13 March
Dear Friends,
Last Monday March 8th, was International Women's Day and an opportunity for Christians to consider women in the Bible (whose stories too often are not known), and Christian women through the centuries who have made an impact. On Wednesday evening we had our usual Bible Study and we were looking at the 3rd chapter of John's Gospel, from which our reading this Sunday is taken. It's the story of a man called Nicodemus, a Pharisee and therefore a religious expert, who comes to Jesus at night. We were considering the significance of his coming at night: in John's Gospel darkness is the condition of the world which does not know or recognise Christ. Jesus speaks to Nicodemus in metaphor and poetry - of being 'born again' - and Nicodemus doesn't understand what he is saying. He remains 'in the dark'. In the next chapter, however, John 4, Jesus comes to a Samaritan woman - someone despised by the Jews - who might be considered a sinner on account of certain things in her life. Jesus speaks to her too in metaphor and poetry, of water and thirst and drinking. At first she doesn't understandJesus either but they have a much fuller conversation at the end of which Jesus reveals to her that he is the Messiah. She then runs off to become the first missionary, telling her city about Jesus. Significantly, we are told that all this took place at noon: in other words at the brightest part of the day. Nicodemus, the male 'religious expert' is in the dark. The (nameless) woman, the Samaritan 'sinner' is in the light. Hers is a good story to be told in this week of the International Women's Day!
One other thing: this weekend the International Presbytery of which we are a part meets on Zoom, including representatives of Church of Scotland churches all over the world. You might remember it in your prayers - this is a very challenging time for the Church of Scotland.
Every blessing to you. Keep safe and keep well.
Lance
THIS WEEK:
Sunday, 10.30 hrs
Live-streamed service. You can access the live-stream just before 10.30 am directly via this link: https://youtu.be/ixvd4BHNnck.
Below that you will also see other activities going on during the week.
Our reading for this Sunday, for the fourth Sunday in Lent, is John 3:13-21, containing John 3:16, perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible!
Sunday, 21.00 hrs
Compline (short evening prayers); join via Zoom.
Tuesday, 08.45 hrs
Psalm Reciting (this week Psalms 110-118). We will not meet at the church for this, but you might like to participate from your from our home at 8.45 or some other time.
Wednesday, 19.30 hrs
Bible Study, looking at John 12:20-33. All welcome. Join via Zoom.
Thursday, 21.00hrs
Compline (short evening prayers); join via Zoom.
Prayer:
In this time there may be people who feel especially in need of prayer either for themselves or for someone else. There is a small group of people in the congregation who take it in turns on Sundays to be available after the service to pray for anyone in need - so, if you would like prayer or have a a particular prayer request please contact Margaret Richards on margaretanne_richards@hotmail.com and she and the others will pray accordingly.
A word about finance….
Please note that in this period when we are not meeting together there is a way of giving to the church on the website, https://www.erc.amsterdam.
God bless you all and keep us united as a church family – and safe and well.
Lance