Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026 – August 23

On August 23, we will celebrate the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026 with Morning Prayer.

This Sunday’s readings focus on identity, purpose, and the nature of the Church. Isaiah reminds the people to remember their roots and trust that God’s salvation will endure forever. The psalmist expresses gratitude and praises God, confident that the Lord will fulfill His purpose. Paul encourages the Romans to present themselves as living sacrifices and to recognize that they are one body made up of many members, each with different gifts. Meanwhile, Jesus asks his disciples who they believe Him to be and declares that on this rock He will build His Church.

Join us for worship in the way that suits you best! You can worship with us in person or via Podcast.

If You Cannot Join Us In Person for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026!

We recognize that you may not always be able to attend in person; therefore, we provide virtual options.

Live Stream/Replay

You can join us from the comfort of your home, either live or at your convenience. Our livestream begins at 8:50 AM with the organ prelude, and the service starts at 9 AM. If you miss it, you can watch the replay anytime after the service.

Podcast

Did you know that we are available on all major platforms? Our podcast covers everything from the opening hymn to the closing blessing.

The Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Readings for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Old Testament: Isaiah 51:1–6

Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many. For the Lord will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.

Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended.

Epistle: Romans 12:1–8

I 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. Do 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. For 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. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13–20

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And 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. And 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. I 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.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Reflection on the Readings for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2026

Look to the Rock from Which You Were Hewn – Isaiah 51:1–6

Isaiah speaks to a people who have lost their way and forgotten their roots and identity. The prophet urges them to remember: “Listen to me, you who seek righteousness and pursue the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug.”

The language is vivid and tactile. The people are not merely abstract concepts; they are like stones carved from rock—shaped, extracted, and refined. They emerge from a quarry as raw materials that have been intentionally crafted. This is how Isaiah encourages them to see themselves: as creations shaped by God, made with purpose, and not as accidents or afterthoughts.

“Look to Abraham, your ancestor, and to Sarah, who gave you life; he was just one person when I called him, but I blessed him and made him into many. Abraham and Sarah are the foundation of your people; they are your ancestors, the roots, and the source of your lineage. The story of Abraham illustrates God’s transformative power: he began as one individual, and through God’s blessing, he became many.”

“The Lord will comfort Zion; He will bring solace to all her desolate areas and transform her wilderness into an Eden, making her desert resemble the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will abound there, along with thanksgiving and the sound of singing. The desolate areas will be consoled, and the wilderness will be transformed into a flourishing Eden. This is the promise: transformation, restoration, and beauty will bloom in previously desolate places.”

Isaiah looks beyond the present moment to grasp the larger context of God’s purposes. He urges, “Listen to me, my people, and pay attention, my nation; for a teaching will come from me, and my justice will be a light for all peoples.” God’s teachings and justice are not meant only for Israel; they are intended for everyone.

“Lift your eyes to the heavens and observe the earth beneath you; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like an old garment, and those who dwell upon it will perish like gnats. However, my salvation will last forever, and my deliverance will never come to an end.”

Everything that is temporary will eventually fade away. The heavens, which we often perceive as eternal, will vanish like smoke. The earth, upon which we stand, will wear out like an old garment. However, God’s salvation is everlasting, and His deliverance is eternal. This is the perspective that Isaiah encourages us to embrace: to trust in the eternal amidst the temporary.

The Lord Will Make Good His Purpose – Psalm 138

I will thank you sincerely, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods, I will sing your praises.

The psalmist exalts God for His love and faithfulness, recognizing that He has elevated His name and His word above all. These essential qualities of God—His love, faithfulness, and the reverence for His word—elicit this response.

“When I called, you answered me; you strengthened my spirit.” The psalmist shares a personal experience. When he faced need, God responded. When he required strength, God provided it. This is not just a theory; it is a lived reality.

The psalmist envisions a wider scope of praise: “All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Lord, when they have heard the words of your mouth. They will sing about the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.” The praise of one individual serves as a catalyst for universal acclaim. The kings of the earth will listen and respond; they will sing of God’s ways and acknowledge His glory.

The psalm offers more than just grand visions. It states, “Though the Lord is high, He cares for the lowly; He perceives the haughty from afar.” God’s greatness does not create a distance between Him and those who are humble. While He sees the proud from a distance and understands how to address their arrogance, He takes a special interest in the lowly, being present with them and attentive to their needs.

“Even when I find myself surrounded by trouble, You keep me safe. You extend Your hand against the fury of my enemies, and Your right hand saves me.” This highlights that in times of difficulty and when facing adversaries, God actively protects and saves us. It illustrates a deep and tangible experience of trust.

