almighty and everlasting God, through Your only begotten Son, You will sanctify all Your elect and beloved people. Give us grace to follow the example of Your saints in faith, love and hope, that together with them we may obtain eternal life; 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 B 2020–2021 (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 December 27, 2020 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Brief silence
In thanksgiving for the Word of life, who was with the eternal Father in the beginning and has been made manifest to us; in thanksgiving for the fellowship with the Father and His Son that has been given to us; and that God would keep us in His truth, confessing Jesus Christ, the righteous One, who is the propitiation for our sins, even the sins of the whole world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for St. John, the holy evangelist, who testified faithfully to the Church about Christ, our Lord; for the Church in our time, that God would send faithful pastors to bear witness to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ; and for the Church’s continual preservation, that loved and freed from all sins by Christ’s blood, we would remain steadfast as a kingdom, priests to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our nation, that God would direct and defend all who make, administer and judge our laws; for our soldiers, police and all those who work to keep our communities safe; that God would keep us from violence, discord and confusion, pride and arrogance, and every evil course of action; and that He would teach us to grow in virtue, living at peace with everyone, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the needy, sorrowful, sick and all those facing adversity [especially _____________], that God would hold them in His almighty hands and bring them consolation; that He would give us grace to accept and bear our crosses with faith in Christ; and that He would prepare us to depart this life in faith, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who receive the Lord’s Supper this day, that they would do so in true repentance and faith; for aid in making a good confession of the truth united in this congregation; and for the revelation of God’s glory to us here by faith to bind us together with the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, until He gathers us around His throne on the Last Day, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O almighty and everlasting God, through Your only begotten Son, You will sanctify all Your elect and beloved people. Give us grace to follow the example of Your saints in faith, love and hope, that together with them we may obtain eternal life; 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 B 2020–2021 (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 523 O Word of God Incarnate
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for St. John (One-Year and Series B).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 170 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.