Liturgy for the Third Sunday of Lent
Introduction
The Third Sunday in Lent brings the season’s themes into conversation with thirst—physical, spiritual, and communal. God meets a complaining people in the wilderness with water from the rock, and Jesus meets a searching woman at a well with living water. Lent deepens here through truth-telling and grace, as God addresses our weariness without shaming us and offers life that restores trust.
This liturgy follows the Revised Common Lectionary for the Third Sunday in Lent (Year A) and is shaped by themes of thirst, honest prayer, reconciliation, and God’s sustaining presence.
The Lectionary Readings at a Glance
The readings for the Third Sunday in Lent center on thirst and God’s faithful response.
In Exodus 17:1–7, Israel quarrels with Moses in the wilderness, naming fear and frustration as thirst takes hold. God responds not with condemnation, but with provision—water from the rock—revealing a patience that sustains a people still learning to trust.
Psalm 95 invites worship grounded in gratitude and warns against hardened hearts. The psalm holds praise and warning together, calling the community to listen for God’s voice today.
In Romans 5:1–11, Paul proclaims peace with God through Jesus Christ. God’s love is poured into human hearts even while they are weak, revealing grace that precedes worthiness and restores relationship.
John 4:5–42 recounts Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus crosses social and religious boundaries, names truth without shame, and offers living water that leads not only to personal renewal, but to communal transformation.
Together, these readings invite the church to bring honest thirst before God and to receive the life God freely gives.
Call to Worship
One: Come, all who are thirsty.
All: We come, longing for water that truly satisfies.
One: God meets us in places of weariness and need.
All: God’s grace flows even in the wilderness.
One: Today, if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your hearts.
All: Let us worship the Lord, the source of living water.
Opening Prayer
God of living water,
You know our thirst, both spoken and unspoken. As we gather in worship, meet us where we are tired, uncertain, or dry. Open our hearts to receive the life you offer and our lives to be shaped by your grace. Quench our thirst with your mercy and lead us deeper into trust through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God,
We confess that we look for life in places that cannot satisfy. We complain when the journey is hard and resist the truth that would set us free. We harden our hearts instead of trusting your care. Forgive us, O God. Break open what is closed within us, and restore us by your grace. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, reconciled, and given new life.
Thanks be to God!
Prayer for Illumination
Holy God,
Send your Spirit upon us as your Word is read and proclaimed. Open our ears to hear your truth, soften our hearts to receive your grace, and draw us into the life you offer through Christ. Amen.
Prayers of the People
God of mercy and abundance,
We bring before you the thirst of the world. We pray for your church, that it may be a place of welcome, truth, and living water. We pray for communities facing scarcity, injustice, or division, that your justice and compassion may flow freely. We pray for all who feel unseen or weary, that they may know your presence and care. Fill us with your Spirit and send us out as witnesses to your grace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Closing Prayer
Eternal God,
You meet us at the wells of our lives and offer water that never runs dry. As we continue this Lenten journey, keep us open to your truth and grounded in your grace. Lead us from thirst into trust, and from fear into faithful witness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
