Sermon- Life Changing Experiences- The Woman at the Well

This is the sermon preached at Kings Cross Methodist Church on Sunday 24th February.

For me the 2nd March 2005 is a significant date- a day that I can tell you exactly what I was doing- at between 3-45 and 3-50 I can tell you that I was shopping with a friend in Woolworths in Lancaster- my friend was buying a doll she was needing for teaching practice. I remember because the phone call I received at that time was for me life changing- at least temporarily and even as we move through life now.

It was a phone call from my Mum to say that my Dad had been diagnosed with cancer. Life changing because of the immediate thoughts when the dreaded word cancer is mentioned. Life changing because of the uncertainty, anxiety and sadness- deep desperation that came crashing into my life. So it was life changing for me in the sense that it turned everything upside down temporarily- whilst he underwent treatment. It continued to affect my life for a long time- arriving home from finishing my first year at university to discover Dad thin, frail and really very ill- then continuing to see Dad again after having not seen him for a while – the physical changes of Dad continued to affect me. As I came to the realisation that things were not going to be exactly the same again- the ongoing side affects that I still see today. The struggle to eat particular types of food- the need for plenty of water to be able to digest food at all. The reality that human life is fragile.
The impact of the news on 2nd March changed my life- changed Dad’s life - changed life of a family.
This is an example of a life changing moment in my life- there are plenty of other life changing events that happen in all of our lives- its part of being human and experiencing life. And what do we have in the Gospel reading this morning? The encounter of Jesus and the woman at the well- a life changing experience.

Lets look at the context in which it set- the passage comes immediately after Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus- a religious leader- a Pharisee- somebody who was wealthy, educated and highly respectable man. Completely contrasting here we have a woman- coming to the well in the heat of the day in order to avoid meeting anyone- everything about her compared to Nicodemus is against her. Gender- women’s roles at the time, race- she was from Samaria- a place that was not somewhere to be from! Her lifestyle too- as we read she had, had 5 husbands. So in chapter 3 we hear Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus- Jesus’ teaching on being born again- chapter 4 we have Jesus offering “living water”- offering the chance of new life. Just take a moment to look at this- Nicodemus- wealthy, respectable, educated Pharisee, with a woman- not given a name- seen as unrespectable, immoral, from the wrong place. The differences between the two are vast- complete ends of the spectrum! Yet Jesus offers something to both of them- life changing experiences. Jesus spans across the whole spectrum of human experience there in that context and today. In different ways to different people.

In Jesus’ encounter with the woman he offers her “living water”. Water is seen again and again through the Bible- echoing God’s promises- we see the Spirit of God hovering over the waters of creation- the flood- God promising never to flood the earth again and establishing a new covenant with humanity. God leading the people out of slavery through the parted seas, Romans 6v4- Jesus passing through the waters of death and rising to new life. Again and again water echoes God’s promises- of love, acceptance ,of the offering of new life. Echoed through the reading today where Jesus is offering the living water. These all say something of the nature of God and reflect the imagery of water at Baptism. The offering of living water is that which is also offered in Baptism. Baptism- reminds of God’s love and grace and offers new life to us- offering new life, refreshment and cleansing.

Lent has traditionally been a time where people prepared for Baptism. Often during the Easter season there is an opportunity for us to renew our Baptismal vows. Lent is a time to prepare to celebrate in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is perhaps best reflected in some of the letters of Paul- dying to sin and being raised to new life in Christ and also in the service of Baptism- whether it be infant or believers. To share in Christ sufferings and in his resurrection. This season of lent once again sees us preparing to die and be raised with Christ once more- as we hear the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Lent can therefore be a time of preparation for those who have perhaps requested Baptism, but also a time of renewal for the Baptised. Although baptism is a moment- it’s a journey, that can happen at any point in our Christian life.
Jesus offering the woman living water was life changing- and we too can continually receive the living water- water that is fresh! Water that is used as a powerful symbol at Baptism. Not just our own but each time we hear the words of the Baptism service- or think of the power of the story.

The encounter between Jesus and the woman demonstrates as well what happens at Baptism- the acceptance. When we think of Baptism- it’s seen as a “welcoming into the church and to the fold”. At both infant and adult Baptism the Church congregation pledges itself to accept this individual, to encourage support and nurture. This acceptance is something that Jesus offers each and every one of us- here is a woman- not acceptable to society in her life style, not accepted because of her race, not accepted because she was a female! And yet here we have Jesus speaking to her- across the boundaries that were there Jesus offers friendship and acceptance. This acceptance is offered to all people today. It is offered in the sacrament of Baptism so powerfully- a manifestation of God’s acceptance and unconditional love. This manifestation of God’s acceptance and unconditional love should be reflected week by week to all people.
Lent and the story of Good Friday can become a time where we beat ourselves up- reminding ourselves of what we get wrong, of the things we need to sort out in our lives. It can become overwhelming. Yet Jesus calls us- as unacceptable as we may feel, as unworthy we may feel, to life, to living waters. As a Church we need to embody this- accepting each and every one of us- no matter who we are- but accepting each other, encouraging one another and loving each other.

