Third Sunday in Lent

Color: Purple
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9

Theme Ideas

Repentance, a central theme of Lent, cannot be ignored in today's lessons. Jesus' words are clear: repent or perish. Isaiah's words, "Let the wicked forsake their ways," echo Christ's. Paul's writing gives a strong warning from Israel's history to the Corinthians and to us today: "God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down." But repentance is not merely a cessation of sin or a halting of that which is not pleasing in God's sight; it is more than that. Repentance also carries the idea of turning around in a new direction, of doing a one-eighty in your life. Isaiah invites us to embrace the abundant life that God offers us.

Call to Worship (Isaiah 55)

Seek the Lord while God is to be found.
Call upon God while God is near!
Repent of unrighteous ways.
It is never too late to turn to God!
Get rid of evil thoughts.
Let us turn to God, that God may have mercy on us!
For God will pardon our sins and cleanse us
of our transgressions.
We will praise God for the new life we have found!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!

Call to Worship (Psalm 63)

Lord, you are our God.
We will praise you with joyful lips.
Lord, you are our God.
Our souls thirst for you.
Lord, you are our God.
We behold your power and majesty.
Lord, you are our God.
We will bless you all of the days of our lives.

Contemporary Gathering Words (Psalm 63)

O God, you are our God.
We will ever praise you!

Praise Sentences

New every morning is your mercy, O God.
You save us from our transgressions.
You bless us with steadfast love and mercy.
In true repentance, we find new life.

Opening Prayer (Luke 13)

Gracious and eternal God,
you call us into a new way of being,
and give us so many second chances in life.
May your love wash over us,
as we turn toward you
from our sinful ways.
Mold us as your people
in new and powerful ways,
that we may be true disciples
of your Son, Jesus Christ,
in whose name we pray. Amen.

Opening Prayer (Psalm 63)

Gentle and loving God,
our souls cling to you
like a newborn baby
clings to its mother.
Give us this day the Bread of life,
that as we feast at your table,
our souls may be filled with your praise,
in Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

A broken and contrite heart
is the acceptable sacrifice to you, O God.
And so we come before you today,
as sinners in need of your mercy.
Grant us your forgiveness, O God.
Help us turn from our old ways.
Lead us into newness of life,
that our actions may be found pleasing
in your sight. Amen.

Unison Prayer

I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing; I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

Benediction

Turn to the Lord, for God is good.
We have found new life in Christ!
Repent of your sins and find God's forgiveness.
We have found new life in Christ!
Go forth as new creatures, able to serve
and quick to love.
We have found new life in Christ!

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From The Abingdon Worship Annual edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright © Abingdon Press.