Third Sunday in Lent 2023
March 12, 2023 – St. John American Lutheran Church + ELCA + Sioux Falls SD
In today’s gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers living water, a sign of God’s grace flowing from the waters of baptism. The early church used this gospel and those of the next two Sundays to deepen baptismal reflection during the final days of preparation before baptism at Easter. As we journey to the resurrection feast, Christ comes among us in word, bath, and meal offering us the life-giving water of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
GATHERING MUSIC
Carson Covey (Saturday)
Jane Kurth (Sunday)
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRAYER CONCERNS CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
L In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
L Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C Amen.
L If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection and prayer.
L Most merciful God,
C we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
L Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE No. 770 (Red Hymnal)
Give Me Jesus
GREETING AND PRAYER OF THE DAY
L The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C And also with you.
L Merciful God
C the fountain of living water, you quench our thirst and wash away our sin. Give us this water always. Bring us to drink from the well that flows with the beauty of your truth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURES
Exodus 17:1-7 (Holy Bible p. 56)
Psalm 95 (Holy Bible p. 479)
Romans 5:1-11 (Holy Bible p.917)
HYMN OF THE WORD No. 767 (Red Hymnal)
Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me
The congregation stands for the reading of the Gospel.
GOSPEL John 4:5-42 (p.864-865)
SERMON Pastor Lon Kvanli
HYMN OF THE DAY No. 333 (Red Hymnal)
Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land
PROFESSION OF FAITH: NICENE CREED
C We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand
of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
After each petition, the leader says, “Lord, in your mercy.” Congregational response is, “Hear our prayer!”
OFFERING & OFFERTORY Jane Kurth
OFFERTORY PRAYER
L God of good gifts,
C receive these and all our offerings as we present them in faithful service for the sake of your gospel. Prepare our hearts to receive you in this meal as you pour out your very presence through Christ Jesus, the wellspring of eternal life. Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
L The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them to the Lord.
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C It is right to give our thanks and praise.
L It is indeed right, … we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. (Red, pp. 152-153)
WORDS OF INSTITUTION & LORD’S PRAYER
L In the night in which he was betrayed…
C 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.
HYMNS DURING DISTRIBUTION
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER
#732 (Blue), #606, #619
L The God who faithfully brings forth justice and breaks the oppressor’s rod bless, strengthen, and uphold you, today and always.
C Amen.
L Embodied God,
C at your table, we have tasted the goodness of Jesus. With the eyes of our hearts open to your promise, empower us to hear the needs of our neighbors and touch the world with your love. Amen.
BENEDICTION
RECESSIONAL HYMN
No. 325 (Red Hymnal)
I Want Jesus to Walk With Me
SILENT PRAYER & EXTINGUISHING OF ALTAR CANDLES
DISMISSAL
L Go in peace. Serve in love.
C Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Carson Covey (Saturday)
Jane Kurth (Sunday)
Portions of the liturgy are reprinted from EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 2006, by permission of Augsburg Fortress Press.