The term living waters which features in our gospel reading, is referring to running water. Not water that is stale and old, but running water that is fresh.
Jesus offers refreshing water- think of a hot day- with a deep thirst. Jesus offers water that quenches such a deep thirst.
This lent may we therefore not be drinking water that is stale, old and out dates but drink water that offers new life, new opportunities. What are the new opportunities that can be offered to us this lent? A new sense of mission? How do we engage with this? The woman was set free from her old life- perhaps we too need to be set free from the past to embrace the future and to look at new opportunities. We need to be prepared to see life changing experiences and enable them to happen.

How do we accept people and embody to people today the life changing experience that Christ can bring? Not as some magical fantasy, but as a reality- as a way that is incarnational- God among us and with us. As Christians as Church- how can we be an environment that enables life changing experiences to take place? Jesus offered refreshment in the living water- how can we offer afresh the Christian faith- the living water of Jesus?

One of the challenges of the church today is that the gospel and person of Jesus is embedded in 2000 years of history. That the gospels were written in particular contexts and particular times. How do we release the message of the kingdom of God today- in ways that make sense that connect with people where they are at? Today’s gospel reading is centred around a well- today of course in this country in our homes, in the places where we stay or the facilities we go to a tap and outcomes the water. For the woman at the well- it was a struggle to get the water- Jesus offering water that’d last when you get the passage in literal sense would have immediately connected- a relief at the thought of not having to trek to the well each day to get water.

The water in the well wouldn’t have been the “living water” or running water as we might say- it would have been stale. Jesus was using imagery that connected with the woman’s experience. Part of Jesus using such imagery would have struck a cord with the woman, causing such a life changing experience for her. What are the images of our culture that’d demonstrate the same significance for people today. The image of the prostitute for Kings Cross is still very relevant- what is it that Jesus if he was here now would use to demonstrate the kingdom and the life that he offers for these women? How would Jesus demonstrate such a life changing experience today? To the women on the street would he perhaps ask “got a drink I can have?”

The encounter of offering water is life changing. The woman at the well became the first to witness and testify to who Jesus was. Not only did the woman find acceptance in Christ, she would have found acceptance among the rest of the Samaritans and she went on to have a ministry. For each of us this is the same. In seeing who Christ is and the difference Christ can make in our lives- we become changed people. People flowing with the love of God and are able to flow with living water. Part of the challenge of our faith is to continually flow with fresh water and not to become stale. The living water that is offered to us- gives us refreshment and allows us to be constantly renewed into the likeness of Christ and to flow with the waters of eternal life and love.

The Samaritans who come to know Jesus- as messiah come into new relationships- both we see with Jesus and one another. The woman would have been socially excluded- yet now through the transformation she is able to experience new relationships and friendships. Probably with people she’d have never expected. As a church seeking to embody the person of Jesus- how are we able to provide people to come to feel accepted and to live in relationships with others. SO often society becomes divisive yet as Christians we need to go against that and live alongside all people. To seek to engage with a wide range of people.
People seeing who Jesus was asked that he might stay with them. This is something too that we need to do- when we look here Jesus stays because he is invited to stay. For to be living water- means never to be stale. We need the Spirit to be constantly renewing us and keeping us alert and active that we might offer refreshment and living water to others.

So this Lent as we prepare to die again and be raised with Christ may we be filled with Living water- water that gives refreshment- this lent may we drink from the living water- giving refreshment to our faith and to our life. That we might offer living water to others- being wells- where others can come and drink. That they too might experience the life changing acceptance and love shown to us in Christ Jesus- being refreshed, renewed and changed that they too might be filled with the living water. AMEN

Jesus changes lives

"Jesus changed my life,"
You hear this phrase quite often,
Becomes Christian cheese at times!

Jesus does change lives though,
Why?

Jesus brings a new way of living,
Peace, love, justice.
Things that can make for a better place.

Jesus makes a difference too because:
Jesus accepts us as we are.
Jesus loves us with a love unimaginable.

Jesus changes lives,
Because although we experience hard times,
He weeps with us,
He holds us close,
Jesus whispers the promise “I am with you always”.

Jesus changes lives because,
When it seems there is no hope,
Jesus gives us hope.
In the promise “I am the light of the world.”

Jesus changes lives because:
To those without direction “come follow me”
To the unloved he says “you are my child and loved.”
To the rejected “you are accepted.”
To those without hope- “I will give you hope.”
To all people-“I am with you.”

Dismissal

Jesus said “ the water I give, will become a Spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Go now, let the water of Christ spring up within you.
Let the water of the well flow from you,
Sharing the love, grace and acceptance seen in Christ Jesus.
Go in the presence of the Father who created you,
In the presence of Jesus who redeemed you,
In the presence of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within you.
Go in the presence of God who is faithful
AMEN

Call to worship based on John 4

Come to the well,
Drink from the well of living water
“Jesus says those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty. “
Come to worship,
To drink from the well.

