Lectionary Readings
Numbers 21:4–9
God instructs Moses to use a bronze serpent to save the people.
Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22
Give thanks to the Lord, who forgives, heals, and delivers us.
Ephesians 2:1–10
By the gift of God’s grace we are saved through faith.
John 3:14–21
Like Moses’ serpent, Jesus will be lifted up as a sign of salvation.
— Gathering —
Call to Worship
We grow impatient when we lack what we need.
Lord, have mercy on us.
God’s grace has saved us and sustained us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
God has not deserted us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Prayer of the Day
Guided by your revelation,
we are compelled to seek your wisdom
as we continue the Lenten journey.
We are filled with awesome wonder
that you would love us so, trust us so,
and move within us.
Now fill our spirits with hope, humility, and resolve,
that we might be your will in the world.
Open our hearts to accept this call upon our lives.
May our sacred service be pleasing in your sight. 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.
By the gift of your grace we are saved, O God,
from all that separates us from you.
Still, we would rather believe that we can earn your love.
Still, we would rather believe that we are in ultimate control.
Forgive us when we do not recognize the radical gift of your grace;
have mercy when we fail or refuse to share that grace with another.
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
To be reconciled to God
is to be sent into the world
as God’s reconciling community.
This community, the church universal,
is entrusted with God’s message of reconciliation
and shares God’s labor of healing the enmities
which separate people from God
and from each other.
Christ has called the church to this mission
and given it the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The church maintains continuity
with the apostles and with Israel
by faithful obedience to his call.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.31
Prayers of Intercession
God of steadfast love,
you bring salvation in Jesus Christ.
May our prayers reflect his light.
We pray for those who love darkness
rather than light . . .
Turn them around and bring them
into the brightness of your love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who regret
what they have done wrong . . .
Show them the immeasurable riches of your grace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who live in fear . . .
Shield them under your wings.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for world leaders and all in authority . . .
Show them the right use of the power
that comes from you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for your church assembled here
and spread throughout the world . . .
Bring humility where pride intrudes
and trust where faith falters.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who suffer
from illness, pain, or distress . . .
Heal them for your mercy’s sake
and grant them wholeness in you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of steadfast love,
your love for the world shines in Jesus Christ.
Keep us ever in your light
and sustain us by your grace;
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:
When we gave up hope in the wilderness
succumbing to the poison of bitterness and despair,
you kept us alive, and set us back on the path to the promised land.
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:
Out of your great love for the world you made,
you sent Jesus Christ—not to condemn, but to save us—
so that those who trust in him might not perish, but have eternal life.
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.
Show us the way of life you have prepared for us in Christ,
so that we might believe and live in him,
sharing in the immeasurable riches of your grace.
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
Processional Cross
Ethiopian, 15th Century
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (CWM RHONDDA) GTG 65 (O)
- There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (IN BABILONE) GTG 435 (E)
- I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art (TOULON) GTG 624 (E)
- Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy (RESTORATION) GTG 415 (OEG)
WORD
- Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound (AMAZING GRACE) GTG 649 (E)
- My Song Is Love Unknown (LOVE UNKNOWN) GTG 209 (G)
- O Come unto the Lord (KOREA) GTG 416 (O)
EUCHARIST
- Bread of Heaven, on Thee We Feed (ARFON) GTG 496 (O)
- Goodness Is Stronger than Evil (GOODNESS IS STRONGER) GTG 750 (OEG)
- All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly (HOLY MANNA) GTG 509 (OEG)
SENDING
- I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (I’M GONNA LIVE) GTG 700 (E)
- O God, We Bear the Imprint (TODOS LOS COLORES) GTG 759 (E)
- What Wondrous Love Is This (WONDROUS LOVE) GTG 215 (G)
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22
Metrical
- Certainly, Lord [CERTAINLY] OLOF 188
- Give Thanks to God Who Hears Our Cries [MORNING SONG] GTG 653
Responsorial
- Give Thanks to the Lord for Steadfast Love UMH 830
- Thanks Be to God PP 202
Organ Music
- VI. Andante con moto, Six Short Preludes and Postludes, set 1, op. 101, C. V. Stanford, IMSLP (MA)
- “No. 1. Ach bleib mit deiner Gnade / Ah, abide with your grace,” 30 Kleine Choralvorspiele, op. 135a, Max Reger, IMSLP (ME)
- “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” ROCKINGHAM OLD, Augsburg Organ Library: Lent, arr. Robert Buckley Farlee, AF (M)
- “Litanies,” Jehan Alain, IMSLP (A)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Moses,” Ken Medema, WORD, SATB, pno (M)
- “God So Loved the World,” John Stainer, GSH, SATB, acap (M)
- “Greater Love Hath No Man,” John Ireland, GMC, SATB, org (M)
- “God of Second Chances,” Marty Haugen, GIA, SATB, keybd (E)
- “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy,” Brenda Portman, AF, SATB, keybd (E)
Art
- Brazen Serpent, Giovanni Fantoni, Mount Nebo, Jordan, 20th century (VDL)
- The Serpent in the Text, Jan Richardson (JR)
- The Mission to the World, JESUS MAFA, 1973 (VDL)
