Revised Common Lectionary Readings for August 23, 2026

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, August 23, 2026

First Reading Exodus 1:8-2:10 8Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. 10Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. They built supply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. 12But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. 13The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites. 14and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them. 15The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16“When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” 17But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. 18So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” 19The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. 21And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. 22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.” 1Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman.2The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. 3When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. 4His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. 5The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. 6When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him, “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. 7Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. 10When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, “because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.” Psalm Psalm 124:1-8 1   If it had not been the LORD who was on our side           — let Israel now say — 2   if it had not been the LORD who was on our side,           when our enemies attacked us, 3   then they would have swallowed us up alive,           when their anger was kindled against us; 4   then the flood would have swept us away,           the torrent would have gone over us; 5   then over us would have gone           the raging waters. 6   Blessed be the LORD,           who has not given us           as prey to their teeth. 7   We have escaped like a bird           from the snare of the fowlers;      the snare is broken,           and we have escaped. 8   Our help is in the name of the LORD,           who made heaven and earth. Second Reading Romans 12:1-8 1I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Gospel Matthew 16:13-20 13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, August 24 and Sunday, August 30, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, August 24, 2026 - That we look past their differences and unite as a country.
• Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - That we have the courage to confront the violence within our society.
• Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - That police officers remember they are servants of their communities.
• Thursday, August 27, 2026 - That parents and communities would teach young people the importance of love and compassion.
• Friday, August 28, 2026 - That those in national authority receive godly counsel and God-fearing advisors.
• Saturday, August 29, 2026 - That we condemn racism in all of its forms.
• Sunday, August 30, 2026 - That we be thankful for the blessings we've received.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, August 16, 2026

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: Jesus reframes the ten commandments from a list of external rules into matters of the heart. He taught that true righteousness is not merely...

Sunday's Message (The 10 Commandments Through the Eyes of Jesus: Honor Your Father and Mother)

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message (The 10 Commandments Through the ...: Jesus reframes the ten commandments from a list of external rules into matters of the heart. He taught that true righteousness is not merely...

WCC news: WCC joins Zimbabwe churches in prayer after ferry tragedy

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, in a letter to the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and WCC member churches in Zimbabwe, expressed heartfelt solidarity to the people of Zimbabwe, and especially to the families and communities affected by the tragic ferry disaster on Lake Kariba.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 18 August 2026 “We have learned with profound sadness that the death toll from the capsizing of the ferry has risen to at least 92 people, with search and recovery operations continuing,” wrote Pillay. “Among those who have lost their lives are 18 children.” Behind these numbers, Pillay noted, are mothers and fathers, children and young people, relatives, friends, neighbours and members of communities whose lives have been changed forever.  “At this painful moment, we stand alongside the churches and people of Zimbabwe,” Pillay wrote. “We join you in prayer, mourning, and compassion.” He prayed that the churches may be places of refuge, consolation, and practical support for all those affected.  “We also hope and pray that an official inquiry will be undertaken, that justice and accountability will be pursued for the victims and their families, and that a comprehensive review of the policies and safety measures governing the protection of civilians will follow, so that such a tragedy may not be repeated,” Pillay urged. “May the God of compassion draw near to all who mourn.” Read the full letter See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Looking into the lectionary - Nominate a faith leader we should know