The psalm concludes with a powerful assurance: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; O Lord, your love endures forever. Do not abandon the work of your hands.” God’s purpose is being fulfilled, and His love is everlasting. He will not abandon the work He has started in us. This is the foundation of our confidence.

Present Yourself as a Living Sacrifice – Romans 12:1–8

Paul starts this passage with a sincere appeal grounded in mercy: “I urge you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship.”

This is an extraordinary claim. Presenting your body—your entire self—as a living sacrifice is a form of spiritual worship. It is not an alternative to worship; rather, it is the essence of worship itself. This type of worship is not found in temples or through priests offering animals; instead, it is expressed through the offering of our own bodies, lives, and selves.

“Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by renewing your minds, so that you can discern the will of God—what is good, acceptable, and perfect.” The world has its own shape and mold that it encourages us to follow. However, Paul urges us to resist this conformity and seek transformation through the renewal of our minds. This process of renewal allows us to understand God’s will and to recognize what is truly good, acceptable, and perfect.

Paul discusses the danger of having an exaggerated sense of self-worth: “Because of the grace given to me, I urge each of you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, think accurately, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

Paul uses the metaphor of a body to describe the Church: “Just as a body has many parts, and each part serves a different function, we, though we are many, are one body in Christ. Individually, we are all members of one another.”

This is crucial: the many are one body. We are all members of one another, and we are not isolated individuals; we are part of a whole. Just as different parts of the body have different functions, we each have unique gifts that vary according to the grace given to us. These gifts include prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ministry, in serving; teaching; encouragement; generosity from the giver; diligence from the leader; and cheerfulness from those who show compassion.

Each gift is unique and reflects the faith or abilities of the individual. Every gift contributes to the greater whole. Prophets share their insights based on their faith, teachers provide education, generous givers offer their support, leaders guide with diligence, and compassionate individuals serve with joy. The diversity of these gifts is not a challenge to be solved; rather, it is essential for the effective functioning of the community.

You Are Peter, and on This Rock – Matthew 16:13–20

Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They reply that some believe he is John the Baptist, others think he is Elijah, some say he is Jeremiah, and still others believe he is one of the prophets. While these responses are positive, they classify Jesus as a prophet, implying that he continues or echoes the ministry of the great prophets from the past.

“But who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks. This is the crucial question. It’s not about what the crowd thinks or what the rumor-mongers say; it’s about your own belief.

Simon Peter responds by declaring, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” This statement is a profound confession. Peter does not imply that Jesus is simply similar to the prophets; instead, he asserts that Jesus is the Messiah—the anointed one toward whom all of Israel’s history is directed. Furthermore, Peter declares that Jesus is not only the Messiah but also the Son of the living God.

Jesus blesses Simon, the son of Jonah, explaining that this truth was revealed not through human means, but by my Father in heaven.

This is important. Peter’s confession did not arise from human reasoning or observation; it was a revelation from God. “Flesh and blood”—human effort and intelligence—cannot uncover this truth. Only God can reveal who Jesus is.

In this statement, Jesus says, “And 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.” This contains a play on words. The name Peter (Petros in Greek, Cephas in Aramaic) means “rock” or “stone.” When Jesus says, “You are Peter,” he is essentially saying “You are a rock,” and then he adds, “and on this rock, I will build my church.” This emphasizes that he will establish his Church on Peter, highlighting the steadfastness represented by Peter’s confession.

“I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Peter is given the keys, symbolizing his authority to permit or deny access. His decisions on earth will significantly impact heaven; whatever Peter chooses to bind or loose here will also be bound or loosed in the heavenly realm.

This authority is extraordinary, not because of Peter’s strength, intelligence, or family background, but due to his confession of the truth about Jesus.

“Then he firmly instructed the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” After this significant statement, Jesus commands them to keep silent. The nature of Jesus’ role as the Messiah is not meant to be publicly revealed at this time. As the Gospel unfolds, it will become clear that the true essence of who Jesus is as the Messiah will be demonstrated through his death and resurrection.

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Wrap-Up

The readings collectively convey a clear vision of identity, purpose, and the nature of the Church. Isaiah reminds the people to remember their origins, trust in God’s eternal salvation, and have faith that God will transform desolate places into a flourishing Eden. The psalmist praises God’s faithfulness and expresses gratitude for how God fulfills His purposes. Paul describes the Church as one body made up of many members, each with unique gifts, all dedicating their lives as living sacrifices. Jesus emphasizes that the Church will be built upon Peter’s confession that He is the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

As we approach the end of the season after Pentecost, these readings encourage us to reflect on our identity as God’s people. They invite us to trust in God’s eternal plans, recognize our role in the Body of Christ, offer ourselves as living sacrifices, and firmly affirm our belief that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

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The Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospels readings are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Collect and Psalm are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.