Sermon: Lenten Grace: Scandalous Love
This Lent invites us to acknowledge what grace we are seeking from God; and in our seeking, to actively practice that grace. In Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well we are invited to realize the deep challenge of God’s love and how it transforms our thinking, priorities, behaviour, indeed our faith itself as we learn of the scandalous nature of this love.

Music This Week
Our anthems this week draw a number of connections with today’s sermon on scandalous love.  The beautiful fugue-like middle section of Healey Willan’s sometime-harvest classic “I look and behold, a white cloud” sets an obscure verse from today’s gospel reading, within an episode Jesus has with his disciples following his famous encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.  Jesus replies to his friends’ entreaties to look after himself by trying to elevate them from consideration of earthly things, and pay attention to the enormity of the coming of the kingdom. Alike his efforts to raise the Samaritan woman from her life of marginality into the joy of his love, this gesture hints at the transcendent nature of a life within in God’s love. Likewise the two short verses of Psalm 51 set by Samuel Sebastian Wesley are a simple glimpse into the voice of the author King David, coming to grips with his own sin, and asking God’s help to move on. – CD

Daniel would like to express his deepest thanks for all the kind and prayerful words of support and healing these past two weeks since the accident. Everyone’s good wishes means a lot, and it is very much appreciated.

Donations for Easter flowers will be collected March 19 & 26.  After the service on Easter Sunday, they will be delivered to members who are not able to attend in person.

Messy Church: You are invited to Messy Church on Saturday, March 25 from 3:30 - 6:00 pm. This hands-on worship experience is for all ages. Join us for crafts, music, stories, games and dinner. All are welcome. Please RSVP to education@rpcc.ca by March 22, 2023.

On March 26 we will be welcoming new members into the Rosedale Church family: Maverick and Hunter Oldham and Jonathan Demson.

Movie Night is March 31 at 4 pm. Sign up sheets for copies of the movie and contributions to the potluck are in the Great Hall.

Coffee Hour Hosts RPC's "coffee hour" is important to building our community. If you are willing to serve coffee, tea and a few treats, there are sign up sheets in the Great Hall or you can contact the office (rpcoffice1@gmail.com) with dates you are available.

Bible Conversations on Monday, March 20 at 4:00 pm by Zoom. Our current topic of study is the Pentateuch. This group is an opportunity to discuss our faith in relation to the Bible and the history of the church. This programme will provide an opportunity to consider people’s questions or problems concerning the Bible or Christianity, as we try and understand the Bible in its cultural and historical context and how that may be translated into significant meaning for the 21st century. If you would like to participate in this group, please contact the Rev. Daniel Cho (rosedalerev@gmail.com). Bible Conversations will be cancelled on March 27.

Globe and Faith on Wednesday, March 22 at 10:30 a.m. Join us for a discussion of current events. Regular members of the group will automatically receive the information required to join the Zoom call. If you are not a regular attender, but would like to join in this week, please contact Gerry Kraay at gerrykraay@gmail.com From the Board of Managers There are various ways to support the work of our Church whether in the in building or worshipping at home. Here are some options to financially support the congregation:

• Place your offering in the plate passed by church. Please refrain from touching the plate.
• Put your offering envelope in a regular envelope and mail it to the church (129 Mount Pleasant Rd., Toronto, M4W 2S3)
• Sign up for pre-authorized remittances (PAR), which are charged to either a credit or debit account once a month. The attached form may be scanned and e-mailed to ncreen@rogers.com, or sent to the church by regular mail.
• Donate on-line, through the Canada Helps charitable organization through this link - https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/119123347RR0001-rosedale-presbyterian-church/ Canada Helps is a well-regarded organization which has been operating since 2000. It will issue tax receipts directly to donors.