Exodus 3:1-15 14th Sunday after Pentecost 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time August 30, 2026 The bush was burning but not burned up. That is the hook of this famous story. It is the scientific impossibility that causes Moses to turn aside and look. It is the image that has captured the faithful imagination for centuries. There are certainly many threads in this passage for a faithful preacher to follow; but at this moment, having just celebrated my 10th year as an ordained pastor, I am as amazed as Moses was at the idea of a bush – or a person – burning but not burnt up. Burning but not, to use the parlance of our day, burnt out. It’s no secret that the pastoral profession suffers heavily from burnout. Fewer studies focus on congregation members, but I suspect any faithful, committed member of the body of Christ sometimes flirts with exhaustion of the soul. There is so much we are called to do by God, by our families, by our workplaces, and by our churches, that even the most energetic volunteer is in danger of running out of fuel. Burnout – showing up as apathy, rage, cynicism, and withdrawal – haunts our pulpits and our pews. And yet God appears to Moses as a fire that burns but does not consume. God’s nature is not to destroy. God does not demand, applaud or admire our slow self-destruction, either. It sounds obvious, but the church has such a long tradition of asking folks to sacrifice themselves to God’s service that I think it needs to be said. God is the fire that burns in us, that animates us, that gives us heat and strength and power. God is not the fire that leaves us dry and brittle and empty inside. I am not about to propose a cure, antidote or vaccine for burnout. But I do think there are instructive lessons in this ancient call story to help us stay connected to the holiness that does not destroy what it inhabits. The first lesson: know what your call is. God is beautifully specific about Moses’ call. “I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” True, it is an overwhelming, near-impossible, potentially deadly job, but at least Moses knows what he’ll be doing. He is not called to save everyone who suffers across the world. God sends him to this one people.... Thank you to this week's writer, Carol Holbrook Prickett. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for August 23, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — August 30, 2026 by Carol Holbrook Prickett A prayer for parents who are afraid by Naomi McQuiller   Can attending a school board meeting be an act of ministry? by Owen Gray A case for the title 'commissioned pastor' by Janet Benson Nominate a faith leader we should know by Teri McDowell Ott Remembering the Rev. Dr. Joanna Moseley Adams by McKenna Britton

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... A prayer for seminarians Naomi McQuiller offers a prayer for seminarians entering a new academic year with curiosity, uncertainty and hope, asking God for peace, endurance and moments of joy. Blessed are the peacemakers in a militarized world Mihee Kim-Kort shares what remembering the Korean War, American militarism and the church’s witness can teach us. Shadows of the Republic: The Rebirth of Fascism in America and How to Defeat It for Good Amy Pagliarella reviews Omer Aziz's "Shadows of the Republic," tracing America's fascist roots and offering a local-action playbook for fighting back. The garden of a PC(USA) church in Georgia feeds the community and earns an Earth Care Congregation certification Kevin’s Garden began in 2011 as a way to remember a young church member who passed away. — Presbyterian News Service  Discussion guide for July/August 2026 issue In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation. — Donald L. Griggs Three PC(USA) pastors discuss the joy of working toward their certificate in older adult ministry Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network and Columbia Seminary’s Center for Lifelong Learning have partnered to train more than 175 people to date. — Mike Ferguson

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

WCC News: Ukrainian churches appeal for Worldwide prayer as expression of solidarity

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations is appealing for churches everywhere to join a Worldwide Prayer for Ukraine on 24 August, which also marks the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence. Prayer during the 30th anniversary commemoration of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations on 16 July 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine, attended by the ecumenical delegation from the World Council of Churches. Photo: Deacon Andrii Sydor/Orthodox Church of Ukraine 13 August 2026   The prayer will serve “not only as a spiritual expression of solidarity with Ukraine but also as an affirmation of the values of freedom, human dignity, peace, and the right of peoples to determine their own future,” reads the appeal. World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay invited WCC member churches and all people of good will to join in the prayer.  “United through prayer, we stand in hope that the pain, trauma, and suffering of innocent people will at last come to an end,” said Pillay. “As we said in June, at our previous Global Prayer for Ukraine, light always triumphs over darkness.”  A WCC delegation visited Ukraine from 14-17 July, witnessing the unity and dedication of religious leaders from different churches and faiths as they minister with and serve  the people of Ukraine in a time of war. Pillay reiterated that the WCC remains committed to journeying with the faith communities and people of Ukraine in their struggle against an illegal and immoral war. We pray that the war will end and peace will return and lives will be saved from further deaths and destruction.  Information and materials related to the Worldwide Prayer for Ukraine are available at www.prayforukraine.org.ua. Appeal of the UCCRO concerning the Worldwide Prayer for Ukraine on 24 August 2026 WCC delegation makes solidarity visit to Ukraine (WCC news release, 17 July 2026) In Ukraine, churches “sustain hope when hope has been tested” (WCC news release, 17 July 2026) Global Prayer for Peace in Ukraine: “Light always triumphs over darkness” (WCC news release, 11 June 2026) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland