Mar. 4, 2026
The Third Sunday in Lent focuses on repentance, God’s patience, and spiritual renewal, often highlighting the parable of the fig tree or the Samaritan woman at the well. It calls believers to move past superficial faith, embrace God’s “living water,” and bear fruit through a change of heart.
Key themes and reflections for this Sunday include:
- The Patient Gardener (Luke 13:1-9): Often reflected on in Year C, this parable shows God as a patient gardener who gives us another chance to repent and bear fruit rather than cutting us down.
- The Living Water (John 4): Often reflected on in Year A, the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman highlights Jesus as the source of “living water” that provides true, eternal fulfillment.
- A Call to Repentance: The readings emphasize that Lent is not just about giving things up but actively turning away from sin and toward God.
- “Spiritual Spring Cleaning”: It is a time to examine our lives, acknowledging our faults while relying on God’s mercy to heal and restore us.
- God’s Presence in the Wilderness: Similar to the Israelites in the desert, this Sunday highlights trusting in God even when we are tired or thirsty, confident that He is with us.
These reflections encourage a shift toward deeper, more meaningful faith, focusing on God’s unconditional love and the opportunity for personal transformation.
A Message from St. James Food Basket
Thank you for so diligently collecting egg cartons. We have once again reached storage capacity. We will let you know when we will need of more egg cartons.
Loonies for Lent
This year the Outreach Committee is asking you to set aside loonies and toonies or other monetary donations in order that we may send a large donation to the St James Food Basket. The money that we send will be used to purchase such basics as tuna, canned tomatoes and pasta which will be distributed to their client families.
Each year the number of people relying on food banks continues to grow and the current uncertain times are adding to this need. Outreach is asking our church family to send their monetary donations (loonies/toonies in containers, cash, cheques or e-transfers) to the church to support this initiative. Please mark your envelopes for “Loonies for Lent, Outreach” and include your name and envelope number. We would appreciate receiving your contribution by April 5 th .
A Winter Devotional Update (February 24):
A new edition of Our Daily Bread (March/April/May), as well as the current edition of These
Days (January/February/March) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
World Day of Prayer
You are invited to attend the World Day of Prayer meeting at Fellowship Reformed Christian Church on Friday, March 6, at 1:30 PM. The theme is, “I Will Give You Rest” and the host country for whom we will be praying is Nigeria.
Laptops and Tablets Needed
After researching and consulting with the elders of the First Presbyterian Church of Antigua, which
Rachael and Pastor Eric visited last March, the mission committee has decided to purchase a laptop
and 6-8 months of Wi-Fi for the students of the church, where it will be kept and shared so students
can become familiar with this technology.
If you have a laptop or tablet that is in good condition that you’d like to donate, please contact
Rachael before mid-March.
The Presbytery of West Toronto team will be bringing the laptop to the church during March break.
Lenten Candle Liturgy Readers
Mar. 8 – Lynne & Al
Mar. 15 – Iris L. & Carol H.
Mar. 22 – Kathy & Bob
Mar. 29 – Harry & Pat
Thank you to the above volunteers. If you have a scheduling conflict. Please let Susan know as soon as
possible.
Coffee Sign-Up
It is that time of year again when we are looking for volunteers to serve coffee and tea after worship. The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Adamson Lounge.
Mar. 7 – Rachael
Mar. 15 – Carol & Iris
Mar. 22 – Paul & Nancy
Mar. 29 – ???
April – Outreach Team
Thank you to all of you who have given so willingly of your time and efforts. We appreciate you!!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Tuesdays @ 11:00 AM – Walking Group – All are welcome
- Thursdays @ 2:00 PM – Worship service at Centennial Park Place
- Thursday, Mar. 5 @ 9:30 AM – Sing! Etobicoke @ NPCC
- Friday, Mar. 6 @ 1:30 PM – World Day of Prayer at Fellowship Christian Reformed Church
- Sunday, Mar. 8 @ 11:30 AM – Annual General Meeting
- Tuesday, Mar. 24 @ 12:00 noon – Lenten Lunch followed by a Lenten Prayer Hour
- Thursday, Apr. 2 @ 2:00 – 4::00 PM – Stations of the Cross in the sanctuary
- Friday, Apr. 3 @ 9:30 AM – Hot Cross Buns served before Good Friday service
How Much Does a Prayer Weigh?
Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She
approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few
groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work. They had seven children, and they needed food.
John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store. Visualizing the family
needs, she said: “Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.” John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.
Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.
The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, “Do you have a grocery list?” Louise replied, “Yes sir.” “Okay” he said, “put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.”
Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head. Then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.
The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scale went down and stayed down.
The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, “I can’t believe it.” The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales.
The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust.
Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list. It was instead a prayer which said: “Dear Lord, you know my needs, and I am leaving this in your hands.”
The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said, “It was worth every penny of it.”
It was sometime later that the grocer discovered the scales were broken; therefore, only God knows how
much a prayer weighs.
- Author Unknown –
Kids Say the Funniest Things
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like
sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. – Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with. – Kirsten, age 10
WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. – Lynnette, age 8
On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. – Martin, age 10