THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
March 10, 2024
THE FATHER IS MY HOPE; THE SON IS MY REFUGE;
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PROTECTIOR.
ALL HOLY TRINITY, GLORY TO THEE!
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.
GETTING READY FOR SUNDAY: PREVIEW OF THE READINGS.
In the Sunday Eucharistic lections in The Book of Common Prayer, the season of Lent is understood as pilgrimage of the soul. It is a hazardous journey through a spiritual wilderness of demonic trials and temptations that separate us from the true and living God, and hold us in bondage and captivity. The first three Sundays of Lent have been all about how it is that Christ liberates us from the deceptions and power of the Evil One. On this the Fourth Sunday in Lent, the Church holds before us the goal and end of our journey. IN our Epistle reading from Galatians, St. Paul refers to “Jerusalem which is above is free and is the mother of us all.” In symbolic terms, Jerusalem is our spiritual home, a place of freedom and peace where we enjoy union and communion with God in a fellowship of love. Such also is the parish Church, the earthly counterpart of the heavenly city, which brings us to birth through the waters of baptism, and like a good mother, nourishes us through Word and Sacrament and guides us in our way. The Gospel lesson relates the story of Christ’s feeding of the 5,000 in the wilderness with 5 loaves and two fish, which is for us an image of the Eucharist, where our “bodies and souls are preserved unto eternal life”, and where we are refreshed and given the strength we need to continue the journey home.
THE LESSON: Galatians 4:26-31
But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married.” Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now. But what does the scripture say? “Cast out the slave and her son; for the son of the slave shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brethren, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 6:5-14
When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’
PARISH LIFE NOTES
COMMUNITY KITCHEN PLANNING: If you would like to be involved or have input in the planning of the community kitchen for April 2024-March 2025, meet in the lounge at 12:20 today after the service.
THE EASTER OFFERING this year has been designated by the Vestry to been given to support the Diocese of Qu’Appelle Lenten Appeal for the Bishop Nathaniel Garang Training Centre a in South Sudan. The goal is to raise $100,000 to build four classrooms, a computer laboratory, a Library, a Principal’s Office, Washrooms and a Cafeteria by the end of 2025. See:
https://quappelle.anglican.ca/diocese-of-quappelle-2024-lenten-appeal
LOWER HALL RENOVATION UPDATE. Come and see the new flooring installed this week, and the new carpet, donated by our installers, for “The Oasis” FaithQuest room!
“IF THEY KEEP QUIET, THE STONES WILL SHOUT OUT!” ( LUKE 19.40). FaithQuest children have begun a new unit on Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
| Morning Prayer | Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8:30 a.m Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. |
| Evening Prayer | Wednesday at 5.30 p.m. |