3rd Sunday in Lent
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
Women’s History Month.
03-08-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +
CONFESSION OF OUR SINS:
L Let us gather in the love of God, the grace of (+) Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
My sisters and brothers, we are all thirsty – aren’t we? – and our thirst runs deeper than physical thirst.
Therefore, with humility and honesty, let us pray to God…
C O Lord, get real personal with me, even as I go through the duties and deeds of ordinary life.
Intrude in my life, even though I’m not especially looking for You or trying to live holy.
Ask me questions about myself, even when the answers make me face who I really am.
Offer me living water, even when I deserve or expect condemnation from God.
I want to be changed by your love, a complete makeover.
I want to drink deeply of your Spirit.
I want to know You as the Savior of my soul and the Lord of my life.
And then – when I am transformed by the Gospel – give me feet to run and a voice to tell others. Amen.
L Friends, without Christ in our lives we are only dust without deliverance, parched without peace. But God in Christ Jesus
meets you and reaches out to you in the midst of your ordinary day, offering a glimpse, a touch, a taste of new life. It is
unexpected, unearned, and undeserved. In the name and for the sake of (+) Christ, I say to you who repent: All your
sins are forgiven. Be re-born! Come alive! Live as God’s people in the world. And make your love for God your first
priority. Today. Right now. To receive the Gospel or to bear it to others – either way, NOW is the time! Amen.
OPENING SONG: “Down at the Cross” Brown #72
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
Let us pray. O Lord, You are living water. Quench our thirst, wash away our sin, refresh and revive us, and
bring new life to ourselves and to others through Jesus Christ. Amen.
+ Renewal Through God’s Word +
WOMEN’S HISTORY MOMENT
FIRST READING: Exodus 17:1-7
[Water from the rock to weary wilderness whiners.)
SECOND READING: Romans 5:1-11
[Suffering… endurance… character… hope – what God’s love in Christ, poured into helpless believers like us, produces.]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Lord, let my heart be good soil, open to the seed of your word.
Lord, let my heart be good soil, where love can grow and peace is understood.
When my heart is hard, break the stone away.
When my heart is cold, warm it with the day.
When my heart is lost, lead me on your way.
Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart be good soil.”
THE GOSPEL: John 4:5-42
[Living Water for a thirsting woman… refreshing relief for thirsting others. When we encounter Christ, new life is offered.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen
SONG RESPONSE: “A Time to Serve” (Green Tune #474)
1 Jesus hears his children crying, sees them hungry, lost, and dying.
Who will comfort all their sorrows? Who will brighten their tomorrows?
2 When we aid the poor and lonely, we’re not caring for them only.
When our love some suff’ring eases, we have done the same for Jesus.
3 When we join our Savior’s service, He will strengthen and preserve us;
He will guide our daily living, and He’ll bless the love we’re giving.
4 Jesus pleads with us to reach them with our gifts of love, and teach them
that the kindness we are giving is the Christian way of living.
5 Rise and follow, He will lead us! Heed the cries of those who need us!
And when life has ended for us, heaven’s glories lie before us.
A CONFESSION OF FAITH (based on today’s Second Reading):
In the face of the difficult circumstances and challenging conflicts that we encounter in life,
we believe that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character,
and character produces hope,
and hope does not disappoint us,
because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us new life! Amen.
THE PRAYERS… We pray that THE WAY OF THE CROSS will continue to impact our lives!
+ Revival Through God’s Meal +
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We have been blessed by GRACE to be a blessing of GRATEFUL GENEROSITY!
Are you ready to run like the Samaritan woman and tell your friends and neighbors GOOD news? Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate. Those farther away can: mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138… or contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions for your contribution.
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR.
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “I Know It Was the Blood”
(1) I know it was the blood… I know it was the blood… I know it was the blood for me.
One day when I was lost, he died upon the cross… I know it was the blood for me.
(2) It was my Savior’s blood…
(3) They pierced him in the side…
(4) He’s coming back again…
OFFERING PRAYER (from PSALM 51) led by the Communion Assistant:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me with your bountiful spirit.
Then I will teach other sinners your ways; and I will eagerly sing of your goodness. Amen.
THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L The Lord delivers us from sin and death… C … and grants us salvation and eternal life!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous distribution” with wafers and either wine or grape juice. CHRIST IS PRESENT IN BREAD AND WINE – HIS OWN BODY AND BLOOD – TO SAVE YOU FROM YOURSELF!
COMMUNION SONGS: “All to Jesus I Surrender” Brown #235
“Let Us Break Bread Together” Brown #123
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ Righteousness Through God’s Spirit +
THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor… God calls us to “return home” to faithful discipleship!
CLOSING SONG: “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” Brown #66
(1) I want Jesus to walk with me… I want Jesus to walk with me.
All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
(2) In my trials, Lord, walk with me… In my trials, Lord, walk with me.
When my heart is almost breaking, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
(3) When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me… When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me.
When my head is bowed in sorrow, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.