Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 20)
The Common Worship lectionary readings for Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 20) in Year A, the liturgical colour, and what changes in the order of service.
Year AOrdinary Timegreen
The readings
This Sunday is a Proper, so the Old Testament reading and psalm come in two tracks. Choose one and stay with it for the season — the continuous track reads a book straight through week by week; the related track picks an Old Testament reading that speaks to the Gospel.
- Continuous track
- First reading
- Exodus 16:2-15
- Psalm
- Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
- Second reading
- Philippians 1:21-30
- Gospel
- Matthew 20:1-16
- Related track
- First reading
- Jonah 3:10-4:11
- Psalm
- Psalm 145:1-8
- Second reading
- Philippians 1:21-30
- Gospel
- Matthew 20:1-16
Citations follow the Revised Common Lectionary as used in the Church of England's Common Worship principal service lectionary. Verse numbering can differ very slightly between Bible translations.
The liturgical colour
Green is the colour of the two long ordinary stretches — growth, and the ordinary faithfulness of most of the year. On this Sunday the colour is green.
What changes in the service
The standard shape: Gloria and Creed included, nothing seasonal displacing them.
In SundayHQ this is the ordinary template shape. You set your order of service once; when the season turns, one click applies the seasonal change and leaves the rest of your parish's own wording alone.
Hymns that fit these readings
Suggestions matched to the readings above, each with the reason it was chosen:
- Opening — All people that on earth do dwell Old Hundredth: nobody needs the book
- Gradual — There's a wideness in God's mercy The labourers in the vineyard: grace that offends fairness
- Offertory — Now thank we all our God Thanksgiving at the preparation of the table
- Communion — Be thou my vision Slane; quiet and universally known
- Final — Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go Sends them into the working week
When it next falls
| Date | Liturgical year |
|---|---|
| 20 September 2026 | Year A |
| 23 September 2029 | Year A |
| 19 September 2032 | Year A |
| 23 September 2035 | Year A |
Year A comes round every three years. The date moves because the whole calendar hangs off Easter.
The same Sunday in the other years
Questions
What are the readings for Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 20) in Year A?
First reading Jonah 3:10-4:11; Psalm 145:1-8; second reading Philippians 1:21-30; Gospel Matthew 20:1-16.
What colour is worn on Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 20)?
Green. Green is the colour of the two long ordinary stretches — growth, and the ordinary faithfulness of most of the year.
Which season is Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 20) in?
Ordinary Time. The long green season after Trinity, running to Christ the King. The Sundays are numbered after Trinity and carry the RCL Propers.