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March 8, 2026
See TodayLent 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Ex. 17:1–7 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 95:1–9 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Epistle
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Rom. 5:1–8 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Gospel
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John 4:5–26 (27–30, 39–42) (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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Lent 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
We Worship the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Spirit and Truth of His Gospel
Though the Lord had brought them out of Egypt, “all the congregation of the people of Israel” grumbled against Him because “there was no water for the people to drink” (Ex. 17:1). Despite their quarreling, the Lord graciously provided for them. He did not strike the people for their sins, but by the hand of Moses He struck the rock instead and brought forth water for the people. In the same way, living water flows from the pierced side of Christ at “about the sixth hour” (John 4:6; 19:14), when He is lifted up on the cross for the sins of the world. He is “the gift of God” (John 4:10), the well from which the Holy Spirit is poured out and becomes in His people “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). By this grace in which we stand, being at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, we “worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God” because “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:2, 5).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series A (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
- Gradual (seasonal)
- Hebrews 12:2 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (A) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
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.
Lord of hosts, Your ancient people worshiped You in Jerusalem, and in Christ You are now worshiped among all nations. Grant us faithful hearts to worship in spirit and truth, that many would come to know You in Your Word and Sacrament. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, You led Your ancient people by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Lead us through the wilderness of this world by the hand of faithful pastors, that we would be refreshed by the living water flowing from the stricken side of Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of all, You bestow Your riches on all who call upon You. Bless parents with all wisdom as they teach their children Your ways, that all in the household may confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, preserve our nation, and prosper the cause of justice in this land. Guide and grant Your wisdom to Donald, our president; the Congress of the United States; _____________, our governor; and all elected and appointed civil servants. Grant us peace among the nations, and watch over those who protect us in the armed forces of our land. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O great Physician of body and soul, by Your Word and Holy Spirit comfort all who are in sorrow or need, sickness or adversity [especially _____________]. Hold them all in Your almighty hands and bring them consolation. Heal them according to Your gracious will, and give us all grace to accept and bear our crosses with faith in You, that we would always be prepared to depart this life in faith and come to Your heavenly home. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful God, grant us safe haven at Your altar, that we who bear the weight of this world and its sorrows would always long for Your courts and the blessings You have prepared for those who sing Your praise. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty Lord, to You all hearts are open and all sins are known. Strengthen our hearts by Your grace, that we who daily sin much would make confession boldly and then joyfully receive Your precious word of absolution. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
These and whatever other things You would have us ask of You, O God, grant us for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your only Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 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 faithful hearts to worship in spirit and truth, that many would come to know Christ in His Word and Sacrament, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faithful pastors to lead us to the living water flowing from the stricken side of our Rock, Jesus Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For parents, that God would bless them with all wisdom as they teach their children His ways, bestowing His riches in His Word, that all may confess Jesus as Lord, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Lord to preserve our nation and prosper the cause of justice in this land; and for Donald, our president; the Congress of the United States; _____________, our governor; and all elected and appointed civil servants, that the Lord would grant us peace among the nations and watch over those who protect us in the armed forces, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the needy, sorrowful, sick and all those facing adversity, [especially _____________,] that God would hold them in His almighty hands and bring them consolation; that He would give us grace to accept and bear our crosses with faith in Christ; and that He would prepare us to depart this life in faith, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For safe haven at the altar of God, that we who bear the weight of this world and its sorrows would receive the blessings of those who sing His praise, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For strong hearts that boldly confess our sins, that we who daily sin much may joyfully receive God’s word of absolution, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
These and whatever other things You would have us ask of You, O God, grant us for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your only Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 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
Hymn of the Day — May God Bestow on Us His Grace (LSB 823 or 824)
Lutheran Service Book 823 or 824
May God Bestow on Us His Grace
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Sexagesima (One-Year) and Lent 3 (Series A, B and C). This record preserves the appointment identity only; it does not reproduce the Lutheran Service Book hymn text.
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 167, 171 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 770 What a Friend We Have in Jesus
- Distribution LSB 535 How Wide the Love of Christ
- Distribution LSB 648 Glorious Things of You Are Spoken
- Closing LSB 849 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series A 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.