| March 8, 2026
9:00am 3rd Sunday in Lent Whether this is your first time with us or your one thousand and first, we are glad that the Spirit has drawn you here today! Visitors are invited to sign the Guest Book near the front doors of the church and take home a welcome brochure to learn more about us. |
Jesus and the Samaritan woman based on John 4 Painting by JESUS MAFA from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN |
|
GATHERING |
|
PRELUDE Lenten Litany Andrew Moore
Jesu, meines Lebens Leben Flor Peeters
Yeon Soh, organ
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
We are welcomed here in the name of God, who created us,
Jesus, who was born to be with us, and the Spirit who guides us still. Amen.
Jesus began his ministry to the world, led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
As we travel our Lenten journey,
may God’s spirit lead us, even into the uncomfortable places.
In those forty days, and in that place,
Jesus was faced with hunger, doubt, and temptation.
As we seek to follow Jesus,
may God’s spirit lead us, even into the uncomfortable choices.
Jesus left the wilderness, faithful and obedient to God, rejoicing in the One in whom he trusted.
As we continue on our path of faith,
may God’s spirit lead us, rejoicing in God’s love.
GATHERING HYMN Come to Me, All Pilgrims Thirsty ELW 777
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. Awesome God, cultivate a deep sense of wonder in our hearts. When we have questions, give us even greater curiosity. When we feel ashamed to ask, give us courage. When we come before something too beautiful or too complex to understand, kindle in us a song of praise. May all of our wondering and wandering draw us deeper into relationship with you. Amen.
|
WORD God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song |
FIRST READING Exodus 17:1-7
Because the thirsty Israelites quarreled with Moses and put God to the test, Moses cried out in desperation to God. God commanded Moses to strike the rock to provide water for the people. The doubt-filled question—“Is the Lord among us or not?”—received a very positive answer.
A reading from Exodus.
1 From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 The people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do for this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile and go.
6 I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Jess
After the children’s message, children ages 3-6th grade are invited to go upstairs for Sunday School classes.
Visitors are welcome to join!
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL John 4:5-30, 39-42
Jesus defies convention to engage a Samaritan woman in conversation. Her testimony, in turn, leads many others to faith.
The Holy Gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
5 Jesus came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.
7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.”
27 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” 28 Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” 30 They left the city and were on their way to him.
39 Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Jess
HYMN OF THE DAY Come to the Water of Life ACS 955
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Reconciled by God’s mercy and sustained by God’s presence, let us pray for the world and its needs.
A brief silence.
O God, when suffering arises, preserve your church. Give to pastors, deacons, bishops, and all servants of your gospel the endurance that produces character and the hope that will never disappoint. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
When the waters run dry, sustain this earth. Send water to places languishing with drought, and bring relief to places damaged by floods. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
When quarrels ensue, soften our hearts. Quell hostilities between nations and peoples, especially between Iran, Israel, and the United States. Protect the innocent bystanders caught in the midst of war. Help us to be peacemakers and justice seekers within your world.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
When your people thirst, satisfy their needs. Send water and food to all who need nourishment. Grant welcome to all who are excluded. Show your mercy to any in need especially Patty, Warren, Bert, Bill, Christine, Doug, Shana, Mary, Lloyd & Sue, all those affected by addiction or mental illness, and all military personnel and first responders. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
When we gather to worship, send us your Spirit. Renew our hearts through the joyful noise we make and bless the work of our church musicians and musical ensembles. Send the right person to our congregation that can lead our music forward as our new choir director.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
When we celebrate the gift of human love, let it be a reminder of your love. Today through our altar flowers, we celebrate the love shared between Bill and Bobbie Hendrick on their 63rd wedding anniversary. Continue to bless their love and their relationship.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
O God, when death draws near, we rejoice in the promise of life with you. We remember all who have entered eternal rest, and we pray that you bring us the hope of sharing in your glory.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Receive our prayers, O God, through Jesus Christ, our strength and salvation.
Amen.
INVITATION TO CONFESSION
As a worship practice for Lent, we are using a different model for confession and forgiveness based on the book Standing Naked Before God: The Art of Public Confession by Rev. Molly Phinney Baskette. This model includes an individual from the congregation sharing a story of confession, a prayer we speak in unison, a minute of silent confession, and an assurance of grace. Today we hear from Kelsey Chin.
UNISON PRAYER
Let us pray.
Jesus, we are filled with hopes and dreams of how our lives will unfold.
But too often, those hopes fall flat and those dreams turn into pain.
