Lectionary Readings
Exodus 20:1–17
On Mount Sinai, God gives the Ten Commandments to Moses.
Psalm 19
The law of the Lord is perfect; God’s commandments are clear.
1 Corinthians 1:18–25
The message of the cross reveals God’s wisdom and strength.
John 2:13–22
Before Passover, Jesus chases the money-changers out of the temple.
— Gathering —
Call to Worship
The way of God is humility, not power.
Lord, have mercy on us.
The way of Christ is service, not transaction.
Lord, have mercy on us.
The way of the Spirit is wisdom, not foolishness.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Prayer of the Day
You have revealed to us
the sacrifices of the Lenten journey as we go.
Here in the middle,
as we sojourn,
we look back at how far we have come
and forward towards what is to come.
Beloved God, you call us to stop and to be,
finding joy where we are.
You show us the beauty of the sky above,
the firmness of the earth below.
We breathe in the air of a new day,
remember the rain along the way,
and cling to the dreams of our nights.
We stop and give thanks because we are alive
and you are our God! Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the mercy you so freely offer us
through the grace of our baptism—
safe passage through the sea,
justice rolling down like water,
deliverance from sin and death forever.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
teach us to love and serve you faithfully
and reconcile us to you and to one another
as members of one, living body;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
In the name of Christ, I urge you:
Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
O Christ who chased the money changers from the temple,
chase the greed from our lives and our hearts.
As you overturned the tables, O Lord,
overturn the systems in our world
that contribute to cycles of poverty and oppression.
Forgive us, O God, of the ways we contribute to the world’s brokenness.
Forgive us, O God, and wash us in your mercy.
Forgive us, O God, and free us to try again.
Lifting water from the font:
Listen, the time has come at last.
Look, now is the day of salvation!
2 Corinthians 6:2
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, our way in the wilderness,
guide us by your Word through these forty days,
and minister to us with your Holy Spirit,
so that we may reformed,
restored, and renewed;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psalm 51:15
After the readings:
We proclaim Christ crucified—
the wisdom and power of God.
Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 1:23–25
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
we bend our knees
and lift up our hearts,
giving glory to God forever. Amen.
Philippians 2:9–11
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Season of Lent
The reconciling work of Jesus
was the supreme crisis in the life of humankind.
His cross and resurrection become personal crisis
and present hope for women and men
when the gospel is proclaimed and believed.
In this experience,
the Spirit brings God’s forgiveness to all,
moves people to respond in faith,
repentance, and obedience,
and initiates the new life in Christ.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.21
Prayers of Intercession
God of Sinai and Calvary,
your wisdom and power are made perfect
in the foolishness of the cross.
Hear these, the prayers of your people.
We pray for who have undertaken Lenten disciplines . . .
Draw them nearer to the mystery of the cross.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who seek justice . . .
Let the cries of your prophets be heard.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for immigrants and refugees . . .
Grant them safety for your love’s sake.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the right use of the earth’s resources . . .
Let the welfare of future generations
guide our actions today.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the president, Congress,
and all in authority . . .
Show them the strength of empathy
and the right use of power.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the sick, the lonely,
and those who feel broken . . .
Use us to share their burden and lighten their load.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for ourselves . . .
Help us to trust your promises, which never fail.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of Sinai and Calvary,
from the highest mountain and the lowest valley
your people sing your praise.
To you be honor and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
Jesus says: Where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
Matthew 6:21
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
You have shown us, O God,
the sacrifice that you desire.
Now use these gifts—
and use our lives—
to liberate the oppressed,
to break the bonds of injustice,
to feed the hungry,
welcome the poor,
and unite the human family;
all in the name and for the sake
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Isaiah 58:6–7
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
At Sinai, you gave us the gift of your law
calling us to worship you—and you alone—
and teaching us to live together as you intended.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Christ turned the tables on injustice and corruption;
he came to restore and renew the temple of your presence
by offering us a place in the temple of his risen body
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Confound the foolishness of our wisdom
by the saving power of the cross of Jesus Christ;
strengthen us to proclaim this good news to all the world.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
Holy God, we give you thanks
that you have claimed us as your own
and nourished us in this meal
as members of Christ’s body.
By the work of your Spirit within us
give us the grace to glorify you
as one, living body in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
1 Corinthians 6:15–20
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the steadfast love of God,
the abundant grace of Jesus Christ,
and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit
be with you this day and always. Amen.
Psalm 51:1, 11
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus:
If any wish to be my disciples
let them take up the cross
and follow me. Amen.
Mark 8:34
Cleansing the Temple
Pieter Aertsen, 16th century
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- I Danced in the Morning (LORD OF THE DANCE) GTG 157 (G)
- Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (WESTMINSTER ABBEY) GTG 394 (EG)
- Let Us Build a House (TWO OAKS) GTG 301 (E)
- I Sing the Mighty Power of God (ELLACOMBE) GTG 32 (O)
WORD
- In the Cross of Christ I Glory (RATHBUN) GTG 213 (E)
- Lord, Who May Dwell within Your House (RIDGEMOOR) GTG 419 (O)
- O Day of Rest and Gladness (ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN) GTG 393 (O)
- Porqué Él entró en el mundo (TENEMOS ESPERANZA) HP 397 (G)
EUCHARIST
- Bread of the World in Mercy Broken (RENDEZ À DIEU) GTG 499 (E)
- Live in Charity (UBI CARITAS (Taizé)) GTG 205 (OEG)
- Come to the Table of Grace (TABLE OF GRACE) GTG 507 (G)
SENDING
- I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord (ST. THOMAS) GTG 310 (G)
- O for a Closer Walk with God (CAITHNESS) GTG 739 (O)
- In Christ There Is No East or West (MCKEE/ST. PETER) GTG 317/318 (E)
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 19
Metrical
- Nature Shines with Beauty [6.8.6.8.] GWA 161
- The Heavens Above Declare God’s Praise [CAITHNESS] PH 166
Responsorial
- The Law of God Is Just, Reviving the Soul UMH 750
- Lord, You Have the Words PP 32
Organ Music
- “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens,” HOLY MANNA, God with Us: Eleven Pieces for Organ, arr. Emma Lou Diemer, SAC (ME)
- “In the Cross of Christ I Glory,” RATHBUN, A Suite of Passion Hymn Settings, arr. Wilbur Held, CON (ME)
- Andante from Sonata No. 6, Organ Sonatas, op. 65, Felix Mendelssohn, IMSLP (M)
- “No. 10, Grosser Gott, wir loben dich,” 30 Kleine Choralvorspiele, op. 135a, Max Reger, IMSLP (MA)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Order My Steps,” Glenn Burleigh, HOPE, SATB, pno (E)
- “Teach Me, O Lord,” Phillip Stopford, MSM, SATB, org (E)
- “The Heavens Are Telling,” from The Creation, Franz Joseph Haydn, CPDL, SATB, solos, org (A)
- “Psalm 19,” James Chepponis, MSM, SATB, fl, ob, brass, perc (M)
- “Inspired by Love and Anger,” in Love & Anger Collection, John Bell, GIA, pno (E)
- “Be Thou My Vision,” John Rutter, OUP, SATB, pno (M)
Art
- Cleansing of the Temple, Pieter Aertsen, 16th century (VDL)
- The Two Commandments, Jan Richardson (JR)
- Untitled (Skate), Barbara Kreuger (hyperallergic.com/barbara-kruger-les-coleman-skateparkperforma/)


