In today’s Gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers living water, a sign of God’s grace flowing from the waters of baptism. The early church used this gospel and those of the next two Sundays to deepen baptismal reflection during the final days of preparation before baptism at Easter. As we journey to the resurrection feast, Christ comes among us in word, bath, and meal—offering us the life-giving water of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
The people’s responses are given in bold.
The people stand as the sacred ministers enter from the south-east door.
THE GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
And with thy spirit.
COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God,
unto whom all hearts be open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love thee,
and worthily magnify thy holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.
This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and write both these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.
KYRIE ELEISON
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
The collect is the prayer appointed for the day that reflects the theme of the day or season, and which celebrates the attributes of God revealed in the readings of the day.
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life,
may we always thirst for you,
the spring of life and source of goodness;
through him who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The people may be seated.
THE FIRST READING Exodus 17. 1–7 Stephen White
Because the thirsty Israelites quarreled with Moses and put God to the test, Moses cried out in desperation to God. God commanded Moses to strike the rock to provide water for the people. The doubt-filled question—“Is the Lord among us or not?”—received a very positive answer.
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord com-manded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarrelled with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’ But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?’ So Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’ The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.’ Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarrelled and tested the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
THE PSALM Psalm 95 Cantate Domino
Please join in singing the Psalm responsively by the full verse as indicated.
1 Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is a great God, * and a great king above all gods.
4 In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. * Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
8 Harden not your hearts, as your forebears did in the wilderness, * at Meribah, and on that day at Massah, when they tempted me.
9 They put me to the test, * though they had seen my works.
10 Forty years long I detested that generation and said, * “This people are wayward in their hearts; they do not know my ways.”
11 So I swore in my wrath, * “They shall not enter into my rest.”
THE SECOND READING Romans 5. 1–11 Stephen White
Though we often hear that God helps those who help themselves, here Paul tells us that through Jesus’ death God helps utterly helpless sinners. Since we who had been enemies are reconciled to God in the cross, we now live in hope for our final salvation.
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
THE HOLY GOSPEL John 4. 5–42
Jesus defies convention to engage a Samaritan woman in conversation. Her testimony, in turn, leads many others to faith.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
So [Jesus] came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.
A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’. (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The 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.) Jesus 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.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?’ Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 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.’ The 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.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Go, call your husband, and come back.’ The woman answered him, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said to her, ‘You are right in saying, “I have no husband”; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’ The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am he, the one who is speaking to you.’
Just 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?’ Then the woman left her water-jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, ‘Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?’ They left the city and were on their way to him.
Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples said to one another, ‘Surely no one has brought him something to eat?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 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. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, “One sows and another reaps.” I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.’
Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’ So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there for two days. And many more believed because of his word. They 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 Saviour of the world.’
Following the reading,
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
THE SERMON The Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson
The sermon follows the readings and reflects on one or more the readings, relating them to our Christian discipleship and daily life.
The people are seated.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostle’s Creed
Let us confess the faith of our baptism as we say,
I believe in God the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Stephen White
We pray for the Church throughout the world; the flourishing of creation; the nation, our King and all in authority under him; the needs of the world, the concerns of our community of faith, especially those who have requested our prayers; and for the departed.
The people are seated.
Reconciled by God’s mercy and sustained by God’s presence, let us pray for the world and its needs.
A brief silence.
O God, when suffering arises, preserve your church. With the worldwide Anglican Communion and in our cycle of prayer we pray for The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & The Middle East. In our Diocese of Niagara, we pray for Grace Church, Milton, The Reverend Karine Snowdon, Rector; The Reverend Mark Curtis, Honorary Assistant Priest; and the people of that parish. We pray for Susan and Colin our bishops; David, Sarah, and Patrick our priests; Adedayo our student minister; and for our other parish leaders and all the people. Give to priests, deacons, bishops, and all servants of your gospel the endurance that produces character and the hope that will never disappoint. Receive our prayer, O God;
your mercy is great.
When the waters run dry, sustain this earth. Send water to places languishing with drought, especially Somalia, Kenya, and the Wider Horn of Africa. Bring relief to places damaged by floods, especially the areas north of São Paulo, Brazil. Receive our prayer, O God;
your mercy is great.
