Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
April 4, 2027
See TodayEaster 2
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
- First Reading
-
Acts 4:32–35 (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 Acts 4:32-35 in NKJV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
- Psalm
-
Psalm 148 (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
-
1 John 1:1–2:2 (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
-
John 20:19–31 (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
Easter 2
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
About this service
The Risen Christ Breathes His Peace in the Holy Absolution
The crucified and risen Lord Jesus appeared to His apostles on the first Easter Sunday. He “came and stood among them,” and with His Word and the wounds in “his hands and his side,” He granted them His peace (John 20:19–20). He sent them as ministers of the Gospel in His name to bestow the life-giving Holy Spirit for us and for His whole Church through the forgiveness of sins (John 20:21–23). Through this apostolic ministry, He calls us to believe that He “is the Christ, the Son of God,” so that by such faith we “may have life in his name” (John 20:31). The apostles “have seen and heard” this divine life manifested in the flesh of Christ, and those who succeed them in this apostolic ministry now proclaim that same Absolution to us, so that we “too may have fellowship” with the risen Christ, with the apostles and “with one another” (1 John 1:1–7). The one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church lives by “their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,” and all who believe this Word are “of one heart and soul,” because in Him they truly have “everything in common” (Acts 4:32–33).
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
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (B) 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 April 7, 2024 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Heavenly Father, Your Son is the firstborn from the dead. In Him, we have been reborn into a new and living hope. Nurture us with the pure milk of Your Word, that we may grow to maturity of faith and have everlasting life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant to those ordained for Your service the gift of the Spirit, wisdom that comes down from above, and grace to faithfully fulfill their holy calling where You have placed them. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
As Your people are united in the common life and love of our Savior, grant that we would share that life and love with those in need. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Build up the households of Your people, that Your holy children, begotten in Baptism, may grow in Your grace and share together in Your forgiveness and life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
You have instituted authorities to carry out Your justice. Bless all who make, administer and judge the laws of our land. Give them wisdom, integrity and honor to serve according to Your good will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
As Your Son’s wounds brought gladness and peace to the troubled disciples, give Your presence and comfort to the troubled in our midst [especially _____________]. Comfort also those who weep [especially _____________] with the blessed joy of Easter morning. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father of the risen Christ, You give us the crucified and risen body and blood of our Lord in this Holy Supper. Let us taste that the Lord is good and continually grow up unto salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank You that out of Your indescribable grace, for the sake of Your Son, You have given us the Holy Gospel and instituted the blessed Sacraments, that through them we may have comfort and the forgiveness of sin. Grant us Your Holy Spirit, that we may heartily believe Your Word, and through the Holy Sacraments establish our faith day by day, until at last we obtain eternal salvation; 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 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 April 7, 2024 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church reborn in Christ, that nurtured by the pure milk of His Word, we may grow to maturity of faith and have everlasting life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who bring us God’s Word and Sacraments, that they would be granted the gift of the Spirit, wisdom that comes down from above, and grace to faithfully fulfill their holy calling where He has placed them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church in her works of mercy, that she would be united in the common life and love of our Savior and so share that life and love with those in need, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the households of God’s people, that begotten in Holy Baptism, we may grow in His grace and share together in His forgiveness and life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who make, administer and judge the laws of our land, that they would be given wisdom, integrity and honor to serve according to God’s good will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the troubled in our midst, that Christ’s wounds would continue to bring His gladness, peace and comforting presence to His disciples [especially _____________]; and for those who weep, [especially _____________,] that in the difficult night of this world they would confidently expect the blessed joy of Easter morning, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who eat and drink the crucified and risen body and blood of our Lord, that they would taste that He is good and continually grow up into His salvation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank You that out of Your indescribable grace, for the sake of Your Son, You have given us the Holy Gospel and instituted the blessed Sacraments, that through them we may have comfort and the forgiveness of sin. Grant us Your Holy Spirit, that we may heartily believe Your Word, and through the Holy Sacraments establish our faith day by day, until at last we obtain eternal salvation; 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 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
Hymn of the Day — O Sons and Daughters of the King (LSB 470 or 471)
Lutheran Service Book 470 or 471
O Sons and Daughters of the King
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Second Sunday of Easter (One-Year) and Easter 2 (Series A, B and C). This record preserves the appointment identity only; it does not reproduce the Lutheran Service Book hymn text.
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 168 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Ye Sons and Daughters of the King — Historical TLH Edition
Historical text notice: This is the public-domain text of The Lutheran Hymnal 208, not the Lutheran Service Book 470 text. Wording and stanza form may differ.
1. Ye sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heavenly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave hath lost its sting:
Alleluia!
2. On that first morning of the week,
Before the day began to break,
The Marys went their Lord to seek:
Alleluia!
3. An angel bade their sorrow flee,
For thus he spake unto the three:
“Your Lord is gone to Galilee”:
Alleluia!
4. That night the Apostles met in fear,
Amidst them came their Lord most dear
And said: “Peace be unto you here”:
Alleluia!
5. When Thomas afterwards had heard
That Jesus had fulfilled His word,
He doubted if it were the Lord:
Alleluia!
6. “Thomas, behold My side,” saith He,
“My hands, My feet, My body, see;
“And doubt not, but believe in Me”:
Alleluia!
7. No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
“Thou art my Lord and God,” he cried:
Alleluia!
8. Blessed are they that have not seen
And yet whose faith hath constant been,
In Iife eternal they shall reign:
Alleluia!
9. On this most holy day of days
To God your hearts and voices raise
In laud and jubilee and praise:
Alleluia!
10. And we with holy Church unite,
As evermore is just and right,
In glory to the King of light:
Alleluia!
by unknown, c. 1600; Translated by John M. Neale, 1818-1866
Source: Project Wittenberg; The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn 208 (opens in a new tab). Public domain. Project Wittenberg permits distribution, copying and printing.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 487 Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain
- Distribution LSB 421 Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing
- Distribution LSB 596 All Christians Who Have Been Baptized
- Distribution LSB 488 He Is Arisen! Glorious Word
- Closing LSB 464 The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series B 2023–24 (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.