Dear Friends,

One of the themes connecting our readings for this Sunday (links below) is ‘thirst’; how God satisfies our human thirst, both spiritual and physical, with grace, patience and self-giving love.

In our Old Testament reading from Exodus, the Israelites are found wandering in the wilderness weary and desperate for water. Their thirst leads them to quarrel with Moses about whether God is really on their side. In the face of this, God responds with mercy, causing water to spring from a rock to sustain his people. We are reminded that God provides even when our faith is weak and our trust in him is strained.

This week’s Gospel passage deepens this image of thirst. Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well where he speaks of ‘living water’. A conversation which begins with a simple request for a drink leads to the profound revelation that the water Jesus offers leads to the gift of new life. The woman is transformed by this encounter and shares this news with her entire community.

In Romans, Paul reflects on the deeper meaning of this fountain of grace. Through Christ, we have peace with God; furthermore, even while we were weak and far from God, Christ died for us. God quenches our thirst, meeting us not with condemnation but with reconciliation.

If Lent is a journey through the dry wilderness of our own hearts, then we will all know what it means to thirst. Perhaps we are thirsting for meaning, forgiveness, hope and belonging. These readings remind us that God does not leave us thirsty. He meets us and offers us the chance to drink of new life.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Readings & Collect

Exodus 17: 1-7

Romans 5: 1-11

John 4: 5-42

Collect:

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.

Lent Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

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.

BCP Collect:

We beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lent Bible Study

The Rector will be leading a series of five Bible Studies on Tuesday evenings during Lent in Chew Stoke Village Hall, 7.00–8.00pm. Remaining sessions:

Tuesday 10^th March

Tuesday 24^th March

Tuesday 31^st March

(note: no Bible Study on 17^thMarch)

Each week we will be working through two short books in parallel: Joel (Old Testament) and Philippians (New Testament). The prophet Joel speaks to us of the need to turn back towards God and to take seriously his calling to repentance and renewal. It is a brief but fascinating book which moves from despair to hope. Similarly, St Paul’s letter to the Philippians (written while he was in prison) is a passionate plea to the church to press forward in the hope we have in Christ with joy and perseverance. ‘Rejoice in the Lord, always’ he insists (Phil 4:4).

The sessions are free and will include tea and coffee. You don’t need to attend all five sessions, so do come when you can.

For Your Prayers

Please pray for…

…the Church throughout the world … as we journey through Lent, renew us with the living water of your Spirit … strengthen all who preach, teach, and lead worship, that the Church may faithfully share the good news of Christ with a thirsty and searching world;

… for the nations of the world and for all who hold authority and power … continue to pray for the Middle East … for the healing waters of peace and reconciliation … guide leaders to seek justice, protect the vulnerable, and care for the earth and its resources;

… pray for all places where people lack clean water and basic necessities for life … stir the hearts of governments, organisations, and communities to work together so that all may share in the gifts of creation and no one is left in need.

… for our own communities … as Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, help us to meet one another with kindness, openness, and understanding;

… for all who are thirsty for comfort, strength, or peace: the sick, the anxious, the lonely, and all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit … pour out your living water upon them, and surround them with your presence and care;

Contact

Revd Dr Ian Mills, Rector & Area Dean

The Rectory

4 Parsonage Lane

Winford

BS40 8DG

Telephone: (01275) 474504

chewvalleywest@gmail.com