Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’    John 4 : 13 - 14

Readings this week Exodus 17 : 1 - 7; Romans 5 : 1 - 11;  John 4 : 5 - 42

Thoughts for this week

The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman is one of the most profound episodes in the life of Jesus. It is even depicted in our East window. On a very ordinary day for the woman, meeting with Jesus changed her life, and the conversation recorded contains some of the most profound truths of the New Testament for worship, faith and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps most remarkable is the way in which the woman becomes a channel for the Lord’s grace. She is so powerfully impacted by Jesus, she goes and tells everyone. They then believe. They open their lives to who Jesus is. Invite Him to stay. And they are Samaritans! This is the Gospel breaking into the world and transforming people’s lives.

Today is International Women’s Day. Yet for Jesus, that is true of every day. Jesus speaks to the woman personally, knowing the depths of her situation. Yet Jesus also shares truth for each of us personally in our lives, of the living streams of the Holy Spirit.

In these days of uncertainties and tensions, the well of the Lord’s grace is never dry. We have access to living streams. Can Lent be a time when we discover these and receive in a new way? 

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever, Amen

Eternal God, give us insight to discern your will for us, to give up what harms us, and to seek the perfection we are promised in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

We praise the Lord and give thanks …

For our Churchwardens, their dedication and faith in Jesus

For those being baptised, and those being Confirmed at this time