ORDER OF WORSHIP
Second Sunday in Lent
March 1, 2026
During Lent we journey with all those around the world who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil. In today’s gospel Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born of water and Spirit. At the font we are a given a new birth as children of God. As God made a covenant with Abraham, in baptism God promises to raise us up with Christ to new life. From worship we are sent forth to proclaim God’s love for all the world.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
God So Loved the World
John Stainer
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
+ All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever..
Amen.
Let us confess our sin before God, who removes our guilt
and blots out all offenses.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Have mercy, O God,
against you, you alone,
we have sinned.
In your compassion,
cleanse us from our sin
and take away our guilt.
Create in us a new heart
and give us a steadfast spirit.
Do not cast us away,
but fill us with your Holy Spirit
and restore your joy within us. Amen.
As tender as parent to child,
so deep is God’s compassion for you.
As high as heaven is above earth,
so vast is God’s love for you.
As far as east is from west,
so far God removes your sin from you,
renewing your life through Jesus Christ.
Blessed be God who crowns us
with mercy and love.
Blessed be God forever.
GATHERING HYMN
Hope of the World
ACS 1085
Hope of the world, O Christ of great compassion,
speak to our fearful hearts by conflict rent.
Save us, your people, from consuming passion,
who by our own false hopes and aims are spent.
Hope of the world, God's gift from highest heaven,
bringing to hungry souls the bread of life:
still let your Spirit unto us be given
to heal earth's wounds and end all bitter strife.
Hope of the world, afoot on dusty highways,
showing to wand'ring souls the path of light:
walk close beside us lest the tempting byways
lure us away from you to endless night.
Hope of the world, who by your cross did save us
from death and deep despair, from guilt and sin:
we render back the love your mercy gave us;
work through our lives to bring your purpose in.
Hope of the world, Christ ris'n from death victorious,
who by this triumph conquered grief and pain:
we would be faithful to your gospel glorious;
you are our Lord and will forever reign!
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE
Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy.
Christe eleison. Christ, have mercy.
Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy.
PRAYER OF THE DAY.
Let us pray together.
O God, our leader and guide, in the waters of baptism you bring us new birth, and new life as your children. Strengthen our faith in your promises, that by your Spirit we may rejoice in the life we share in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Genesis 12:1-4a
1 The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
4a So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 121 (We will read the Psalm responsively by whole verse)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills;
from does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 The Lord will not let your foot be moved
nor will the one who watches over you fall asleep.
4 Behold, the keeper of Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep;
5 the Lord watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will preserve you from all evil
and will keep your life.
8 The Lord will watch over your going out and your coming in,
from this time forth forevermore.
SECOND READING: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
1 What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. 5 But to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.
16 For this reason the promise depends on faith, in order that it may rest on grace, so that it may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (who is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”), in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (page 198)
Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God.
Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God.
GOSPEL: John 3:1-17
The Holy Gospel according to John, the 3rd chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
Silence is kept for reflection.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Born, Reborn
ACS 956
Refrain
Born, reborn! Born, reborn! Formed, reformed!
Souls with gladness now adorned!
Born, reborn! Born, reborn! Formed, reformed!
Praise our God forevermore!
Drown us. (Drown us.) Raise us. (Raise us.)
Mark us. (Mark us.) Claim us! (Claim us!) Refrain
Name us. (Name us.) Heal us. (Heal us.)
Wash us. (Wash us.) Seal us! (Seal us!) Refrain
APOSTLE’S CREED
We now profess the faith we share using the words of the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Reconciled by God’s mercy and sustained by God’s presence, let us pray for the world and its needs.
A brief silence.
Faithful One, you renew us by grace. As you have inspired faith through the work of church artists and hymnwriters throughout the ages like George Herbert, whom the church remembers today, give your church the means to praise your beauty today. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Living One, you delight in this world. The sun and moon, the wind and the water declare your goodness. Preserve this earth, and protect conservationists, scientists, and all who labor in service to creation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Ruling One, you bless us to be a blessing. Open the hearts of all leaders to seek the flourishing of every person and lend your help to all who wait for justice, deliverance, and peace. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Compassionate One, you send your Son to save. Declare your word of acceptance to those who feel condemned and lift up everyone brought low by hatred and exclusion. Tend to all who are struggling with illness or loss, especially for Mary, Mabel, Doris, June, Willah, Ann, Julie, Christen, Carol, Anne, Judy, Jeff, Gloria, Brian, James & Grace, Katie, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Mac, Monica, Avery, Dean, John, Abby, Mike, Tim, Arleen & Richard, Betty, Linda, Henry, Glenn, Gary, Connie, Greg, Beverly & Ray, Helen & Ron, Phyllis, and Max. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Guiding One, you watch over our going out and coming in. Bless newcomers and new members in this assembly and accompany those who have left this community to journey elsewhere. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Eternal One, you neither slumber nor sleep. Be our keeper in life and in death. We rejoice with the family of Jon and Sandra Thiele at the birth of their new granddaughter, Isabella. Thank you also for our beloved ones who have died, and for your promise which saves this whole world by your love.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Receive our prayers, O God, through Jesus Christ, our strength and salvation.
