24 February 2008

Welcome to St Alban’s Anglican Church 

Today's Scripture (HC) : Exodus 17: 1-7     Romans 5: 1-11     S. John 4: 5-42

Today's Liturgy: 8.35 a.m. BCP Matins;    9.00a.m. Scripture Study;    9.30 a.m. Holy Communion;    Evening Pr. 6.00 p.m.

This Week: Tues - Fri: Midday Prayers 12.30 p.m.; Sat: Ministry of the Word at Northward Prison. 10 a.m.

3^rd Sunday in Lent

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.

FAITH IN FOCUS: WHAT DO YOU GET?

For most of us Lent has come round again and we may think that we’ve heard it all before. But for a small group of people throughout the world it’s something that they will never forget. They are catechumens and candidates.

Each Sunday of Lent the Church tries to give them (and us) one principal image to latch on to in order to express something of the significance of becoming a fully fledged Christian. What do you get when you believe in Jesus?

Today we’re told that we get WATER. But it’s not just any old water. Jesus promises the Samaritan women water of life. In other words, if you drink this water it will satisfy all your longings and yearnings. Following Jesus is not like some hobby, something that you can do part-time, something that you can take or leave. It’s all-consuming because it alters the whole meaning of your life. It quenches that thirst of emptiness which can easily take hold of us. What Christ offers is something that satisfies deep down.

Next week we’ll see that we get LIGHT. Jesus will cure a man who was born blind. It will transform his whole being. Not only will he see things, but he’ll see everything in a new light, in a completely different way, because he knows the source of this new-found sight. The gospel sheds light for us on the decisions and choices of our lives. Unlike those who have not received this light of faith we see things differently.

In two weeks time we’ll discover that we get LIFE. When Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead his life takes on a new meaning. He will never wake up the same ever again. The life that Jesus offers us has an effect on how we enjoy God’s creation here on earth but it carries with it an extra bonus: the knowledge that we are intended for a life of happiness that never ends.

So if you think you’ve heard it all before, listen with the ears of a catechumen and rediscover what’s really on offer for those who are prepared to give their lives to God.

WORD OF GOD

Sir, give me some of that water, so that I may never get thirsty and have to come here again to draw water.

(John 4:15)

WORD FOR TODAY

What do you really want out of life? What would make your life so complete that you would feel that you were lacking nothing? Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that he has it on tap. And it can be yours too. What is it?

WHEN YOU HAVE COME TO THE EDGE of all light that you know, and are about to drop off into the darkness, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.

(Patrick Overton)

 

FAITH is not belief. Belief is passive. Faith is active.

(Edith Hamilton)

THREE THINGS are necessary for people’s salvation: to know what they ought to believe; to know what they ought to desire; to know what they ought to do.

(St Thomas Aquinas)

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS:

Mon: Genesis 47:1-27, Hebrews 4:14 - 5:10, John 7: 37-52

Tues: Gen 47:28 - 48.end, Heb 5:11 - 6:12, John 7:53 - 8:11

Wed: Gen 49:1-32, Heb 6:13-end, John 8:12-30

Thur: Gen 49:33 - 50.end, Heb 7:1-10, John 8: 31-47

Fri: Exod 1:1-14, Heb 7:11-end, John 8: 48-end

Sat: Exod 1:22 - 2:10, Hebrews 8, John 9: 1-17

NEXT SUNDAY (4^th IN LENT): 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, S. John 9