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March 9, 2023
John 4:5-42
Scripture readings
for Sunday, March 12
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
• For our community of faith as we seek to do God’s work in the world.
• For those in our congregation and community who suffer silently with illness, financial burdens, and family obligation.
• For people affected by coronavirus, their families, essential workers, doctors, nurses, aides, those working in nursing homes, etc.
• For Kay Marker Magneson, Roy Pihl, George Balcom, Trudy Fetzner, Thom Shagla, Alan Anderson, Vince Alessi, Norm Wolff, Sarah VanStaalduin, Charlene Hunter, Joe Gauvin, Emerson Allaby, Karen Brown, Tom West, John Gingrass, those serving in the military and law enforcement and their families, including Ben Wickerham, those caught up in violence and war who have no safe home in which to live.
• For the ELCZ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe and ELCZa Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Names will remain of the Prayer List for a month - at which
time it will be taken off unless, or course, there is still a continued need
for our prayers and we’re asked to keep the name on.
5[Jesus] came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.
7A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8(His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” 13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” 15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” 17The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” 19The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” 26Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.”
27Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” 28Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29“Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” 30They left the city and were on their way to him.
31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?” 34Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
39 Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”
REFLECTION
Pr. Ivy Gauvin
“[Jesus] came to a Samaritan city called Sychar.” The Jews and Samaritans did not mix. They were cousins, of sorts, but not the kissing kind. Living in the Holy Land clarified for me just how odd it was for Jesus and the disciples to venture into Samaria. For one thing, it was not geographically the most direct route to Jerusalem. Of course, the area was not desert, as the shorter way through the Jordan Valley was. It is a cool, lush place with a well. You don’t find places like that along the quicker way via the Jordan Valley.
Jesus loved to cross boundaries, to push the envelope, to go where he should not have been, where his presence was unexpected. He also reached out to those on the outside of society. This time it was noon, and he talked with a Samaritan woman. Oh, my! The fact that no decent woman would go to the well at noon was one thing, but she was a Samaritan and not just a Samaritan, but one with a checkered past.
One thing we do not see in this long scripture text is Jesus laying blame and shame on the Samaritan woman. Like the previous encounter with Nicodemus, the woman understood Jesus’ language as literally talking about water. What Jesus meant spiritually, the woman thought was literal.
What was the result of Jesus going somewhere he shouldn’t have been, talking to someone he shouldn't have been talking to? The woman finally got it and shared the good news with her neighbors.
I love the last few verses of this text:
Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”
This is the result of Jesus listening to his Father’s voice, letting the Holy Spirit lead. The Samaritans wanted Jesus to stay longer. However, when Jesus went to Jewish towns, he didn’t necessarily get such a welcome. The people of his hometown of Nazareth wanted to throw him off a hill.
Yesterday was International Women’s Day. Here is a devotion from the Women of the ELCA on that. What women have influenced you by their stories and lives? If you are a woman, how will you carry on this sacred tradition? Men, too, can faithfully share the good news, making more followers of Jesus. Will you take up the challenge of being obedient to the Spirit, of letting God work through you to touch others for the sake of the world?
“Go where your best prayers take you.”
Frederick Buechner, American writer and theologian
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALENDAR
March 13 & 15 Healthy Bones 9 am
March 16 Tai Chi 9:30 am and 12:00 pm
March 16 Choir 5 pm
March 16 Lenten Program 6:00 pm
Lenten Midweek Gatherings
We will be gathering at 6 pm on Thursdays during Lent.
The theme is “Making Change.”
Change is hard. We long for the expected and familiar, but all too often find ourselves in the midst of uncertainty and the unknown. We cannot predict how things will turn out... God’s steadfast love [is proclaimed] in the midst of life’s inevitable changes: “All my hope on God is founded who will all my trust renew, who through change and chance will guide me, only good and only true. God unknown, God alone, call my heart to be thine own” (ELW 757, All My Hope on God is Founded). (Sundaysandseasons.com)
We have experienced a lot of change in the last few years: COVID, deaths of precious congregants and so much else. Join us for this series. We will also have a bite to eat together.
Come feed your body and spirit!
Week of Lent 3: Change of Circumstances
We move from elementary to middle school, or from our hometown to a new community. We lose a job, or gain a child, or accomplish a goal, or relinquish a dream. Through it all, we learn to give thanks to God in all circumstances.
Week of Lent 4: Change of Heart
Jesus’ words to the Pharisees give us pause: “You honor me with your lips, but your hearts are far from me.” Jesus invites us to experience a change of heart that will in fact change every part of our lives.
Week of Lent 5: Change of Plans
God’s ways are not our own. We expect a conquering king and hero, but Jesus instead leads us down the road to Jerusalem and humbles himself on the cross. God changes our plans and replaces them with a love broader and deeper than anything we could imagine.
5& 2 Ministry
We continuously collect food items for the 5 & 2 Ministry. Bring your donations and place in the black bin in church narthex. Lists detailing items needed are also available in the narthex and on our website. Monetary donations always welcome! Contact Gale-Svenson-Campbell for details.
gales1949@gmail.com
5 & 2 Ministry Food Bins Donated to Date: 108
Fighting childhood hunger in our community one child at a time.
