Transformation

​This weeks gospel story is a story of deep transformation, a simple exchange at a well becomes the transformation of a whole community.

Opening Prayers
Look at your feet.
Notice the scraps and marks on your shoes or slippers, or if your feet are bare notice the lines and wrinkles. Wriggle your toes and notice how that feels.
Look at the ground your feet are on. Is it a carpet? Or wood? Laminate or something
else?
Do you feel grounded and connected? Or a bit rushed and flustered and cut off?

[Pause].
​
When you are ready, offer this time of worship to God, you might like to say these words out loud:

“Creator God, thank you that my feet are on holy ground. As I sit here I choose to offer the time to you. I long to meet with you on this holy, ordinary ground.”
Amen.

StF 36 – There’s a Quiet Understanding

​StF 51 – Great is Thy faithfulness, O God My Father

Reading – John 4: 5 - 42

​StF 338 – There is a Redeemer

Response to the reading
This gospel story is a story of deep transformation, a simple exchange at a well becomes the transformation of a whole community and deep learning for those who follow Jesus: there are no outsiders. None of us are outside God’s love, however shady our past. God will sit with us at the well, knowing all we are and offering us eternal life, a drink from the deep spring of God’s love. And all we are expected to do is share that joy with others – just as the Samaritan woman did with those around her.

If we are tempted to draw the circle small or find ourselves avoiding certain people, then, like Jesus, our challenge is to take a different route and place ourselves in spaces with people we may not encounter. For it is in those moments of encounter we truly experience the Other and learn of the depth of humanity and all that God is and in that we learn to draw the circle wider. For as we do, we open up the possibilities of transformation as we build bridges and discover the love of God in the midst of mutual encounter.

- Take a moment to imagine yourself at the well with Jesus, how might the
conversation go?

- Are there people you avoid who you might spend some time with?
​
- How might God speak to you of grace in that experience?

StF 556 - Just as I am, without one plea

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever.
Amen​

StF 345 – And Can it Be That I Should Gain

Blessing
I have come to meet with you at the well, Jesus the Christ.
As I head back into my day, my week, my life, may I be transformed by this moment of encounter.
I have come into the presence of love, and grace and hope, inspire me to share these divine qualities with the world, by your Spirit, Lord God.
Embolden my actions, Lord, in Jesus’ name
Amen.

Reflection on the reading and Blessing from The Vine at Home is compiled and produced by twelvebaskets