FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT Women’s History Month. 03-15-2026
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Women’s History Month.
03-15-2026 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, brothers, many of us are better at discussing the sins of others than seeing our own.
But there is hope, and we need not wander in darkness and despair through this life’s journey to a dead end.
Therefore, with humility and honesty, let us pray to God…
C Lord, I am lost if you take your hand from me.
I am blind without thy Light to see.
Lord, just always let me thy servant be.
Lead me, oh Lord, lead me.
Before it is too late in my life, let me see, accept, and bear your Light.
Wash my eyes, ears, mind, heart, tongue, hands, and life of every dark shadow that gets in the way.
I want to know you as the Savior of my soul and serve you as the Lord of my life. Amen.
L Come, all you who are blind but long to see, all who stumble in the dark but yearn for light! Jesus Christ can bring you
light and life. Now is the time to seek healing and refreshment! Now is the time to receive enlightenment and boldness!
In the name and for the sake of (+) Christ, I say to you who repent: All your sins are forgiven. Today Christ shines the
light of his truth upon you and grants you victory over every secret and shame. Today Christ opens your eyes with fresh
insight for spiritual breakthroughs. Receive the gift. Walk in the Light. Hallelujah, thank you, Jesus! Hallelujah and Amen!
OPENING SONG: “Amazing Grace” Tan #271
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
O Lord, You are the light I need to face the shadows, the sorrows, the sins, and the situations of living as your created person on this earth. Help me to see right and to shine bright, seeking to do and to become what is pleasing to You. Amen.
+ Renewal Through God’s Word +
WOMEN’S HISTORY MOMENT
FIRST READING: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 [not printed today]
[“Mortals look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”]
SECOND READING: Ephesians 5:8-14 [not printed today]
[“Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light.”]
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 9:1-41
[“One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “Open Our Eyes, Lord” ( Brown #98 )
Open our eyes, Lord; we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen. Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
THE PRAYERS…We pray that THE WAY OF THE CROSS will continue to impact our lives and world!
+ Revival Through God’s Meal +
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We have been blessed by GRACE to be a blessing of GRATEFUL GENEROSITY!
With our living and our loving, our giving and our sharing, the good news of Jesus Christ can become more visible in the world. Shine bright! Shine steady! 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.