March 3, 2026
Lessons for Lent 3; March 8, 2026
• Exodus 17: 1-7
• Psalm 95
• Romans 5: 1-11
• John 4: 5-42
JESUS AND THE WOMAN AT THE WELL
During this year’s Lenten season, we listen in on dialogues Jesus has with a variety of people in the Gospel of John.
This week is quite a contrast to last week’s conversation with Nicodemus. Jesus is talking with a Samaritan woman. The contrasts include:
• She is a woman. It was not normal for a man to talk in those days to a woman openly, alone. When the disciples return to see Jesus speaking to this woman, they are astonished, afraid to even ask why he is talking with her.
• She is a Samaritan, a far cry from Nicodemus who is a leader of the Jews. Most Jews would have take a route around Samaria rather than going through it.
• She is certainly not as moral as Nicodemus. She has had five husbands and is living with a man who is not her husband.
• Nicodemus comes at night to meet Jesus. She comes at noon and not to meet Jesus. She comes to draw water from a well. Jesus is sitting there weary from the journey. It is the hottest part of the day at noon. Why does she come at this time? Why does she come alone? Why does she not link in with some others going to the well? Is she an outsider, due to her many marriages?
Jesus is breaking through all the socially acceptable divides of his day and he will continue to do that as we listen in on other conversations in John’s Gospel.
Jesus starts the conversation by asking for a drink of water. A good way to start a conversation with a stranger is to ask for a favor. She has a bucket. He does not. Jesus goes on to offer her “Living Water”. Living water which runs and flows and which is the grace of God in motion. She will be caught up in the stream. As Paul writes in Galatians 3:27-28, the waters of baptism bring equality among people: Jews and Samaritans, men and women. It will reach her heart.
Jesus’ Living Water will quench her deepest thirst. “Everyone who drinks that water will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give will become in them a spring to water gushing up to
eternal life.” (4:14). She does not quite understand. She would like a water delivery program so she will not have to come to draw water there anymore. Carrying water is hard work and still is necessary in various parts of the world. Anyone who has lugged a bunch of water bottles around can sympathize. Being relieved of this burden would be a blessing. The ELCA is working to bring living water to communities through the digging of wells and the providing of pumps. Giving a cup of cold water to even the least is not without reward, but Jesus wants to provide something even more beneficial this woman. He wants her to experience living faith. Her many marriages point to a restless soul, searching for a place to call home. When Jesus mentions her many husbands, she pivots the conversation away from her and to past religious practices. Jesus wants her to taste the living and flowing water, that he offers. Jesus declares that he is the Messiah that is coming. The God of the universe has reached out to her. In joyful response she goes back to her town witnessing to the water of Grace she has tasted. The townspeople come out to Jesus because of her testimony, and he stays with them for two days. They say: “It is no longer because of she said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” (4:42) For Jesus this is a truly satisfying experience. The disciples had brought back food for him. He does not need it. “My food is to do the will of him who sent me”. (4:34)
One of the most beautiful aspects of ministry is seeing people experience the Living Water of God Love for them. They may have wandered through many varied relationships and spiritual
journeys, finally finding in Jesus a way to quench their thirst. It is even more joyful when you see them share that discovery with others.
PRAYER:
Blessed Jesus, thank you for sitting down with us and offering us living water to satisfy the spiritual longing in our heart. We may at times find ourselves alone in the noon day heat. Help
us to drink your Living Water. In the Middle East bombs are falling. May the innocent find shelter and may new paths to Peace and Justice be found.
Grace and Peace, Pastor John Bunge
Hello April, calligraphy letters motivational quote, isolated on white background, vector illustration. Handwritten letters, Japanese sakura branch, little cute flowers falling.
Lenten Souper Bible Studies Wednesdays @ 5:00 pm. February 25 – March 25. This week we look at the parables of Jesus. Thanks to all who signed up to bring soup. Hosts for the
evening are to set up (coffee, drinks, silverware, bowls, etc), those attending with join in cleaning up.
Good Friday service will be on April 3, at 7:00 p.m.
Please remember flowers for the outdoor cross for Easter, April 5.
Pastor Bunge is in the office Mondays and Tuesdays and Wednesday nights.
Offerings Thanks for all your support. If you need envelopes for offering, they are available in the narthex.
We worked on the sound for the streaming; it is much improved but Closed Captioning does not seem to be an option.
Kyle for working on the drainage by the sacristy door and front and working on the walls of the sacristy. He also added metal strips by the oven in the Fireside room.
Lou repaired wood vents by the front of the sanctuary and fixed the toilet in the women’s bathroom and the doorknob in the preschool. You guys are Great.
Connie will be doing the touch-up painting in our updated kitchen.
Pantry – We were blessed with two vans loads of cereal so we have a great supply of cereal but can use macaroni and cheese and soups of any kind. Also, we need sacks–
plastic with handles if still get from some stores and the paper bags. Next pantries, March 7 and 21.
QUILTING – Over 250 prayer quilts have been made and blessed on Feb 15. 4 quilts so far this year for Lutheran World Relief. 4 for our San Bernardino Wellness Center have been
completed.
