The Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 30, 2025
THE FATHER IS MY HOPE; THE SON IS MY REFUGE;
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PROTECTION.
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 a 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 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
THANK YOU. We would like to thank everyone who baked cookies and helped with set-up, serving, and take-down during our Lenten Mission. Your time and effort made the event a success, and we are truly grateful for your support. – Lorna.
CONDOLENCES to Len and Brenda whose eldest son, Jeff, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in Saskatoon this week. We pray for God’s peace and mercy for them, and for Amy, Les and Sophia here at St. Mary’s, and all members of the family. Mercy meals may be delivered to their home. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
VESTRY MEETING in the Lower Hall follows today’s service
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
- Morning Prayer: Tuesday to Friday at 8.30 a.m.
- Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.
- Holy Communion: Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.