Helping combat food scarcity in our community.
Can you help pack on
Tuesday nights from 7-8?
Contact Gale Svenson-
Campbell at:
***ONLINE GIVING now available at St. Timothy for Debit/Credit cards. 3 ways to give:
- Go directly to our website at www.sttimothybemus.com
- Use our QR code with the QR reader on your smartphone
- Download the app ‘GivePlus Church’. Create an account.
For further information, see Kathy Carlson on Sundays or call her at 485-1316.
On the five Sundays of Lent, please join your St. Timothy church family immediately following worship, for a Lenten Bible Study 40 Days of Giving
#3 March 12 – Psalm 95 “For the Lord is a great God, and a great King
above all gods.” Ps 95:3
#4 March 19 – Psalm 23 “You prepare a table before me.” Ps 23:5
#5 March 26 – Psalm 130 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and I [God’s] word I hope.” Ps 130:5
At noon at First Lutheran in Jamestown, there is a brief service followed by a
light lunch for $7.
The overall theme is Turning Toward God’s Abundance.
Week 3 – March 15, Compassion Preacher/Leader: Mark Swanson
Gospel: Luke 13:1-9 The barren fig tree
Week 4 – March 22, Forgiveness Preacher/Leader: Laura Csellak
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 The prodigal son
Lutherans Restoring Creation
One way in which ELCA congregations demonstrate love for our world is by caring for God’s creation. Our actions impact our neighbors and the environment, locally and globally, in the present and in the future. Join the Actions Speak Loudly! initiative to share how your congregation is caring for creation and to learn how others are participating in this movement. Visit www.LutheransRestoringCreation.org for resources or join the effort by completing this form: bit.ly/LRCActionPlan.
Stories of Faith in Action
Across the ELCA we are connected through the stories we tell, the stories we hear and the stories we experience in ministry among one another. “Stories of Faith in Action” features vital ministries made possible by the generous Mission Support shared by ELCA congregations. This Mission Support is available because of the faith-filled regular offerings that individuals give to their congregations. Learn about leaders who step out in faith to try something new, and people who open their arms and their hearts to meet people in new places. Read “Stories of Faith in Action” at LivingLutheran.org/SOFIA.
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Adopt-A-Project Day
April 15, 2023 9:00 - 3:00 PM
Calling all Volunteers! Youth groups, former staff, pastors, adult groups, handymen: we have a project for all skill sets.
Projects available for adoption this year include:
· Screen Repair/ Re-Screening
· Fiesta Tent Set Up
· Indoor Painting
· Trail Maintenance
· Retreat Center garden raking, trimming, etc.
· Outdoor Chapel raking, trimming, sprucing up
· Pressure Washing the Retreat Center
A complimentary lunch will be served for all volunteers. Please contact the office to adopt a project and RSVP today. Overnight accommodations at the Retreat Center are available.
Please let us know if you are interested in being a team lead.
Office Number: 716-386-4125 Email: David@lclcenter.org
Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center
716-386-4125
We are pleased to announce that in-person GRACE Gatherings will be taking place this month! While we would have also loved to have held an online gathering, that event has been postponed until a later time.
In the meantime, you are encouraged to attend a local in-person gathering.
Locations will be the following:
Parkside Lutheran - Buffalo, NY on March 12th
St. Paul's - Liverpool, NY on March 19th
Good Shepherd - Glenville, NY on March 26th
Bishop Lee Miller II will be preaching during worship at the host congregation. Following worship, there will be a time for fellowship and discussion around the topic of Restorative Justice (this year's focus for the G.R.A.C.E mindset).
Attendees are encouraged to network and share ideas around the topics of:
· Gender Justice
· Environmental Justice
· Hunger Justice
· Racial Justice
· ANY of the topics listed on the Justice Portal of the ELCA
Interim Director Announcement
Welcome Pastor Gail Swanson
Greetings!
The LCLC Board of Directors has been busy looking for our Interim Executive Director, and we have found one! Please join me in Welcoming Pastor Gail Swanson as she steps into this new role.
For those who do not know Pastor Gail, she currently serves as the pastor of the wonderful people at Atonement Lutheran Church in Rochester, NY. In 2021, she completed two terms on the LCLC Board of Directors and has been coming to camp for over 50 years! Pastor Gail was an LCLC camper, spent 10 summers on staff, as well as serving as a Chaplain and Confirmation Camp Pastor. When she is not attending LCLC for programming, Pastor Gail and her husband, Pastor Craig Swanson, spend summer vacation time at their trailer in the Family Trailer area at LCLC.
As soon as we met with Pastor Gail, her love for LCLC could not have been stronger. She immediately jumped in on where we currently stand and what needs to be done, in order for her to hit the ground running when she begins her Interim responsibilities on March 1st. She later went on to say how important it will be to make sure the relationships between the campers/parents/staff/pastors/ Synod and the whole LCLC community stay positive and strong throughout this transition. Pastor Gail is excited to meet everyone and will be a welcoming face when it comes time for Summer Camp! We are excited to bring her on board as we start our search for our permanent Executive Director, and know that she will work faithfully in this position!