Amen.
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
+ MEAL +
OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service. Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option. Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.
OFFERTORY
It Is Well With My Soul
Bliss / arr. Sawyers
OFFERING SONG
Create in Me
ELW 186
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with your free Spirit.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of goodness and growth, all creation is yours,
and your faithfulness is sure.
Word and water, wine and bread:
these are signs of your abundant grace.
Receive the gifts we bring, and nourish us
to proclaim your abiding love
in our communities and in the world,
through Jesus Christ, our strength and our song.
Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE
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.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ.
You call your people to cleanse their hearts
and prepare with joy for the paschal feast,
that, renewed in the gift of baptism,
we may come to the fullness of your grace.
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and God of might;
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy God, mighty and merciful, your people praise you, saying:
Your mercy endures forever.
Your mercy endures forever.
By your promise you bound yourself to earth and all its creatures,
granting them life and calling them to flourish:
Your mercy endures forever.
Your mercy endures forever.
By your promise you bound yourself to the Hebrew people,
blessing them as a family to outnumber the stars
and calling them to be a blessing to others,
showing them steadfast love in every generation
and calling us to be a light to the nations.
Your mercy endures forever.
Your mercy endures forever.
By your promise you joined us to Jesus, your Beloved,
grafting us into your living Vine,
and calling us to bear the fruit of your self-giving love.
Your mercy endures forever.
Your mercy endures forever.
In the night in which he was handed over,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks.
He broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
“Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
LORD'S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.
Thanks be to God.
DISTRIBUTION
The baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord’s Table where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We commune at the communion rail where we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Gluten free bread and grape juice are available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
LAMB OF GOD
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace, grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMNS
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
ELW 803
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
In the Singing
ELW 466
In the singing, in the silence,
in the hands expectant, open,
in the blessing, in the breaking,
in your presence at this table,
Refrain
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
be the wine of grace;
Jesus, Christ, Jesus Christ,
be the bread of peace.
In the question, in the answer,
in the moment of acceptance,
in the heart's cry, in the healing,
in the circle of your people, Refrain
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
Living God, as the disciples ate and drank
with their risen Lord,
we have been nourished
with the very presence of Christ.
Through this meal, may we be strengthened
to keep your word
and to proclaim the power of your love
in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
God Loved the World
ELW 323
God loved the world so that he gave
his only Son the lost to save,
that all who would in him believe
should everlasting life receive.
Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,
who was made flesh and suffered death;
all who confide in Christ alone
are built on this chief cornerstone.
If you are ill, if death draws near,
this truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus rescues us from death;
that is the firmest ground of faith.
Be of good cheer, for God's own Son
forgives all sins that you have done,
and justified by Jesus' blood,
your baptism grants the highest good.
All glory to the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To you, O blessed Trinity,
be praise now and eternally!
BENEDICTION
Receive the blessing of the holy Trinity:
God, who calls all things into existence,
Jesus Christ, who redeems us,
and the Holy Spirit, whose breath sustains creation,
bless you now and always.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Christ is with you.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Lift High the Cross
arr. Charles W. Ore
Cover Art: "Christ and Nicodemus", lithograph by Harris, Jones & Co., 1890. Public domain.
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and All Creation Sings, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
God So Loved the World, Music: John Stainer, 1840-1901, arr. David Paxton. Arr. © 1976 Lorenz Publishing Company. Music streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Hope of the World, Text: Georgia Harkness, 1891–1974, alt. Text © 1954, ren. 1982 The Hymn Society, admin. Hope Publishing Company. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Trente quatre pseaumes de David, Geneva, 1551; arr. Claude Goudimel, 1514–1572. Public domain.
Born, Reborn, Text and music: Justin Rimbo, b. 1980. Text and music © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
It Is Well With My Soul, Text: Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888, Tune: Philip P. Bliss, 1838-1876. Arr. James Sawyers, Jr. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Create in Me a Clean Heart, Music: Richard W. Hillert, 1923-2010, Music © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin Augsburg Fortress. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748. Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872. Public domain
In the Singing, Text: Shirley Erena Murray, b. 1931. Music: Carlton R. Young, b. 1926. Text and music © 1996 Hope Publishing Company. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
God Loved the World , Text: Gesangbuch, Bollhagen, 1791; tr. August Crull, 1846-1923, alt.. Music: Edward Miller, 1731-1897, adapt. Public domain.
Lift High the Cross, Tune: Sydney H. Nicholson, 1875-1947, Arr. Charles W. Ore, b. 1936. Tune © 1974 Hope Publishing Company, Arr. © 1982 Concordia Publishing House in Eleven Compositions for Organ, Set III. Music streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
