Sermon Helper Lectionary Resources
Ordinary · Year A · United Church of Christ

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost (also: Reformation Sunday) · United Church of Christ

United Church of Christ edition — hymn suggestions lead with Glory to God. See the general version.

October 25, 2026 — liturgical color: green

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Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) American Baptist Churches USA Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Non-denominational / Free Church (Generic) The Episcopal Church United Church of Christ United Methodist Church

Readings for Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost (also: Reformation Sunday)

Sermon angles to start your study

Starting points for your OWN study — not finished sermons.

The View from Nebo

Moses climbs Nebo and sees the whole promised land, yet he will not enter. Deuteronomy holds that tension without erasing it: God’s promise is sure, but one generation may only glimpse what another will inhabit. Preach on faithful endings and Spirit-filled transitions. Joshua receives wisdom through Moses’ laying on of hands, showing that God’s work continues beyond any single leader. The church can name unfinished callings without despair because God’s covenant outlives our roles.

Bold Integrity, Tender Presence

Paul defends his visit to Thessalonica, not with credentials but with character. He speaks of suffering, boldness in conflict, and motives tested by God, then shifts to the image of a nursing mother tenderly caring for her children. Preach a ministry of truth that is also self-giving. The gospel is not flattery, greed, or human performance, but God’s entrustment. Pastors and congregations can examine how proclamation is embodied in vulnerability and affection.

Love and Lordship

Jesus answers a lawyer’s test by uniting Deuteronomy’s call to love God with Leviticus’ command to love neighbor. All the law and prophets hang on this double love. Then Jesus reverses the test: David calls the Messiah Lord. Preach Christ as the one who both fulfills the love command and stands as David’s Lord at God’s right hand. Loving God and neighbor is not abstract moralism but life shaped by the identity of Jesus.

Illustrations from the tradition

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

Love for others

“"He who loves his neighbour as himself, as he knows that when he has sinned he does not wish to be punished, so neither does he punish those who sin.”

— Clementine Homilies, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 8

Lordship of Christ

“Christianity does not ask: "What think ye of the Bible? " It asks: "What think ye of Christ?”

— Unknown, The World's Great Sermons, Vol. 10 (ed. Kleiser)

Love for others

“The man who loves his neighbour as himself will wish for him the same good things that he wishes for himself, and no man will wish evil things for himself.”

— Justin Martyr, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1

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 Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Leader:From the plains of Moab, we climb the heights with Moses.
People:God shows us the breadth of the promised land.
Leader:Our eyes see the covenant God has kept with our ancestors.
People:Though some promises wait beyond our grasp, we trust the One who leads us onward.
Leader:God raises up servants full of the Spirit and wisdom.
People:We gather to honor the faithful who have gone before and to walk into God’s future.

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Frequently asked

What are the lectionary readings for October 25, 2026?
The Revised Common Lectionary readings for October 25, 2026 (Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost (also: Reformation Sunday), Year A) are: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46.
What season of the church year is October 25, 2026?
October 25, 2026 falls in the season of Ordinary. The liturgical color for the day is green.
What hymns fit the readings for Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost (also: Reformation Sunday)?
Hymns keyed to these texts — cross-referenced against Glory to God, The United Methodist Hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, and The Hymnal 1982 — include Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart, Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord, Brethren, We Have Met to Worship, For the Life That You Have Given, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, among others.
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