When quarrels ensue, soften our hearts. Quell hostilities between nations and peoples, and reconcile all humans across the lines of race, class, nationality, moral conviction, religion, and all else that divides or oppresses. Guard the innocent, guide leaders away from violence, and turn peoples toward justice, restraint, and the peace that honours every human life. Bring an end to all war, especially among the nations of the Middle East, the United States of America, Ukraine, Russia, Myanmar, Sudan, and Myanmar. We pray for Charles our King and all in authority under him, that they may work for the common good. Receive our prayer, O God;
your mercy is great.
When your people thirst, satisfy their needs. Send water and food to all who need nourishment. Grant welcome to all who are excluded. We pray for all those who have requested our prayers: Bruce, Kevin, Marlene, Moira, Brooke, Kathryn, Peter, Jas, Isabel, Eileen, Madison, Pam, David H, Mary, Cheryl, Scott M, Cam, Freda, Connie, Ted, Tom, Melissa and Carter. We pray also for those with needs known to us whom we name silently or aloud (a silence is kept for names to be said). Show your mercy to all in need. Receive our prayer, O God;
your mercy is great.
When we gather to worship, send us your Spirit. Renew our hearts through the joyful noise we make and bless the work of our church musicians and choirs. Receive our prayer, O God;
your mercy is great.
O God, when death draws near, we rejoice in the promise of life with you. We remember all who have entered eternal rest, and we pray that you bring us the hope of sharing in your glory. Bring all your faithful people to the banquet feast of your kingdom with St. Jude and all the saints. Receive our prayer, O God;
your mercy is great.
Receive our prayers, O God, through Jesus Christ, our strength and salvation. Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to him.
Come unto me all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Matthew 1.28
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3.16
Hear also what Saint Paul saith.
This is a true saying, and worthy of all to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1.15
Hear also what Saint John saith.
If anyone sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2.1,2
Ye that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead the new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to almighty God.
Silence is kept.
Almighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Maker of all things and judge of all people:
We acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness,
Which we from time to time most grievously have committed,
By thought, word and deed,
Against thy divine majesty.
We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
Forgive us all that is past;
And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee
In newness of life,
To the honour and glory of thy name;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him: have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE PEACE
The people may stand.
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us access to his grace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
The people are welcome to share words of peace with one another.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Spring of life and Source of goodness,
receive all we offer you this day,
and bring us to the living water,
Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
In the Great Thanksgiving, we do what Jesus himself asked us to do: to give thanks to God and remember all that God has done for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. We recall what Jesus did at the Last Supper with his friends, where he took, blessed, broke, and gave bread and wine as sacraments of his body and blood. We begin the Great Thanksgiving with the Sursum corda, meaning “Lift up your hearts.”
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
It is meet and right so to do.
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, creator and preserver of all things, Who hast bidden us thy faithful people to cleanse our hearts and to prepare with joy for the paschal feast; that reborn through the waters of baptism, and renewed in the eucharistic mystery, we may be more fervent in prayer and more generous in works of love. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name; evermore praising thee and singing:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessing and glory and thanksgiving be unto thee, almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memorial of that his precious death, until his coming again.
Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread; and, when he had given thanks, he brake it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all, of this; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Wherefore, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we thy humble servants, with all thy holy Church, remembering the precious death of thy beloved Son, his mighty resurrection, and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming again in glory, do make before thee, in this sacrament of the holy bread of eternal life and the cup of everlasting salvation, the memorial which he hath commanded:
We praise thee, we bless thee, we thank thee,
and we pray to thee, Lord our God.
And we entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion; And we pray that by the power of thy Holy Spirit, all we who are partakers of this holy communion may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
We join in the prayer that Jesus himself taught his followers to pray.
Lord Jesus, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word, and I shall be healed.
FRACTION ANTHEM Agnus Dei
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: grant us thy peace.
All people are welcome to receive the Holy Communion. The Holy Communion is distributed at the altar rail and the church greeters will invite people to come forward one row at a time. You are welcome to kneel or stand to receive. You may receive Holy Communion in either, or both the bread and the wine. Gluten free bread is available; if you prefer gluten free, please ask the priest distributing the bread. Receive the bread in your open and outstretched hands, responding, Amen. The wine is offered from a common cup. To receive please assist by helping guide the cup to your lips. If you prefer not to receive the cup, cross your arms across your chest. If you prefer to receive a blessing rather than the bread and wine of communion, again, cross your arms over your chest as the priest comes to distribute the bread and the priest will bless you.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
The people may stand.
