Third Sunday of Lent Reading and Reflections Video Series with Pastor Karla Leiby
Pastor Karla Leiby from the Upper Susquehanna Synod reads from the Gospel of John, sharing the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. In this powerful encounter, Jesus looks past social barriers and personal histories to offer "living water" that becomes a spring gushing up to eternal life. From the woman's initial testimony to the community's own firsthand belief, this reading reminds us that Jesus meets us exactly where we are, inviting us to worship in spirit and truth.
In this reflection for the third Sunday in Lent, Pastor Karla Leiby shares the "mind-blowing" moment when Jesus reveals Himself to the Samaritan woman at the well. Even though He knew her past, Jesus chose to engage her in conversation and offer her the gift of living water. It is a powerful reminder that His grace and conversation are available to us all.
Pastor Karla Leiby reflects on the profound conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, where a simple need for physical water transforms into an invitation to receive something much deeper. While the woman initially questions how Jesus can offer "living water" without a bucket, he continues to draw her into a life-changing dialogue. This encounter reveals the gift of living water—a promise that we will never thirst again—which Jesus continues to offer each of us today through our baptism.
In this reflection on the Samaritan woman and Jesus' dialogue with his disciples, Pastor Karla Leiby explores the powerful agricultural analogy of the sower and the reaper. Jesus reminds us that we are all part of a larger team; sometimes we sow seeds for a harvest we will never see, and other times we reap the benefits of work started by someone else. While it's common to miss either the beginning or the end of a process, Pastor Karla emphasizes that the true miracle occurs in the time between sowing and harvesting—a space where God is always at work.
In this reflection on Jesus and the Samaritan woman, Pastor Karla Leiby reminds us that true worship isn’t defined by a physical location, specific rituals, or historic buildings. Jesus teaches that the details of worship matter far less than the state of our hearts. By stripping away the complications of tradition, we find that worship is simple: it is about approaching God with a true heart, true faith, and a spirit grounded in truth
In this reflection on the Samaritan woman at the well, Pastor Karla Leiby explores how one person's testimony can open the doors for an entire community to believe. While the neighbors first came to Jesus because of the woman’s words, their faith was truly solidified when they heard from Him directly. Pastor Karla challenges us to consider our own encounters with Christ, reminding us that while hearing others' stories is a powerful starting point, true belief comes from building our own personal relationship with Jesus.
In this reflection on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, Pastor Karla Leiby explores what it truly means to worship in spirit and truth. She reminds us that while we often find ourselves tied to specific rituals, traditions, and physical buildings, Jesus teaches that the location and details of our worship are not what matters most. Instead, true worship is simple: it is about approaching God with a true heart, sincere faith, and a spirit grounded in truth.