Order of Service / Lent 3 / March 8, 2026

*Gathering Hymn Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love (#574 VU | vs. 1&4)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: Come to the wellspring of our salvation.

  All: We come to the place where the water of life runs free.

One: Come to the well, and set your burdens down.

  All: We come to draw up refreshment for mind and for spirit.

One: Come, people of God, to this place of worship.

  All: We come with open hearts, ready to receive grace.

One: Come and praise the God who gives us life.

All: We come to worship and to rejoice in God’s love.

* Adapted from Kate Carwford. Gathering LE 2026. Page 29.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn As the Deer Pants for the Water (#776 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

God of living water, we confess that we look for life in places that cannot satisfy, and we ignore the deeper thirst within us. We confess that we judge others, keep our distance, and turn away from the people you welcome. Jesus, meet us at the well of your mercy, tell us the truth in love, and forgive us. Holy Spirit, renew us with courage and compassion, and make us a community that offers living water to all. In silence, we bring to God our own confessions and our hope for a new beginning. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: The One who met a weary woman at the well meets us here. Jesus tells the truth with mercy and offers living water as a gift of grace. In Christ, we are forgiven, welcomed, and made new.

All: Thanks be to God. We receive this grace with gratitude, and we will live as people renewed by love.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Romans 5:6-8 Hope in God does not disappoint us.

Psalm 95 (VU p. 814) Let us shout to the rock of our salvation.

John 4:19-26 Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Come, O fount of Every Blessing (#559 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#581 VU, v. 2 | When We Are Living)

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.

Good works of service are for offering.

When we are giving, or when receiving,

We belong to God, we belong to God.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)
God of living water, all that we are and all that we have comes from your generous love. Bless these gifts and bless our living, so that what we offer today becomes refreshment for those who are thirsty for hope, dignity, and community. Make us faithful stewards of your grace, and send us to share your love with joy. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn All the Way My Saviour Leads Me (#635 VU)

*Commissioning

One: We go from here as a people who have experienced God’s love at the well.

All: God’s love gives us hope for our journey.

One: We go as a people challenged by words of truth.

  All: God’s love gives us strength for our journey.

One: Let us go forth, singing of God’s never-ending joyful, loving presence.

All: God’s love gives us the joy we need for our journey. Amen.

*Adapted from Beth W Johnston. Gathering LE 2026. Page 34.

*Commissioning Song May God’s Sheltering Wings (#214 MV)

May God’s sheltering wings, her gathering wings protect you,

May God’s nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you,

And hold you in her love, and hold you in her love. 

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