Hardening hearts and testing God
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: It is interesting that the only reference to this incident in the Old Testament (Psalm 95:8ff.) focuses on its negative aspect, namely, the fact that the people hardened their hearts and tested God. Paul, however, in 1 Corinthians 10:4 gives this event (and its parallel in Numbers 20:7ff.) a positive "spin" by equating the rock with none other than the Christ!
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
Come, let us sing to God!
People:
LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION!
Leader:
Let us come into God's presence with thanksgiving!
People:
LET US LAVISH GOD WITH SONGS OF PRAISE!
Collect
All-powerful God, you have put up with human unfaithfulness throughout history. Empower us with your Spirit: that, trusting at last in you and doing your will, we may live at peace with ourselves and one another. In the inspiring name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most patient God, we confess with shame that, like the Israelites of old, we have tried you and tested you by breaking your commandments, ignoring your will, and doubting your word, and we have wound up wandering aimlessly in a spiritual wilderness of our own making. Forgive us, we pray; give us by your grace the desire and ability to commit ourselves fully and to entrust ourselves completely to you; and lead us finally into the promised glory of your coming Reign and the image of Christ Jesus. In his name we pray. Amen
Third Sunday in Lent
Second Lesson: Romans 5:1-11
Theme:
Reconciliation to God
Exegetical note: After spelling out the effects of justification in the first few verses of this passage, Paul returns in vv. 6ff. to talk about justification itself in terms of the image of reconciliation, which presupposes that the state of sin is one of estrangement. Paul makes it clear in v. 10 that it is we who are reconciled to God by virtue of the Christ, rather than vice versa (as certain later theories of atonement suggested), presumably because alienation was humanity's problem, not God's.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
O Come, let us worship and bow down!
People:
LET US KNEEL BEFORE THE GOD OF OUR SALVATION!
Leader:
For God is ours!
People:
AND WE ARE GOD'S!
Collect
Eternal God, you have always found ways to reconcile estranged humanity to yourself. Return us to your good graces as well: that, restored to a meaningful relationship with you, we may become transformed after the image and likeness of the Christ. In his holy name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, it shames us to have to admit how often we have turned our backs on you, how consistently we have ignored our relationship with you, how far we have drifted spiritually from you, and how much we have suffered as a result. Forgive us, O God, and remind us again of your reconciling grace in the person and work of Christ Jesus. Draw us once more to you, and keep us there forever by the sustaining power of your Holy Spirit. In the redemptive name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Third Sunday in Lent
Gospel:
John 4:5-26
Theme:
Quenching spiritual thirst
Exegetical note: The central point of this multifaceted incident between Jesus and the Samaritan woman hinges on the double entendre in the phrase "living water." Water imagery for spirituality is practically universal (e.g., as in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism), but there was no doubt in the mind of John and the faith of the early Church that it was precisely (and only) Jesus, the Christ, who was the life-giving water.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
In God's hands are the depths of the earth!
People:
UNDER GOD'S CONTROL ARE THE HEIGHTS OF THE MOUNTAINS!
Leader:
For God made the dry lands on which we may stand!
People:
AND GOD MADE THE WATERS FROM WHICH WE MAY DRINK!
Collect
Magnificent God, your power and grandeur are like a mighty boundless ocean of infinite depth and purity. Let the waters of your Spirit wash over us and fill us: that, with our spirits cleansed and quenched, we may be refreshed and renewed. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Compassionate God, we confess that, because of our sinful inclinations and acts, we lead parched lives with spirits that are dry as death and thirst for you. Forgive us, we pray; lead us as you did the Samaritan woman to the bottomless well of your living water, which you so freely offer us in Christ Jesus; and let us drink deeply there of your glorious grace, your matchless mercy, and your lasting love. In the name of Jesus, the Christ, the water of life, we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
Come, let us sing to God!
People:
LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION!
Leader:
Let us come into God's presence with thanksgiving!
People:
LET US LAVISH GOD WITH SONGS OF PRAISE!
Collect
All-powerful God, you have put up with human unfaithfulness throughout history. Empower us with your Spirit: that, trusting at last in you and doing your will, we may live at peace with ourselves and one another. In the inspiring name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Most patient God, we confess with shame that, like the Israelites of old, we have tried you and tested you by breaking your commandments, ignoring your will, and doubting your word, and we have wound up wandering aimlessly in a spiritual wilderness of our own making. Forgive us, we pray; give us by your grace the desire and ability to commit ourselves fully and to entrust ourselves completely to you; and lead us finally into the promised glory of your coming Reign and the image of Christ Jesus. In his name we pray. Amen
Third Sunday in Lent
Second Lesson: Romans 5:1-11
Theme:
Reconciliation to God
Exegetical note: After spelling out the effects of justification in the first few verses of this passage, Paul returns in vv. 6ff. to talk about justification itself in terms of the image of reconciliation, which presupposes that the state of sin is one of estrangement. Paul makes it clear in v. 10 that it is we who are reconciled to God by virtue of the Christ, rather than vice versa (as certain later theories of atonement suggested), presumably because alienation was humanity's problem, not God's.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
O Come, let us worship and bow down!
People:
LET US KNEEL BEFORE THE GOD OF OUR SALVATION!
Leader:
For God is ours!
People:
AND WE ARE GOD'S!
Collect
Eternal God, you have always found ways to reconcile estranged humanity to yourself. Return us to your good graces as well: that, restored to a meaningful relationship with you, we may become transformed after the image and likeness of the Christ. In his holy name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, it shames us to have to admit how often we have turned our backs on you, how consistently we have ignored our relationship with you, how far we have drifted spiritually from you, and how much we have suffered as a result. Forgive us, O God, and remind us again of your reconciling grace in the person and work of Christ Jesus. Draw us once more to you, and keep us there forever by the sustaining power of your Holy Spirit. In the redemptive name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Third Sunday in Lent
Gospel:
John 4:5-26
Theme:
Quenching spiritual thirst
Exegetical note: The central point of this multifaceted incident between Jesus and the Samaritan woman hinges on the double entendre in the phrase "living water." Water imagery for spirituality is practically universal (e.g., as in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism), but there was no doubt in the mind of John and the faith of the early Church that it was precisely (and only) Jesus, the Christ, who was the life-giving water.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 95)
Leader:
In God's hands are the depths of the earth!
People:
UNDER GOD'S CONTROL ARE THE HEIGHTS OF THE MOUNTAINS!
Leader:
For God made the dry lands on which we may stand!
People:
AND GOD MADE THE WATERS FROM WHICH WE MAY DRINK!
Collect
Magnificent God, your power and grandeur are like a mighty boundless ocean of infinite depth and purity. Let the waters of your Spirit wash over us and fill us: that, with our spirits cleansed and quenched, we may be refreshed and renewed. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Compassionate God, we confess that, because of our sinful inclinations and acts, we lead parched lives with spirits that are dry as death and thirst for you. Forgive us, we pray; lead us as you did the Samaritan woman to the bottomless well of your living water, which you so freely offer us in Christ Jesus; and let us drink deeply there of your glorious grace, your matchless mercy, and your lasting love. In the name of Jesus, the Christ, the water of life, we pray. Amen
