Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
October 18, 2026
October 18th
In today’s first reading God uses the Gentile ruler Cyrus to accomplish divine purposes. When the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to him and to God what belongs to God. To gather for worship reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God rather than to any earthly authority. Created in the image of God, we offer our entire selves in the service of God and for the sake of the world.
Readings of the day:

Isaiah 45:1-7
An earthly ruler as the instrument of God’s will


Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13]
Ascribe to the Lord honor and power. (Ps. 96:7)


1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Thanksgiving for the church at Thessalonica


Matthew 22:15-22
A teaching on giving to the emperor and to God

In Our Prayers
This Week: October 18, 2026

This week we pray --

-- protect all those who live in lands or homes affected by violence, war, oppression, or persecution, espically in Gaza, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Ukraine, Russia, Haiti, and Nigeria.

-- Those hospitalized, in a rehabilitation center, ill this week, grieving, or who have otherwise requested prayer include:  John, Gwen, Tina, Jim, and Luke.

--with the World Council of Churches: all the churches in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

--with the Montana Synod: Pella Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sidney; First Lutheran Church, Savage; Grace Lutheran Church, Skaar; Saco Lutheran Church, Saco;  and all churches in the Northwestern Ohio Synod and the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod.

CtK App: Prayers may be added at any time on the Prayer Wall on the CtK App, to be shared by everyone using the CtK App. 

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