5th Sunday in Lent Women’s History Month. 03-22-2026
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Women’s History Month.
03-22-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +
CONFESSION OF OUR SINS:
L We begin the way in which we were baptized, in the name of the Father, (+) the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Come, all you whose bones are dried up by your daily living, whose hearts are worn out by discouragement and weighed down in despair, whose minds are bound up by death and decay. Now more than ever, let us seek new life and pray to
God…
C Creator God, I have meat on my bones and breath in my body, but I have no power.
Sometimes I feel like I am more dead than alive, with my joy lost, my meaning gone, my hope evaporated.
Forgive me for the times I have stopped seeking your presence or trusting your possibilities.
Forgive me for the times I have wrapped myself up in a shroud of sin.
Forgive me for the times I have embraced the shadows of darkness and death as my reality today and
as my future tomorrow.
Lord, can I really be made alive? Lord, can these dry bones rise up once more?
Lord, I want to live! Lord, help me to live! Amen.
L Jesus stands in our midst this morning and shares our tears, looks upon our pile of bones and dust, and proclaims to
each and to all, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and all
who live and believe in me will never die.” In the name and for the sake of (+) Christ, I say to you who repent: All your
sins are forgiven. God through Christ can bring life out of death, joy out of sorrow, and hope out of despair So take a
deep breath! Come alive this morning! And keep on living! Hallelujah and Amen!
OPENING SONG: “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed?” Brown #71
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY:
O Lord, breathe upon us your Spirit and stir within us your love and your power. We want to live.
Restore us, renew us, and raise us up to new hope and faithful service as your people. We want to love.
Amen.
+ Renewal Through God’s Word +
WOMEN’S HISTORY MOMENT
FIRST READING: Ezekiel 37:1-14 [not printed today]
[Dry bones revived – a matter of life and breath!]
A PSALM:Psalm 130 [lesson insert]
[Waiting in hope and prayer for forgiveness from the Lord]
SECOND READING: Romans 8:6-11 [not printed today]
[Daily living that is alive – Spirit over flesh!]
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: John11:1-45 [lesson insert]
[Dead that doesn’t keep and grief that doesn’t stay – the power of Christ!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen
SONG RESPONSE: “Hold On Just a Little While Longer”
(1) Hold on just a little while longer… hold on just a little while longer…
Hold on just a little while longer… Everything will be alright!
(2) Pray on just a little while longer… (4) Serve on just a little while longer…
(3) Walk on just a little while longer… (5) Live on just a little while longer…
THE PRAYERS… We pray that THE WAY OF THE CROSS will continue to impact our lives and world!
+ Revival Through God’s Meal +
THE PEACE GREETING… We are reconciled and united with each other by sharing GOD’S LOVE!
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We have been blessed by GRACE to be a blessing of GRATEFUL GENEROSITY!
To set our mind on what we can grab and get for just us is death. But to focus our daily living on what we can give in our response to God is new life for us and our world. So let us rise up in action, come alive, and offer love! 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! This morning we will come up by
the center aisle and kneel or stand at the altar. Get an empty glass as you come up if you want wine from the chalice;
we will also have a tray of poured glasses of grape juice at the altar. We will return to our seats by the side aisles. CHRIST IS HERE IN BREAD AND WINE – HIS OWN BODY AND BLOOD – TO FORGIVE, UNITE, EMPOWER, AND PROMISE US!
COMMUNION SONGS: ”I’ll Fly Away” Brown #176
“Now Behold the Lamb” Brown #128
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.