Live in the rhythm of the Church Year.
Explore the readings, prayers, hymns and seasons that form Christian life week by week.
March 22, 2026
See TodayFifth Sunday in Lent
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
-
Gen. 22:1–14 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read Genesis 22:1-14 in ESV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Psalm
-
Psalm 43 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
Send Out Your Light and Your Truth
43:1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.(ESV)
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Epistle
-
Heb. 9:11–15 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read Hebrews 9:11-15 in ESV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
- Gospel
-
John 8:(42–45) 46–59 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read John 8:(42-45) 46-59 in ESV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Select NIV to load this Scripture text.
Select KJV to load this Scripture text.
Select NKJV to load this Scripture text.
Fifth Sunday in Lent
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
Jesus Is Our Redemption
In the temple Jesus said, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (John 8:51). For Jesus came to taste death for us—to drink the cup of suffering to the dregs in order that we might be released from its power. Clinging to His life-giving words, we are delivered from death’s sting and its eternal judgment. Christ is our High Priest, who entered the Most Holy Place and with His own blood obtained everlasting redemption for His people (Heb. 9:11–15). He is the One who was before Abraham was, and yet is his descendant. He is the promised Son who carries the wood up the mountain for the sacrifice, who is bound and laid upon the altar of the cross. He is the ram who is offered in our place, who is willingly caught in the thicket of our sin, and who wears the crown of thorns upon His head (Gen. 22:1–14). Though Jesus is dishonored by the sons of the devil, He is vindicated by the Father through the cross.
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 — Fifth Sunday in Lent (Judica)
WE beseech Thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people, that by Thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; 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 22, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by His death You have brought us to Your holy hill, and by His resurrection You have justified us in Your sight. Lead us by the light and truth of Your Holy Word, that we may ever be vindicated in Christ and win the victory over all enemies of the Gospel. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Remember the congregations of Your Church, O Lord, which You have purchased with the holy blood of Your Son. Strengthen and defend all pastors and church workers, giving them every good gift as they attend to Your people. Cause us rightly to fear Your anger and rejoice in Your redemption. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, heavenly Father, give wisdom and strength to all fathers in the home and Church. Make them faithful in teaching Your Word to the children entrusted to their care, that these little ones would come to know You as their heavenly Father and live as true children of God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God of power and might, You hold in Your hand all the might of man. Give us good government and faithful leaders who will heed Your Word and pursue righteousness and justice. Bless and defend us against all destruction, and teach us to be patient and faithful citizens of this land, using ourselves and our resources wisely for the good of all. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, because of our sins we are not worthy to pray to You, yet in Your mercy You receive our prayers through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. Hear our supplications for those in need [especially _____________]. Answer our petitions on account of the merits and mediation of Your Son, our Savior. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, You have freed Your Church from slavery to this world and gathered us around Your holy mountain. Hearing again the proclamation of Your new testament, cleanse us through Christ’s body and blood, which was offered for us on Calvary. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word, that we may not be deceived by that liar and murderer the devil, but know Your truth and so come to everlasting life; 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 — 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 22, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
To the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who by His death brought us to His holy hill and by His resurrection justified us in His sight; that He would lead us by the light and truth of His Holy Word to vindication in Christ in the face of all the enemies of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For this and all congregations, that the Lord would remember them, strengthen and defend His pastors and servants in the Church, and cause His people rightly to fear His wrath and rejoice in His redemption, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all fathers in the home and Church, that our heavenly Father would give them wisdom and fortitude; that He would make them faithful in teaching His Word to the children entrusted to their care; and that all little ones would come to know their heavenly Father and live as true children of God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For good government and faithful leaders, that they would heed God’s Word and pursue righteousness and justice; and for the Lord to bless and defend us against all destruction and teach us to be patient and faithful citizens of this land so that we would use ourselves and our resources wisely for the good of all, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those in need, [especially _____________,] that God would mercifully receive our prayers through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest; and that He would answer our petitions on account of the merits and mediation of His Son, our Savior, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our communicants, that, gathered into His new testament, they may be cleansed from sin through Christ’s body and blood and set free from slavery to this world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word, that we may not be deceived by that liar and murderer the devil, but know Your truth and so come to everlasting life; 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 — 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 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 655 Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
- Distribution LSB 430 My Song Is Love Unknown
- Distribution LSB 433 Glory Be to Jesus
- Distribution LSB 658 Preserve Your Word, O Savior
- Closing LSB 834 O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth
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.