God of our pilgrimage,
we have found the living water.
Refresh and sustain us
as we go forth on our journey,
in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
ACCLAMATION
This is love, not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son.
He is the sacrifice for our sins,
that we might live through him.
If God loves us so much
we ought to love one another.
If we love one another
God lives in us.
BLESSING
Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
ANNOUCEMENTS
Any necessary announcements concerning the life and work of the church may be made at this time.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Remember the poor.
Thanks be to God.
TODAY’S MINISTERS. Presiding Celebrant and Preacher: The Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson, Rector. Reader: Stephen White. Greeter: Stephen White.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. This liturgy is adapted from the Book of Alternative Services, The Anglican Church of Canada, 1984. This liturgy is authorised for use at St. Jude’s Church by the Bishop of Niagara. Copyrighted music is used by permission under license: OneLicense.net # A-714967
All are invited to make a gift to support
St. Jude’s ministry of sharing God’s love.
As the plate is passed or by scanning the QR code at the left or
online at stjudeschurch.net/give.
Thank you for your generosity.
St. Jude’s Church
www.stjudeschurch.net
office@stjudeschurch.net
905-844-3972
Clergy and Staff
The Right Reverend Dr. Susan J.A. Bell, Bishop of Niagara
The Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson, Rector anderson@stjudeschurch.net
The Reverend Sarah Grondin, Associate Priest grondin@stjudeschurch.net
The Reverend Canon Dr. Patrick Patterson, Priest Assistant pat.macrae.pat@gmail.com
Adedayo Olomodosi, Student Minister
Sebastian Moreno, Director of Music choir@stjudeschurch.net
Dr. Andrei Streliaev, Associate Organist
Corinne DeJong, Choral Lead and Youth Chorus Director choir@stjudeschurch.net
Grace D’Mello, Choral Scholar
Carmen Almeida, Coordinator of Youth and Children’s Ministry carmen@stjudeschurch.net
Amanda Judd, Operations Manager manager@stjudeschurch.net
Bharatie Malik, Parish Secretary office@stjudeschurch.net
Churchwardens
Kevin Coleman, People’s Warden peopleswarden@stjudeschurch.net
Nancy Coombs, Rector’s Warden rectorswarden@stjudeschurch.net
Dave Haslett, Deputy People’s Warden
Nick Choules-Burbidge, Treasurer nwrburbidge@gmail.com
We’d love to stay connected with you.
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ANNOUCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
Lenten Organ Recital Series: Wed, March 11 at Noon!
Jennifer Goodine, Director of Music & Organist, St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Burlington
Join us for an afternoon of music with tea and coffee before the recital. Freewill offerings are gratefully welcomed to support the St. Jude’s music program.
Upcoming dates: March 18 | March 25
Palm Cross Making Day: Friday, March 27 @ 9:30 AM
There’s something special about preparing for Palm Sunday as a community. It’s a beautiful way to prepare our hearts for Holy Week. Join us in the library, make palm crosses and enjoy time together as a parish family. Everyone is welcome — no experience needed.
The Story We’re In: Wednesdays @ 7 PM
Join us for relaxed evenings tracing the Christian story — from the world as it was meant to be, through its brokenness, to the hope of renewal and discovering your own place within it.
March 11 | March 18 | March 25 | April 8 | April 15 | April 22
Each evening includes a brief reflection and open conversation. All are warmly welcome. Please register online on our website.
Spring Rummage Sale: Saturday, April 25
As you change over your closets for spring, please remember the Spring Rummage Sale! We welcome donations of clothing (women’s, men’s, children’s), shoes, accessories, household items, books (no textbooks), puzzles, games, sports equipment, luggage, artwork (no small frames), and small working electric appliances (no furniture, please).
Jewelry may be dropped off at the office anytime. All other items can be brought to Victoria Hall starting Sunday, April 19.
Questions? Please contact Sally or Jenny.