Lessons, Hymns, and Prayers, March 8, 2026, A, 3rd Sunday in Lent
All: Exodus 17:1-7 (Israelites murmur against God, who gives water from the rock)
All: Psalm 95: (We are the people of God’s pasture; don’t be like those who murmured!)
All: Romans 5:1-8 (9-11) (Justified by faith in Christ, we have peace with God through
him, who died for the ungodly)
All: John 4:5-26 [may add 27-30, 39-42]) (Jesus and the woman at the well)
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Opening Hymn: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing: LBW #499, ELW #807, LSB #686
OR Christ, the Word of God Incarnate: LSB #540, v. 1-3 Fairly familiar Early American tune. Just wonderful words. Verse 2 especially goes with the Gospel reading)
OR “Come, Let Us Sing Unto the Lord” (paraphrase of Psalm 95)
Words by Rev. Cathy Ammlung, STS; Tune: Kirken (Built on a Rock, the Church Shall Stand)
- Come, let us sing unto the Lord, Our mighty Rock of salvation.
Come, with our psalms of thanks outpoured To the great King of all nations.
Come, make a joyful noise of praise; Come, worship God through all our days;
Come in his presence, adoring.
- Within the hollow of his hand, Caverns and hills find their dwelling.
Measureless seas and trackless land Their Maker’s glories are telling.
Come; worship; bend the knee and bless Our God, Our Shepherd. We confess
His hand’s our pasture forever.
Lenten Hymn, if desired: see Ash Wednesday
Hymn of the Day: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say: LBW #497, ELW 332, 611; LSB #699
(Note: the 2nd ELW tune is “Kingsfold,” a nice English folk tune. You’ll find it used in LBW #391)
OR As the Deer Runs to the River: ELW #331
OR O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts: LBW #356
OR Lent 3 stanza, Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery: ELW #334, v. 1-3
Communion Hymn 1: How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds: LBW #345, ELW #620, LSB #524
OR Eat This Bread: WOV #709, ELW #472 (Just repeat first set of words 3x)
Communion Hymn 2: Come With Us, O Blessed Jesus: LBW #219, ELW #501
Closing Hymn: Glories of Your Name are Spoken:
LBW #358, ELW #648 (BEWARE! Uses different tune, even though “Austria” is used elsewhere!)
Glorious Things of You are Spoken: LSB #648
OR Christ, the Word of God Incarnate: LSB #540, v. 4-6
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Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer, that he would be merciful to his people.
A brief silence
Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, your living water. Sometimes we don’t realize how thirsty we are. Sometimes what we drink makes us even thirstier. Thank you that Jesus quenches our thirst for your goodness, love, forgiveness, and life, by filling us with Himself.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make your Church a place where your living water flows. Use it to quench the thirst, heal the hearts, and cleanse the souls of people dying for lack of your love. May it always share your holy Word so that many may hear, and come to believe, that your Son is the Savior of the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray on behalf of our persecuted sisters and brothers. Fulfill in them the Apostle’s words: that suffering produces endurance; endurance produces character; character produces hope; and hope does not put them to shame, because God’s love has been poured into their hearts through the Holy Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Jesus said the fields are ripe for the harvest. Therefore we pray: Call, equip, and send new pastors and evangelists to preach the Good News. Make each of us disciples “on a mission with you” to eagerly share the Living Water with thirsty souls in our communities.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Have mercy on this congregation. Make us people eager to worship you in spirit and in truth; to care for one another with gentle hearts; and to share the living water of your Son with everyone we know.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you for everyone who makes clean water available throughout the world. Grant that all who benefit from the pure and refreshing waters of this life may also be drawn to the Living Water of eternal life, Jesus Christ your Son.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Have mercy on our nation, its leaders, and its people. Although we are all sinful and rebellious, save us, we pray, from our folly. Give us hearts that delight in your law, and wills set to obey it. Remove from us the spirit of discord and strife, and crown us with the blessing of your peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Refresh and heal with your Living Water everyone burdened with suffering and sorrow, including: { List}. Give them renewed strength, deep peace, strong hope, and abiding faith in your compassion.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father, with reverence and affection, we entrust our beloved dead into your care. Wipe away the tears all who mourn. Refresh us with your Word and Sacraments as we pass through death’s valleys. Help us to encourage one another; to rejoice even though suffering; to cultivate good character; to live in hope; and to lean on your promises. Speed the day when, in Spirit and in truth, the whole company of the redeemed will worship you, and acclaim your Son as the Savior of the world, our Lord and our God.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, gracious Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