“Come see a man who told me everything I’ve done.”
The woman at the well came to know that Jesus knew her as a person and accepted her.
Come to worship then,
To hear words of Jesus,
To know that you are known by God,
That you are accepted and loved by God.

“We no longer believe just because of what you have said: now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the saviour of the world.”
Come to worship,
Maybe because someone else has shown you something of Jesus.
Maybe because you know Jesus yourself.
Come to worship,
To know for yourself,
That Jesus loves you.
That today Jesus calls you by your name.

Come to worship for Jesus bids you.
Come and worship,
“Because God is Spirit, and those that worship God,
must worship God in Spirit and truth.”

Come let us worship God.

(Words in italics taken from John chapter 4)

Covenant Prayer

Recently we were invited to write our own version of the covenant prayer whilst on a Guy Chester Centre weekend, so thought I'd share it:


God I am your child,
I belong to you.
Give me the tasks that you would have me to do.
Place me with people to share life’s journey,
Help me to love and learn from others.
Let me work for you, for your purposes,
Let me rest with you
Let me walk wherever you lead.
May I hunger and thirst for truth, for righteousness.
Let me offer all that I can,
Let me receive as well as give.
Let me have questions,
Let me have knowledge.
Let me understand,
Let me have faith.
Let all that I m and all that I have be yours.
May it all be to your praise and glory.
Creator, redeemer, transformer.
You are my creator, I am created by you.
You are my redeemer, I am a child loved by you.
You offer new life and transform me.
I am transformed by your love and grace.
I am your child, you are my Father.

another week nearly done!

Well I haven't blogged for a few days! Time is going so fast and nearly another week done!
Lots continues to go on- had a good weekend at Guy Chester Centre then a family party! The party was a three course meal and was on the whole very good! All of our family were together apart from 3 members of the 4th generation! Was at home for morning worship on Sunday- a great service. Although a somewhat interesting passage to hear from the lectionary:! "Go from your country"- the call of Abram. Again posing the question- is this what God is calling me to do?! I think I am becoming more clearer on the matter. Then came back to London on Sunday night. Had supervision on Monday morning- was helpful and then had some friends from Cambridge visit in the afternoon. I also saw friends from Lancaster on Tuesday lunchtime and for quite a bit of the afternoon! Was good to catch up- but makes me realise how much I miss Lancaster.

This week some very interesting issues about free church chaplaincy in the Hospital. One of the key issues that has been raised this week has been the issue of ministry to the free church community of the hospital. My Anglican colleagues are high church- Mass is central to there Spirituality. Worship therefore is centred around the sacraments. I have got reserved sacrament that I can use for patients who would like Holy Communion during their stay. For some of the Free Church people who I see Communion is much more about fellowship and the Community to which they belong. So therefore they don't want Communion. So the challenge is what do you offer- what can you offer? Of course there are bedside prayers if requested by the Patient- but what about when they want something a bit more.
Yesterday I was asked what Free Church worship was on offer- the answer is none- I am the only member of the Chaplaincy team that is Free Church- at the hospital for one day a week. So I now have a challenge of creating something that can be used to offer something different to the Free Church patients who would appreciate some kind of substance. I am thinking some kind of reflections on the weeks readings that could be used as part of prayers at the Bedside. Think it'd be good to do and to have something to offer. So I'll post them onto my blogg when I do them!
So much else is happening and perhaps I may be able to blogg eventually on some of it. There are obviously boundaries of confidentiality with some of my work!

With regard to my last post I have been in Contact with the College principal- will hopefully be seeing them shortly. Any way am preaching on Sunday so need to get on with planning worship!

next year again!

Its been a busy few days but good! Yesterday I met with someone from Formation in Ministry who sorts out training! It was a really good meeting and I felt positive about it! Having realised last week that conversations had been happening about America without me really being aware I wanted to talk through all the options! Any way- the choices for next year have been narrowed down considerably at the moment. With only 3 full time training institutions in the UK and one of them having been ruled out- we are down to 2 real possibilities in the UK! So am waiting to hear from a College principal to go and talk further about training with that particular training institution! Although the final decision is not made till the 20th May when the training allocations panel meet.

Something I do really feel at the minute is I'd quite like some stability for a bit! Having been in Lancaster last year, London this and another next- the States would mean yet another and back to Cambridge! Then God willing another the following year when I am due to be stationed. I am not quite sure that I want all of my training to be in year blocks- which aren't actually years- september- may! I am not focussed here at present- am being distracted by next year! I thus feel it would help to be in one place for a couple of years to at least be focussed or a year before looking at stationing! However I haven't ruled out the states yet!

So its all go! Am off to Guy Chester Centre tommorow for one of our weekends there! Saturday's are quiet days! So I'm hoping for some space to pray and reflect about the decisions! Am home late on Saturday afternoon for a big family party on Saturday night! Then back to London on Sunday night! Time is going really quickly at the moment! I'm half way through my time here now!