Worship Reflections from March 2026
29 March Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday | The two parades MUC@10, 29 March 2026 Alison Sampson, reflecting on Matthew 21:1-11 In many churches around the world, today’s story will be called ‘The Triumphal Entry’, and it will be told with great pomp and dignity. Perhaps you’ve been at one of these services. The choir slowly processes down the aisle, solemnly singing, then priests wearing exquisite garments follow behind as acolytes waft incense everywhere. The church is aflutter with beautiful banners; and a pipe organ…
22 March Lent 5
Ezekiel | Preach to the bones Fellowship@10, 22 March 2026 Alison Sampson, reflecting on Ezekiel 37:1-14 How do you imagine the bones? Do you think of the news reports? The broken bones of young children at an elementary school in Iran, torn apart by a US missile. The bullet-riddled bones in Mexico’s streets left by paramilitary forces and drug cartels. The blood-stained bones in El Fasher; the bomb-shattered splinters in Ukraine; the charred fragments in Gaza. The bones of Rwanda,…
15 March Lent 4
Transformation: The heart of our faith Fellowship@10, 15 March 2026 Alison Sampson, reflecting on John 9:1-41 The crowd was in uproar. ‘It’s him,’ some said. ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ said others. ‘It’s just someone like him.’ ‘I’m still me,’ she said, ‘and this is what happened.’ But nobody was listening. Instead, the religiously righteous weighed in. ‘He changed at church, but it’s totally against God’s law,’ said some. But others wondered; and so they were divided. Some in the crowd were…
8 March
Boy meets girl at well: Two readings Fellowship@10, 8 March 2026 Alison Sampson, reflecting on John 4:1-42 No doubt you’ve heard a sermon on this broad before. Short skirt, red lipstick, and way too many boyfriends: how gracious of Jesus to speak with her! What a mensch! And what a miracle that the townsfolk turned to him despite her vague and wishy-washy testimony. Isn’t God amazing?! At least, I’ve read those commentaries and I’ve heard those sermons. And if this…
1 March
Living in eternity Fellowship@10, 1 March 2026 Alison Sampson, reflecting on John 3:1-17 ‘How can anyone be born after growing old?’ asks Nicodemus. ‘Can someone enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ I’m someone who has given birth three times, and my children are now all bigger than me. The idea of shoving one of them back in is so grotesque, I suspect Nicodemus is playing for a laugh. Either that, or he’s a fool. Because…