Worship Bulletin for 2nd Sunday in Lent
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
Women’s History Month.
03-01-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
95th ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S
+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +
CONFESSION OF OUR SINS:
L Let us gather in the presence, peace, power, and promise of the God of our creation and salvation (+), Amen.
My sisters and brothers, sometimes we are just like Nicodemus, the Jewish Pharisee who went to meet Jesus in the
night… sometimes our religion is stale, boring, and lifeless… sometimes we realize that we have drifted away from God.
Do you sincerely want to get back on track? If so, God will help you. With humility and honesty, let us pray…
C Gracious God, I am going through the motions but don’t always have the inner motivation.
I have the patterns of religion but not the power of faith.
I have the ritual of the same old liturgies, hymns, sermons, and sanctuary seat but not the Spirit.
I sense that something is not right in my relationship with you, O God.
I need a personal re-introduction to Jesus Christ.
O God, open my wilting heart to the fresh winds of your Holy Spirit.
O God, revitalize my dryness with the wet drops of your grace.
I want to be reborn, renewed, refreshed, and rededicated in my walk with Christ. Amen.
L Brothers and sisters, the God who has given us life offers us a new birth, a new way to live. God so loved the world that
Jesus came to live among us and was willing to die for us. 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. Amen.
OPENING SONG: “To God Be the Glory” Brown #264
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
Let us pray. O God, I am both excited and scared by your invitation to trust You enough to follow You, and
to love You enough to serve You. May I always look to Jesus for strength, for courage, and for new life. Amen.
+ Renewal Through God’s Word +
WOMEN’S HISTORY “TEMPLE TALK”
FIRST READING: Genesis 12:1-4Aa
[Abram and Sarai begin a journey in the promise of God – with trust!]
SECOND READING: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
[Abraham did not earn a prize but received a gift – by faith!]
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 3:1-17
[God’s wind/spirit of a new birth to a new life – offered through Jesus Christ!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “Lift Him Up” Brown #227
A CONFESSION OF FAITH (PSALM 121):
I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
The Lord will not let your foot be moved, nor will the one who watched over you fall asleep.
Behold, the keeper of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you; the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will preserve you from all evil and will keep your life.
The Lord will watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth forevermore. Amen.
THE PRAYERS… We pray that THE WAY OF THE CROSS will continue to impact our lives and transform the world!
+ 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 be led into the adventure of a deeper faith that trusts God enough to respond
with changed living and giving habits? 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: “Now Behold the Lamb” Brown #128
“I Can Hear My Savior Calling” Brown #146
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.