Author: Ginnie

Gospel Reading
John 4. 5-42
So he 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.’

First Reading
Exodus 17. 1-7
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. 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?’

Bible Readings
Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ngs

Second Reading
Romans 5. 1-11
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.

#everydayfaith
#everydaybible
Set aside a regular bible reading time, however short.
More resources can be found at:
https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/ministry-for-mission/discipleship/everyday-faith

Collect for Today
Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy but ﬁrst he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was cruciﬁed:
mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,
may ﬁnd it none other than the way of life and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

What’s On

office.tpots@gmail.com

www.theparishofthreesaints.org.uk

Our Vision for the Parish of Three Saints
Our desire is to deepen our spiritual awareness and relationship with God so that we can serve our communities more effectively as His hands and feet, and also to develop our sacred spaces to make them welcoming, flexible and suited to the broad ranging needs of our communities.
(Taken from The Parish Profile 2018)

Important Guidelines about the Coronavirus and Church
While wishing to retain the important symbolism and sanctity of the Holy Sacrament, the church takes its responsibilities for health and safety for all very seriously. We do have many vulnerable people in our church family and local communities.
From now until further notice the Bishops have advised the following:
The Common Cup is suspended.
This means Communion will be given in ONE KIND ONLY (i.e. only the bread). The Priest will receive in both kinds on behalf of the congregation.
We will resort to WAFERS for the time being.
Note: INTINCTION (i.e. dipping the bread into the wine) is not a safe practice for several reasons and should not be practiced at any time, even if and when the cup is offered.
THE PEACE SHOULD BE OFFERED IN A NON-CONTACT WAY – a smile, a wave, the namaste greeting, an open-handed gesture of peace, or sign language – and of course verbal “Peace be with you” or similar. Please refrain from greeting people more closely before and after the service.
Those preparing or administering the Communion will exercise a high level of hygiene before the service, avoid face touching and sanitise hands before the preparation.
There will be NO COLLECTION TAKEN DURING THE SERVICE. A plate will be at the door when you enter. This will be offered at the usual time in the service. If you forget, please put your offering in afterwards or sign up for a regular Standing Order (ask the Wardens for a form).
If you are unwell and self-isolate or prefer not to come to worship during this time...
please let Revd Kevin Wright know (01278 760844) and he will pray with you on the phone himself or pass your number to a member of the Pastoral Team.
If you are aware of neighbours who are vulnerable and isolated...
and who may need help with supplies of shopping/medicines etc. please let Anthony Barkle know (Pastoral Care Team – 07701 081077) .

Annual Meeting of Parishioners and
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
Sunday 19th April after the 10am service in St Mary’s.
We will be looking for
At least one new Warden for St Mary’s (all the Wardens are elected year-by-year)
Some Assistant Wardens;
Up to eight PCC members;
A Deanery Synod Representative;
A Treasurer, assisted by a Stewardship Champion.
Please pray about these posts.
Can you serve the parish in any of these ways, helping to discern God’s will and direction?
Or do you have a suggestion of someone who has the skills and commitment to serve?
Revd Kevin Wright

Gluten-free wafers are available for communion. Please speak to a Steward or Churchwarden before the service.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all Creation; through your goodness we have this money to offer …….. to do your work in the world.
During our worship an offering will be collected. If you wish to join with our offering there is a yellow envelope nearby for your contribution or you can, of course, simply add your donation to the bag that will be passed along the pew during our offertory hymn. Many of our Church Family make a regular contribution to the running and work of the Parish by Standing Order. If this is something you would like to find out more about, please see one of the Stewards or a Churchwarden.

Prayer

Prayer

Prayer and Healing Ministry
As a Church Family, God calls us to “pray without ceasing” for one another and for our neighbourhood. With this in mind, a Calendar of Prayer covering the whole of The Parish Of Three Saints has been drawn up. Each Sunday we will be highlighting a particular road or street, plus an organisation or group of people in our Parish or Diocese and encouraging you to pray for them during the week. The Calendar of Prayer will also be available in the prayer corners of each of our church buildings.
This week please pray for….
Those living in East Ride and Brent Close, Brent Knoll.
The Post Offices and shops at Lympsham and Rooksbridge and the possible future of Brent Knoll village shop.
Don’t be afraid to ask for Prayer!
If you or a loved one are going through a difficult time and would like prayer, please contact our Prayer Group Co-ordinator Gwen Hatton 01934 750416. The Friday Prayer Group will support you in prayer for as long as you need and everything is absolutely confidential.
Alternatively, if you or a loved one would like to be included in this public prayer list in the Sunday Link and prayed for by the whole Church Family, please contact Carole in the Church Office 01278-769082 or Ginnie Soffe 01278-769117. Please ask for the person’s permission beforehand. Please continue to pray for Mervyn, Iona, Ben, Luke, David, Carole, Kathryn, Peter and Marcus.

