Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
January 1, 2027
See TodayCircumcision and Name of Jesus
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
- First Reading
-
Num. 6:22–27 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NKJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read Numbers 6:22-27 in NKJV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
- Psalm
-
Psalm 8 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NKJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
NKJV text is shown for one reading at a time. Show the Psalm in NKJV
- Epistle
-
Gal. 3:23–29 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NKJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
NKJV text is shown for one reading at a time. Show the Epistle in NKJV
- Gospel
-
Luke 2:21 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
NKJV Scripture text
Select ESV to load this Scripture text.
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
NKJV text is shown for one reading at a time. Show the Gospel in NKJV
Circumcision and Name of Jesus
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
About this service
The Lord Jesus Comes in the Flesh to Fulfill the Law for Us and Save Us from Our Sins
Circumcision is the covenant God made with Abraham and his seed. It sealed God’s promises and blessings in the flesh, but also signified the burden of the Law. When the Lord Jesus came in the flesh to redeem His people, He subjected Himself to the Law, in order to fulfill the Law and release all men from its captivity. “He was called Jesus” (Luke 2:21) because He came to save His people from their sins. He would shed His blood on their behalf, as He did already when “he was circumcised” (Luke 2:21). As He also sacrificed Himself upon the cross, you are “justified by faith” in His blood (Gal. 3:24). Therefore, “you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:29), not by the circumcision of your flesh, but in the flesh and blood of Christ Jesus, the true seed of Abraham. “Baptized into Christ,” you belong to Him and are clothed and covered by His righteousness (Gal. 3:27). Holy Baptism is the true circumcision made without hands, by which the Lord Jesus puts His name on you and blesses you (Num. 6:22, 27).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series B (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 January 1, 2024 — Responsive Form
Everlasting Father, our time is in Your hands. Thank You for Your gracious favor throughout the past year. Preserve us in the days to come through the changes and chances of this mortal life, and bring us at last to that blessed day when every barrier and division shall be healed, when time itself shall end and we shall be one people, together in Your presence forevermore. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, in great tenderness toward us You sent Your Son into our flesh to fulfill the Law in perfect love. Grant to Your baptized children throughout the world joy in Your will and a desire to walk in Your ways. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Great are You, O Lord, and greatly to be praised. Let Your name be blessed every day among our families and in our homes, that one generation may tell to the next the wonderful works You have wrought in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, bring an end to the hatred and violence that threaten all people. Order our days and our doings by Your Word. Give wisdom to our president, Congress, judges and all in authority over us. Deliver us from every danger, and establish Your peace throughout the world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, preserve those who are sick or suffering [especially _____________] in the hope that You alone can give, for Your Son has borne our sins and infirmities on the cross and rose triumphant from the grave. According to Your good pleasure, grant them healing and relief. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant us hearts of repentance, that we would approach the table of Your Son with a clean heart and receive with faith His very body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Bless our congregation with unity of faith and harmony of life, that here on earth we would manifest Your everlasting love, kindness and peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You made Your Son a little lower than the heavenly beings for our salvation, and now He sits enthroned in heaven, crowned with glory and honor. Receive our thanks for all who have gone before us, who bore Your name in this world and now stand before You in heaven. Bless us all in this new year, and preserve us in faith until that day when we also stand before You in glory; 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 2023–2024 (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 January 1, 2024 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the new year, in thanksgiving for God’s providence throughout the past year, that God would continue to show us His favor and preserve us in the days to come through all the changes and chances of this mortal life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That God would bring us at last to that blessed day when every barrier and division shall be healed, when time itself shall end and we shall be one people, together in His presence forevermore, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all the baptized, that since Christ has fulfilled the Law on our behalf, we would rejoice to do the will of our heavenly Father and always desire to walk in His ways, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all families and homes, that one generation may tell to the next the wonderful works of God in Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the nations, that God would bring an end to the hatred and violence that threaten all people; that He would order our days and our doings by His Word; that He would give wisdom to our president, Congress, judges and all in authority over us; that He would deliver us from every danger; and that He would establish His peace throughout the world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and suffering, [especially _____________,] that they would have relief from their afflictions and the hope that Christ alone can give, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who approach the holy altar today, that God would grant us hearts of repentance and faith to receive the blessed Sacrament for the forgiveness of sins; and for our congregation, that it may be blessed with unity of faith and harmony of life, manifesting His everlasting love, kindness and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You made Your Son a little lower than the heavenly beings for our salvation, and now He sits enthroned in heaven, crowned with glory and honor. Receive our thanks for all who have gone before us, who bore Your name in this world and now stand before You in heaven. Bless us all in this new year, and preserve us in faith until that day when we also stand before You in glory; 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 2023–2024 (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 900 Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Circumcision & Name of Jesus (One-Year) and Circumcision and Name of Jesus (Series A, B and C).
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.
LSB 896 Now Greet the Swiftly Changing Year
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Circumcision & Name of Jesus (One-Year) and Circumcision and Name of Jesus (Series A, B and C).
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.