Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
October 25, 2026
Proper 25
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Lev. 19:1–2, 15–18 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
- Psalm
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Psalm 1 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
- Epistle
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1 Thess. 2:1–13 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
- Gospel
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Matt. 22:34–46 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question,tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Proper 25
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
In Divine and Holy Love, the Lord Jesus Sanctifies Us by the Gospel of His Cross
The people of God are to be holy as He is holy. Therefore, we should fear, love and trust in Him above all things, and in such faith “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). Such faith toward God and love for the neighbor are the two great commandments upon which “depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:40). The Lord, our God Himself, has fulfilled His Law on our behalf — in His great love for us, with all His heart and soul and mind, and in a body of flesh and blood like ours. David’s Lord has become David’s Son, so that all our enemies might be put under His feet and that we might be exalted to the right hand of God in Him (Matt. 22:43–45). So His servants bear His cross in faith and love. For the sake of the Gospel, they suffer persecution for their work, bearing their burdens in gentleness, “like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (1 Thess. 2:7). In like manner and with tender affection, they exhort and encourage “like a father with his children” (1 Thess. 2:11–12).
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 KJV 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 October 29, 2023 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Faithful and true God, You have set us free from sin by the blood of Your Son. Grant that we would love You with all our heart, all our soul and all our mind, and that we would love our neighbor as ourselves. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of truth, You alone test all hearts. Bless those who bear Your Gospel, that they would speak not to please men but to please You. Preserve them from error, impunity and any attempt to deceive. Grant that those who hear them receive it as Your Word, working life and salvation in them. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of all, Your works are beyond number. Bless parents as they recount these wondrous deeds to their children, that all may give You thanks with their whole heart. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, You are a stronghold for the oppressed. Remember those who put their trust in You and who suffer for the sake of Jesus. Give them comfort and strength to withstand all trouble, and preserve them in the joy of Your salvation until Your deliverance comes. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, You do not forsake those who seek You. Look with kindness on all who cry to You for help and deliverance [especially _____________]. Restore them to soundness and strength according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You command Your people to be holy, and You make them holy in Christ. Gather them to the Holy Communion this day in repentance and faith, that they may receive His body and blood for their righteousness and salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
In Your faithfulness, O God, You have delivered Your saints into Your kingdom. Encourage us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling until we stand with them before Your throne. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2022–2023 (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 October 29, 2023 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That we may love God with all our heart, all our soul and all our mind, and that we may love our neighbor as ourselves, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who bear the Gospel, that they would be preserved holy and righteous, blameless, and free from all error or deceit; and for all who hear, that they may receive it as Your Word, working life and salvation in them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For parents, that God would strengthen them to recount His wondrous deeds to their children to the thanks and praise of His goodness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who suffer for the sake of Jesus, that their Stronghold would comfort and preserve them in the joy of His salvation until His deliverance comes, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who seek the Lord for help, [especially _____________,] that God would not forsake their cries but restore them to soundness and strength, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who partake of the Holy Communion, that by it Christ would sanctify them through faith and through His body and blood, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for all the saints whom our Lord has delivered into His kingdom, that we may be encouraged to walk in a manner worthy of our calling until we stand with them forever, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Rejoicing in His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2022–2023 (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 411 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 25 (Series A).
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.
LSB 579 The Law of God Is Good and Wise
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Proper 25 (Series A).
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 700 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
- Distribution LSB 694 Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower
- Distribution LSB 705 The Man Is Ever Blessed
- Closing LSB 411 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
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.