We go from moments of joy to the deep pits of despair.
In our grief, we react with anger and anguish.
In our darkness, we fail to see the light of your love.
Grief often turns into spirals of shame and loneliness.
Just when we need you most, we feel cut off from your presence.
Forgive us God.
Remind us that nothing, not even death itself, can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus.
Give us a trust in you that will never go away.
Fill us with a light that will never be extinguished.
SILENT CONFESSION
During this moment, consider how the story you have heard leads you to see ways you are separated from God. In the silence, bring those ways before God and pray for God to transform them.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
OFFERING INVITATION (Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card using the QR code on the back of the bulletin)
ANTHEM Be Thou My Vision arr. Mary Pooler Chancel Choir
PRESENTATION
OF GIFTS Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. God who provides, we return to you a portion of all that you have given us. Bless and use these gifts, our hands, our hearts, our ministry, to care for the world you love. Prepare us to receive you at this table and again in the world beyond our doors. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
|
MEAL |
DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. The whole universe is filled with your wonders, and on this very day you overcome the powers of death and destruction forever. And so, in thankfulness, we join the song of the angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven:
SANCTUS
GREAT THANKSGIVING
Creator, you made a wondrous world and called it good.
You planted a garden, and in it, you crafted your creatures, and our ancestors.
When sin, pain, and death entered the world, you did not leave us
but remained a lover and friend of humanity.
You brought water from a rock when your people wandered in the wilderness.
You saw the possibilities in the least and lowly,
and you knew that life could come even from dry old bones.
When at last the time was right, you were born to be with us in Jesus
and joined us in the highs and lows of human existence, even to the point of death.
We tell the story of your presence, recalling how, in the night when he was betrayed,
Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
And so we remind each other and the world:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Pour out your Spirit on us, your gathered people, and on this meal, your gifts of bread and cup.
Through a holy mystery, let this become for us the body and blood of Christ.
Let it remind us of the unending feast for which we are bound.
Let it strengthen us, that we will become the body of Christ for the world you so love.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in the words or language of our choice.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth
as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The table is set, and God meets us here, embracing all that we are. Come and see.
COMMUNION
At this table, Christ is both host and meal, and offers himself to all who hunger and thirst for his presence.
We believe that he is truly present in this sacrament.
Come to the front, where bread is placed in your hand (you can request a gluten-free wafer), and where you receive wine by taking a cup from the tray (the cups in the center contain white grape juice).
If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.
If you need to receive communion in your seat, simply notify an usher.
No one is too young to receive this sacrament, though some families wish to give their children some instruction before they take their first communion. If a young child accompanies you, please indicate to the pastor whether they should receive bread or a blessing.
AGNUS DEI
COMMUNION
HYMNS Spirit, Open My Heart ACS 1043
O Blessed Spring ELW 447
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray. God, you have revealed yourself to us again in the holy mystery of bread and cup. Strengthen us by your presence, draw us closer to one another as the Body of Christ,
and send us to reveal you in all our words and ways. Amen.
|
SENDING |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine upon you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace. Amen.
SENDING HYMN Baptized and Set Free ELW 453
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Embrace wonder!
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ,
daß du für uns gestorben bist BWV 623 J.S.Bach
Yeon Soh, organ
Thank you to those who helped with worship today…
Worship Assistant Josh Pajak
Lector Paula Limberg
Communion Presenters Carie Corbett and Ellen Cloutier
Ushers Jim Scanlon and Gail Walker
Altar Care Elaine Martin and Stephanie Leclair
Livestream Operator Rahul Meriga
UPCOMING COMMEMORATIONS
Harriet Tubman, died 1913; Sojourner Truth, died 1883; renewers of society
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Harriet Tubman, born into slavery, helped about 300 others to escape slavery until the institution was abolished. Sojourner Truth, whose birth name was Isabella, was freed after slavery was abolished, and discerned a call to be a preacher. Taking the name Sojourner Truth, she set out on an evangelistic journey, where people found her testimony to be deeply moving.
Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, died 604
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Born into wealth and power, Gregory was for a time the chief administrator of the city of Rome. Giving this up for a life in the church, he was elected pope in 590. He influenced public worship through the establishment of a lectionary and prayers to correlate with the readings. Gregorian chant is named in his honor.
 |
|
| From sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2025 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS007028. New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Call to Worship adapted from Thom Shuman’s “Lectionary Liturgies” website: http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/ Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. 8 March Hymn based.docx |
|
| Your financial gifts help us to grow, nurture, and make disciples in Christ! Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card |
 |