Thanks to all who continue to give shoes for Soles 4 Souls. The box was full and so was taken for its good use. The box is still in the Narthex for continued donations. Thanks to David Strack for coordinating. Thanks to Holly from Family Assistance Center in Yucaipa for making donations as well.
• It is fantastic to see Jan Wheeler is back in church with us.
• Bob Jensen was back as well. Together with his urologist, he is moving forward on what procedure would best deal with the sist on his kidney.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• Bonnie Strack had surgery to relieve back pain on Monday and is home recovering. Her daughter Laura has been a wonderful blessing. We continue to pray for her full
recovery and for her son Brendan Simms, who has suffered years from a series of strokes.
• Scott Hemre would appreciate prayers for his brother, Jim, who fell.
• Maria Baker is facing back pain from a previous car accident.
• Heather Lewis’s mother Rosalind Lara’s recovery has been slow. She is still at Arrowhead Springs Healthcare but had a smile on her face on Monday.
• Barbara Kuerzinger’s son, Ian, who was fortunate to have his colon cancer discovered early but is facing radiation and chemotherapy.
• Lauren Shaffer’s surgery has not happened yet. They are still working on the swelling in her right leg.
• Jeanne Koening’s surgery was also postponed.
• Michael Shea has continuing health issues and would also appreciate prayers for his and Ann’s son, Andrew and for son, Steve.
• Eloise still has some double vision. Parkinsons is acting up.
• Bonnie Hallberg’s clot in her hip was determined to be stable so they can move forward with her shoulder surgery but are awaiting appointments for now.
• Nelson Hall continues to have health concerns. They are checking on his heart function with a new monitor, and he is having other tests as well.
• Kim Guevara appreciates your prayers for granddaughter, Kayla, who is now living with her father, their son, Kyle. Nice to have her cousin Brian visiting on Sunday.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier who, due to her eyesight, is no longer able to drive. Nice to have her neighbor Elaine Risso back with us in worship.
FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH
SMALL PRAYER QUILTS – Thank you to Pastor John for blessing the prayer quilts. Thanks to Barbara for the idea, and
Emily, Dana, Dona, Linda D, Connie B. for helping to make them. They are available for you to pick up in the Narthex. Please help yourself as we have made plenty. They are meant as an outreach to all.
A Professor from the Chaplaincy group at the University of Redlands had seen them at the Arrowhead Springs Healthcare and inquired he could also use them for their ministry.
NOTE on MAILING THE PRAYER QUILTS – THEY REQUIRE $1.27 if you put only a card and quilt in a regular sized envelope. YOU CAN PURCHASE A $1.27 STAMP AT THE POST OFFICE AND MARK THE ENVELOPE HAND CANCEL TO AVOID DELAY.
(you can also put 2 first class stamps on the envelope or put any combination of stamps you may have to total $1.27.)
PRAYER BLANKETS/SHAWLS- to blanket and surround people in love and prayers.
Thanks to Karen’s idea, we will also be providing PRAYER BLANKETS/SHAWLS to those who are mostly homebound and people who have received a challenging medical
diagnosis.
Thanks to Karen for crocheting a beautiful variegated blue one. Thanks to Sharon & Steve Cady for their willingness to provide an action team to help with this. Thanks to
Chris Ladd for donating, one made by her mother, and to Irm who is also willing to crochet some. Each will have a label sewn on them from Faith.
We will be blessing them as part of the Worship Service on March 22.
HANDMADE CARDS – We still mail about 37 BIRTHDAY CARDS AND ANNIVERSARY CARDS AND CARDS TO THOSE ON THE PRAYER LIST monthly. And we will provide
CARDS IN THE NARTHEX for members to mail. We will include Monthly Seasonal cards and generic Thinking of You cards (can be sent for Thank you or Get Well.)
Thank you to our watercolor color class that meets on the 1st Sunday – Holly, Kim, Alec, Sharon, Barbara, Pat T., Connie for their fabulous heart creations.
These cards will accompany prayer quilts to be mailed to the prayer list. Thanks to Linda D. for her marvelous fabric creations.
WATERCOLOR CLASSES WILL BE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. WE’LL PAINT CARDS FOR THE MONTH.
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS –Karen, Connie B., Sharon C., and Carol Hamre continue to paint prayer/friendship rocks for you to keep, give to someone,
surprise someone, or put in your garden, etc. Rocks are available in the Narthex, Chapel and Fireside Room for members, friends and the AA, NA, Al-anon, pantry etc. groups.
SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP HOUR
FEBRUARY – CELEBRATING LOVE
1 Thank you to Karen for providing fabulous cookies!
8 WELCA
15 HAPPY St. Patrick’s Day – Thanks to Kim & Connie for providing lasagna, salad, bread and dessert.
22 POTLUCK – It’s Spring Celebration – Please sign up in NARTHEX to bring a Salad or bread.
29 PALM SUNDAY – WAFFLES – Thank you to Richard & Jenny!
4 EASTER Sunday – bring flowers for the outdoor cross
Treats in the Narthex
NEEDS LIST & THANK YOUs
o Any monetary donations can be given through the offering, marked Fellowship
o Stamps can be left at the office marked card ministry.
o Always any Bingo Prizes are welcome
o Thanks to Pat T. for the Bingo prizes!
