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March 8, 2026
See TodayThird Sunday in Lent
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
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Ex. 8:16–24 or Jer. 26:1–15 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Ex. 8:16–24
16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. 19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
20 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21 Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. 22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 23 And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be. 24 And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.
Jer. 26:1–15
1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying, 2 Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word: 3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. 4 And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, 5 To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; 6 Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth. 7 So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.
8 Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die. 9 Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
10 When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king’s house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD’S house. 11 Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.
12 Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. 13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. 14 As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. 15 But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 136:1–16 or Psalm 4 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Psalm 136:1–16
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 4
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
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- Epistle
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Eph. 5:1–9 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
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- Gospel
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Luke 11:14–28 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
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Third Sunday in Lent
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
Jesus Overcomes the Strong Man
Jeremiah was charged with speaking evil when he spoke the Word of the Lord (Jer. 26:1–15). So also, Jesus is accused of doing evil when in fact He is doing good. He casts out a demon from a mute man so that he is able to speak (Luke 11:14–28). But some said Jesus did this by the power of Beelzebub, Satan. Like Pharaoh of old, their hearts were hard (Ex. 8:16–24). They did not recognize the finger of God, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through Jesus. Jesus is the Stronger Man who overcomes the strong man. He takes the devil’s armor of sin and death and destroys it from the inside out by the holy cross. He exorcizes and frees us by water and the Word. We were once darkness, but now we are light in Christ the Lord (Eph. 5:1–9). As children of light, our tongues are loosed to give thanks to Him who saved us.
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — One-Year Lectionary (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Source: LCMS One-Year Series Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Collect
Historical Collect — Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi)
WE beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of Thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty to be our defence against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (Baltimore, 1893), Introits and Collects for the Church Year (opens in a new tab). Public-domain text (published 1893), transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of the Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for March 8, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Righteous and just Father, send Your Holy Spirit to abide in us, to enliven our faith, to cast out doubt and to soften our hearts to the Word of Your Son. Teach us repentance through the plagues and trials of this world, that at the Last Day we may be found in You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of the Church, preserve and bless Your Church on earth, and do not let us fall into the sin of pride and self-confidence. Grant boldness to Your ministers as they preach Your Word to all, especially to those in need of repentance. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, You call us to live in purity and holiness. Protect and guide Christian families to love and seek chastity and decency, learning to grow in virtue and all godly living. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
King of kings and Judge of the earth, establish our nation’s leaders and grant them wisdom for the good of those they govern, that Your Word and Church would not be persecuted in our land but protected and allowed to flourish by Your grace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, the strength of the weak, hear our prayers for all who are sick, anxious, lonely or oppressed in any way [especially _____________]. Overcome the devil and his demons, that he would not lead any into despair, and grant Your healing and cleansing power to rest upon their bodies and minds. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Blessed Lord, You join Your Word to the bread and wine and so invite us to eat and drink. Grant that we may hear and keep Your Word in faith, that we may worthily receive the true body and blood of our Savior and so be given Your eternal blessing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You seek not the death but the life of all. Hear our prayers for all who have no right knowledge of You or who have wandered from Your truth. Free them from all error and, for the glory of Your name, mercifully bring them into the fellowship of Your Holy Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to take up our flesh, that He might overcome the devil and defend us poor sinners against the adversary. We thank You for Your merciful aid and implore You to attend us with Your grace in every temptation. Preserve us from carnal security and, by Your Spirit, keep us in Your Word and fear, that we may be delivered from the enemy and obtain eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for March 8, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For hearts softened by the Word of God and by the plagues and trials of this world, that we would repent of our sins and be found faithful at the Last Day, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church on earth, that her Lord would preserve and bless her; that He would keep us, her members, from falling into the sin of pride and self-confidence; and that He would grant boldness to her ministers as they preach His Word to all, especially to those in need of repentance, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the members of every Christian family, that the Lord who calls us to live in purity and holiness would protect us and guide us; and that we would love and seek chastity and decency, learning to grow in virtue and godly living, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our nation’s leaders, that the King of kings and Judge of the earth would establish them and grant them wisdom for the good of those they govern; and for the Christian Church in our land, that God would keep her from persecution and graciously cause His Word to flourish, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who are sick, anxious, lonely or oppressed in any way, [especially _____________,] that God, who is the strength of the weak, would overcome the devil’s demonic attempts to lead them into despair, and grant His healing, cleansing power to rest upon their bodies and minds, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who commune, that the Lord, who joins His Word to the bread and wine and invites us to eat and drink, would grant us to hear and keep His Word in faith, and so worthily receive the true body and blood of our Savior to our eternal blessing, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who have no right knowledge of God or who have wandered from the truth, that our Lord, who seeks not the death but the life of all, would free them from all error and bring them into the fellowship of His Holy Church to the glory of His name, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Lord God, heavenly Father, You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to take up our flesh, that He might overcome the devil and defend us poor sinners against the adversary. We thank You for Your merciful aid and implore You to attend us with Your grace in every temptation. Preserve us from carnal security and, by Your Spirit, keep us in Your Word and fear, that we may be delivered from the enemy and obtain eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 659 Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Third Sunday in Lent (One-Year) and Proper 7 (Series A).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 167, 168 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 533 Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure
- Distribution LSB 620 Jesus Comes Today with Healing
- Distribution LSB 731 O God, Forsake Me Not
- Distribution LSB 616 Baptismal Waters Cover Me
- Closing LSB 421 Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — One-Year Lectionary Series 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.