Three-Year Lectionary
Study the appointed readings, prayers and resources for Series A, Series B and Series C through the Church Year.
February 28, 2027
See TodayLent 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
- First Reading
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Ex. 20:1–17 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 19 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
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- Epistle
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1 Cor. 1:18–31 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
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- Gospel
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John 2:13–22 (23–25) (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. 17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
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Lent 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series B
About this service
The Crucified and Risen Body of Jesus Is the True Temple of the Lord
The Lord rescues His people, Israel, “out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Ex. 20:2) and makes His gracious covenant with them, defined by the Ten Commandments. Since He has become their God by His grace, they shall be His people, having “no other gods” before Him (Ex. 20:3). He is “jealous” for them as a husband for his wife and as a father for his children. He has named them with His name and called them to rest in Him (Ex. 20:5–9). The incarnate Son, Christ Jesus, is likewise jealous for His Father’s house, because it is to be a place of divine grace and Sabbath rest for His people, and not “a house of trade” (John 2:16–17). His zeal consumes Him as He gives up “the temple of his body” to the destruction of the cross, but in three days He raises it up again to be the true temple forever (John 2:17–21). By His crucifixion He cleanses the entire household, and in His resurrection He becomes “wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series B (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 KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (B) 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 3, 2024 — Responsive Form
O Lord, You are a jealous God. Save the third and fourth generations that will come after us from Your punishment. Fill us with Your Son’s zeal for Your house, that we may cast every idol from our hearts and be devoted to You and Your commandments. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, Your Son’s cross and crucifixion is folly to the world, but it is the source of repentance and forgiveness for all His elect. Preserve the preaching of the cross in our midst, that from this life-giving tree we would continually receive Your faith-preserving gifts. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, preserve and bless all Christian households, that husbands and wives would live in love and service to each other, that fathers and mothers would diligently bring up their children in Your fear, and that children would honor their parents and be well equipped for service to their neighbors in this life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord of the perfect Law, You have called us to honor our parents and all other authorities, that it may go well with us in our land. Bless _____________ and all who govern us. Make them wise in Your ways, that Your justice may be upheld among us. Help us to serve and obey them in accord with Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, Your steadfast love in Christ is good. Turn in Your abundant mercy toward all who suffer in our midst [especially _____________]. Do not let the flood sweep over them nor the pit close its mouth on them. Deliver them and grant them healing, comfort and peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer, though we cannot even discern all our errors, declare us innocent in Christ of all hidden faults, and by Your Holy Spirit keep us back from presumptuous sins. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, You bless this day and make it holy with Your Word and the gifts of Your altar. Grant that we may come before Your presence to eat Your Son’s body and blood, not boasting of ourselves, but of Christ alone. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer, three days after the temple of Your Son’s body was destroyed by wicked men He raised it up again. Grant that on the Last Day we and all the saints who now rest in Your presence may share in the glory of His resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series B 2023–2024 (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 3, 2024 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That our jealous God would save the third and fourth generations who will come after us from His punishment, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For zeal this Lent, that following Christ we may cast every idol from our hearts and be devoted to Him alone, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the continued proclamation of the cross’s power, that from this life-giving tree we would receive the gifts that preserve faith, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That our heavenly Father would preserve and bless all Christian households; that husbands and wives would live in love and service to each other; that fathers and mothers would diligently bring up their children in the fear of the Lord; and that children would honor their parents and be well equipped for service to their neighbors in this life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the Lord of the perfect Law would bless [_____________ and] all who govern us; that He would make them wise in His ways and uphold justice; and that He would help us serve and obey them in accord with His will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For [_____________ and] all who suffer in our midst, that the flood may not sweep over them nor the pit close its mouth on them; and that God would deliver them in His steadfast love, granting them healing, comfort and peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That our Redeemer would declare us innocent in Christ of all hidden faults and keep us back from presumptuous sins, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who come before the Lord’s presence to eat Christ’s body and blood on this holy day, that we would boast not of ourselves but of Christ alone, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That our God, whose true temple was destroyed by wicked men yet raised up again after three days, would grant us and all the saints to share in the glory of His Son’s resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, 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 B 2023–2024 (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 579 The Law of God Is Good and Wise
- Distribution LSB 624 The Infant Priest Was Holy Born
- Distribution LSB 429 We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died
- Distribution LSB 425/6 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- Closing LSB 645 Built on the Rock
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series B 2023–24 (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.