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Ordinary · Year A · The Episcopal Church

Proper 13 (Ordinary 18) · The Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church edition — hymn suggestions lead with The Hymnal 1982 (Episcopal). See the general version.

August 2, 2026 — liturgical color: green

Jump to your tradition's hymnal & calendar notes:

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Readings for Proper 13 (Ordinary 18)

Sermon angles to start your study

Starting points for your OWN study — not finished sermons.

God's Lavish Invitation

Isaiah 55 calls out to the thirsty and penniless, offering water, wine, and milk without cost. This angle explores the absurd generosity of God, who invites all to a feast that money cannot buy. Preach on the empty promises of worldly satisfaction—labor for that which does not satisfy—and contrast it with the rich provision of God's word, which alone can truly nourish the soul and form us into a people of witness to the nations.

Compassion That Crosses the Divide

Romans 9 reveals Paul’s deep anguish for his own people, even wishing himself accursed for their sake. This angle focuses on the tension between divine election and human rejection. Preach on how Christ’s own compassion mirrors Paul’s grief, moving beyond ethnic boundaries. The reading challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we carry such costly love for those who seem far from God, and what does it mean that the very gifts of Israel now extend to all?

The Miracle of Shared Scarcity

Matthew 14 shows Jesus feeding the crowd not by creating abundance from nothing but by blessing the little his disciples already have. This angle highlights the disciples’ initial instinct to send people away and contrasts it with Christ’s command: 'You give them something to eat.' Preach on how the church, faced with overwhelming need, is called to bring its meager resources to Christ, who multiplies them through compassion, teaching us to trust in his provision even in desolate places.

Illustrations from the tradition

Teasers from Sermon Helper's illustration archive, matched to this week's texts.

Christ our shepherd

“The crowds in the desert were like unto sheep that have no shepherd. The Merciful became their shepherd, and multiplied to them the pasture of bread.”

— Ephraim the Syrian, Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 13

Incarnation

“Believe thou that this only begotten Son of God, on account of our sins, came down from heaven to earth...”

— Cyril of Jerusalem, Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 3

God's presence

“We, of ourselves, cannot feed one soul, much less thousands; but when the Lord is with us we can keep as good a table as Solomon himself.”

— C. H. Spurgeon, Talks to Farmers

Hymn suggestions by hymnal

Cross-referenced to this week's texts via the Hymnary.org scripture index.

Call to worship

One responsive reading for each of the day's lessons — original compositions grounded in the passage. Free to adapt.

Based on Isaiah 55:1-5

Leader:Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
People:We come, for God offers wine and milk without price, an everlasting covenant of steadfast love.
Leader:Why spend your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen, that your soul may delight in rich food.
People:We incline our ears, for God will make with us an eternal covenant, and we shall witness to the nations.

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Frequently asked

What are the lectionary readings for August 2, 2026?
The Revised Common Lectionary readings for August 2, 2026 (Proper 13 (Ordinary 18), Year A) are: Isaiah 55:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21.
What season of the church year is August 2, 2026?
August 2, 2026 falls in the season of Ordinary. The liturgical color for the day is green.
What hymns fit the readings for Proper 13 (Ordinary 18)?
Hymns keyed to these texts — cross-referenced against Glory to God, The United Methodist Hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, and The Hymnal 1982 — include Break Thou the Bread of Life, For the Bread Which You Have Broken, Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ, Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service, My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, among others.
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