Diary

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
15th March / 08.00 / St Mary’s / Service of the Word / 10.00 / St Mary’s / Holy Communion / (by extension) / 18.30 / St Michael’s / Evening Prayer	16th / 16.00-17.30 / Alzheimer’s and Dementia Carers Group / Brentcombe House, / East Brent	17th / 10.30 / Toddlers / Brent Knoll / Methodist Church	18th / 08.45 10.00 / Coffee Time St Mary’s	19th / 14.00 / Comfort Group / cancelled / 19.30 / All Sorts Choir / BK Methodist Church	20th / 10.30 / Prayer Group / 2 The Worthings	21st / 08.45 / The Rectory, / East Brent. / “Christ and the Chocolaterie” / Lent Course 3. / “Getting Wise ”
22nd March / 08.00 / St Michael’s / Holy Communion / 10.00 / St Michael’s / Mothering Sunday All Age Communion, with the Licensing of Revd Kevin Wright as Rector by the Archdeacon of Wells.	23rd	24th / 10.30 / Toddlers / Brent Knoll / Methodist Church	25th / 08.45 10.00 / Coffee Time St Mary’s	26th / 14.00 / Bereaved Friends Group / 19.30 / All Sorts Choir / BK Methodist Church	27th	28th / 08.45 / The Rectory, / East Brent. / “Christ and the Chocolaterie” / Lent Course 4. / “Getting Real ”
29th March / 10.00 / St Mary’s / Sung Eucharist	30th	31st / 10.30 / Toddlers / Brent Knoll / Methodist Church - Easter Celebration	1st April / 08.45 10.00 / Coffee Time St Mary’s	2nd / 19.30 / All Sorts Choir / BK Methodist Church	3rd	4th / 08.45 / The Rectory, / East Brent. / “Christ and the Chocolaterie” / Lent Course 5. / “Growing Up”

SAFEGUARDING: We take safeguarding very seriously. If you have any concerns for a child or a vulnerable adult please contact our parish Safeguarding Officer (a voluntary position) Kathy Quinnell (01278-760031) or contact the central diocesan team https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/diocese/safeguarding/rep

Contacts

Priest in Charge	Revd. Kevin Wright	priest.tpots@gmail.com	The Rectory, 3 Ash Trees, East Brent, Highbridge, TA9 4DQ	Tel: 01278 760844
Please Note that Friday is the “Vicar’s Day of Rest”. Thank you for your understanding.
Reader	Nikki Burns	reader.tpots@gmail.com		Tel: 01278 760860
Church Administrator	Mrs Carole Carter	office.tpots@gmail.com	Church Office, Church Road, East Brent, Somerset. TA9 4HZ	Tel: 01278 769082

For further contact information please see our parish website - www.theparishofthreesaints.org.uk

If you would like to submit anything for the Sunday Link please email it to Carole at office.tpots@gmail.com by Thursday. Please also send anything for The Parish of Three Saints website to the same address.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
Laurence Binyon 1914

The Five Marks of Mission
TELL = To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
TEACH = To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
TEND = To respond to human need by loving service
TRANSFORM = To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation
TREASURE = To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

Church Electoral Roll
There is to be a revision of the Church Electoral Roll commencing in March (only amendments/additions). This document will be published in April.

Christian Aid Update
Thank you so much for your very generous donations to Christian Aid Week back in May.
10,000 churches took part and an amazing £7.56 million was raised across the UK and Ireland through donations, activities and The Big Brekkie.
You will remember we showed a film about the appalling conditions in which mothers were giving birth in Sawula Village, Sierra Leone? One of the pregnant ladies from the film, Jebbeh, has now given birth safely to a healthy baby boy. Your money has gone to help build and equip a brand new health clinic, where Nurse Judith is now working. Your gifts have such an important impact in helping the poorest and most vulnerable communities in our world.
Thank you again for your support.

Ecumenical Lent Study Group
Based on St. Mark’s gospel
Every Monday afternoon in Lent
2.30pm-3.45pm, from March 2nd
In Brent Knoll Methodist Church
All welcome.

Parish Prayer
9.15 -9.45 am
Thursday 21st November
St Christopher’s
30 minutes of quietly being in God’s presence, listening to him and bringing before him the needs of our parish, nation and world.
Everyone is very welcome
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”
Romans 12. 12

We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, gay, confused, filthy rich, comfortable, or dirt poor.
We extend a special welcome to wailing babies and excited toddlers.
We welcome you whether you can sing like Pavarotti or just growl quietly to yourself. You're welcome here if you're 'just browsing,' just woken up or just got out of prison.
We don’t care if you're more Christian than the Archbishop of Canterbury, or haven't been to church since Christmas ten years ago.
We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast.
We welcome keep-fit mums, football dads, staring artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters.
We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted.
We welcome you if you're having problems, are down in the dumps or don't like 'organised religion.' (We're not that keen on it either!)
We offer a welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don't work, can't spell, or are here because granny is visiting and wanted to come to church.
We welcome those who are inked, pierced, both or neither.
We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down their throat as kids or got lost in the Somerset Countryside and wound up here by mistake.
We welcome pilgrims, tourists, seekers, doubters...
and you!

THE LISTENING PROJECT….
... is starting up again this autumn and you will all be receiving a letter or email in due course. We are a small team so please bear with us as we work our way down the electoral roll and through the church family. It might take us a while to get round to everyone.
This venture is all about listening to you - listening to what you value about church life, what you find helpful and what really doesn’t work for you. There are no wrong answers! We look forward to listening to you soon.
If you need any further information, or would like to join the team doing the listening, please speak to Anthony on 07701 081077

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure and lovely.
Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4. 8