Live in the rhythm of the Church Year.
Explore the readings, prayers, hymns and seasons that form Christian life week by week.
March 15, 2026
See TodayLent 5
· Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
-
Ezek. 37:1–14 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Psalm
-
Psalm 130 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
-
Rom. 8:1–11 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
-
John 11:1–45 (46–53) or John 11:17–27, 38–53 (read in NIV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Lent 5
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Jesus Christ Is the Resurrection and the Life
The illness and death of Lazarus happened “that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4). Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus prompted His arrest and crucifixion, whereby He would die “for the nation” and gather “into one the children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:51–52). As He called Lazarus from the tomb and commanded others to “unbind him, and let him go” (John 11:44), Jesus also calls us and releases us from the bondage of sin and death. We would not “submit to God’s law,” nor could we “please God” (Rom. 8:7–8), but “he condemned sin” in His own flesh so “that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us” (Rom. 8:3–4). Now through the Gospel, “the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells” in us (Rom. 8:11). His Word breathes His Spirit into our mortal flesh, animating us with His own life. As His ministers preach according to His divine command, the Lord Jesus calls us from the grave into the good land that He gives us (Ezek. 37:12, 14).
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 NIV 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 22, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Heavenly Father, in Baptism You have given the new birth of water and the Spirit. Make Your children strong in Your Spirit, that they may shun the works of the flesh and live in this world expecting the resurrection and the life of the world to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, bless Matthew, our Synod president; _____________, our district president; _____________, our circuit visitor; and _____________, our pastor(s) whom You have sent to prophesy Your Word to us, that Your Spirit’s breath would enter us and we may live forever. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, soften the hearts of Your people in every home. Turn parents and children toward each other in love and patience. Banish the spirit of impudence, stubbornness and rebellion from all. Sanctify us in Your truth. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of hosts, You are the true source of life, which You give through the power of Your Spirit. Humble those who are given authority over the lives of our people, that they would discharge this duty honorably in accord with Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O great Redeemer, we hope in You, for with You there is steadfast love and redemption. We cry to You on behalf of those suffering affliction [including _____________]. Assure them that their iniquities have been washed away in Christ and their sins forgiven in His blood. Grant them healing and relief from their burdens, according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty God, You have shown us Your great mercy through the death of Your Son. May all who partake of His Supper come with repentant and humble hearts to taste the body and blood of Christ, which was given and shed for our life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, Your Son is the resurrection and the life, in whom all the dead will rise and through whom Your elect will live eternally in Your presence. Give comfort to all who mourn, that they might not grieve as those who have no hope but as those whose hope is the crucified and risen One. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, God almighty, through Your Son You have kept the promise of the ages and rescued us from sin. You have raised up the dry bones of a people captive to death and made us alive in Christ forever. Sustain us in this hope, that we may endure the tests, trials and troubles of this life and be ready when our Savior comes again in His glory; through 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 — 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 22, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all the baptized, that they would live according to the Spirit they have received, shunning the works of the flesh and living in the hope of the resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For Matthew, our Synod president; _____________, our district president; _____________, our circuit visitor; and _____________, our pastor(s) whom the Lord has sent to prophesy His Word to us, that His Spirit’s breath would enter us and we may live forever, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the home, that God would soften obdurate hearts, turning parents and children toward each other in love and patience; and that He would banish the spirit of impudence, stubbornness and rebellion from all, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those in authority over the lives of our people, that they would exercise this God-given duty humbly and in accord with His will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those suffering affliction, [including _____________,] that God would strengthen their hope, show them His steadfast love, redeem them from all their iniquities, and grant healing and relief according to His will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they may come with repentant hearts to taste the body and blood of Christ, given and shed for our life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who mourn, that they might not grieve as those who have no hope but as those whose hope is the crucified and risen One, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord, God almighty, through Your Son You have kept the promise of the ages and rescued us from sin. You have raised up the dry bones of a people captive to death and made us alive in Christ forever. Sustain us in this hope, that we may endure the tests, trials and troubles of this life and be ready when our Savior comes again in His glory; through 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 — 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
LSB 430 My Song Is Love Unknown
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Fifth Sunday in Lent (One-Year) and Lent 5 (Series A, B and C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 167 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 755 In the Very Midst of Life
- Distribution LSB 486 If Christ Had Not Been Raised from Death
- Distribution LSB 724 If God Himself Be for Me
- Closing LSB 552 O Christ, Who Shared Our Mortal Life
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.