Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 19, 2023
GLORY BE TO JESUS CHRIST! GLORY FOREVER!
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.
PREVIEW OF SUNDAY’S READINGS
In our Epistle lesson for today, St. Paul underlines the gift that is our ours through baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection: adoption as children of God and the heirs of the promise which serves as a motivation to “cast out” from our lives all the sin that enslaves, and become spiritually free.
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.
Our Gospel lesson today relates the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 which prefigures both the Last Supper and the Holy Communion where bread is taken, blessed, broken, and distributeD, sustaining both our bodies and souls unto eternal life.
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
The Refugee and Newcomer Support Committee is seeking volunteers to provide transportation to the refugee family when they need assistance to attend medical appointments or other commitments in the community. Please contact Rev. Nathaniel if you are interested in volunteering and providing service to your faith community through volunteerism. All interested individuals will be added in the list of those who can help and will be contacted for availability when some needs for transportation arises.
LENTEN LECTIONARY STUDIES with Men’s Group on Wednesday at 9.30 a.m. and Women’s Group Thursday at 10.00 a.m.
WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER AND SUPPER Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
VESTRY meeting will take place next Sunday after worship in the lounge.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Morning Prayer
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 8:30 am
- Wednesday at 9.00 a.m.
Evening Prayer
- Wednesday at 5:30 pm. followed by a light supper & discussion in the Upper Hall.
Lenten Study groups
- Men’s Group – Wednesdays at 9.30 following Morning Prayer (fasting breakfast included!)
- Women’s Group – Thursdays at 10.00 a.m.