A Moment for Mission
A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” Jesus replied, “If you recognized God’s gift, and who it is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would be asking him, and he would give you living water. Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks from the water that I will give will never be thirsty again.” The woman put down her water jar and went into the city. Many Samaritans in that city believed in Jesus because of the woman’s word. John 4:5-42, — CEB (selected verses)
Jesus sits by a well in Samaria, tired and thirsty, when a woman comes to draw water. What follows is one of the longest recorded conversations Jesus has with anyone in the Gospels—and it is with a woman many others would have ignored. Jesus speaks with her openly, listens deeply, and tells her the truth about herself and about God. He offers her “living water,” a gift that restores, renews, and gives life.
In this moment, Jesus breaks barriers of gender, culture, and expectation. He sees the woman fully—not as someone to avoid, but as someone worthy of attention, dignity, and grace. When she realizes who Jesus is, she leaves her water jar behind and tells others. Her story becomes a testimony that leads many to believe.
This story helps us understand why Women’s Ministry Sunday matters in The United Methodist Church. From the beginning, Jesus entrusted women with good news and meaningful ministry. Today, Women’s Ministry Sunday lifts up the ways women are nurtured in faith, equipped for leadership, and empowered to share Christ’s love in their communities.
Many people may not realize how The United Methodist Church works, but at its core is a covenant to walk together. This special Sunday lifts up and recognizes the vital role of women in the life of the Church. It raises awareness and supports programs that invest in women’s spiritual growth, leadership development, and ministry across the Church.
March 8 is International Women’s Day, a time when many pause to recognize the contributions, resilience, and leadership of women. That observance echoes the truth we see at the well: women matter deeply in God’s story. Jesus did not silence the Samaritan woman—he sent her. Her voice carried the message of Christ into her community.
Every story shared through Women’s Ministry Sunday tells of faith at work. Each story can begin with the impact we choose to make through our prayers, our voices, and our actions. Like the woman at the well, we may not know how far that story will travel, but when offered in faith, God uses it to bring others to Christ.
Jesus still meets people where they are, offers living water, and invites us into his work—together.
Reflection Question:
Where might Jesus be inviting you this week to share your story so others may come to know him?
Children’s Message
Title: Jesus Talks to Everyone
Materials: A small cup or bottle of water and a paper heart
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you today. I brought some water for our time together. We are going to talk about living water. First, let me ask you a question. What happens when you are thirsty? (Pause.) Yes—you need a drink!
In today’s Bible story, Jesus met a woman at a well. Now some of you may not know about a well and how it is used. Wells are places where all people used to go to get water. In some locations, people still use wells to get water to drink. But it isn’t easy to get because you must use a rope and a bucket to get it. It is nothing like how easy it is for us today to just get it in our kitchen sink, from a water fountain or open a bottle of water.
While Jesus was sitting near the well, a woman came to get water, and he asked the woman to give him a drink. This surprised her because most people didn’t talk to her and they were mean to her. Jesus talking to her made her feel loved and that made her happy. Then Jesus told her something special. He said he could give her living water—water that fills your heart with God’s love.
This Bible story is important because it shows us how Jesus treated people, even those that others don’t like. Jesus loves everyone, and Jesus wants everyone to know they matter.
Do you know what happened to that woman after Jesus talked to her? She was so excited that she ran to tell others about Jesus. Her story helped many people believe in Jesus. In fact, she was the first person to share the good news that Jesus was the Messiah who had come to save us.
Today we celebrate all the women in our church and the good things they do for our church. We will hear stories about them, celebrate what they do and share how important their work is in each of our lives. Just like the woman at the well, they share the love of Jesus with everyone in the work that they do. We call this special day Women’s Ministry Sunday.
Can you help me celebrate them by standing up and telling the women in the church thank you? Also, lets try this week to tell someone thank you that you normally don’t talk to so they can feel the love of Jesus too.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for loving everyone. Thank you for caring about women, men, girls, and boys. Help us see and celebrate the ways people share your love. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Loving Christ, You met the woman at the well with compassion and truth, and you invited her into your story of grace. As we celebrate Women’s Ministry Sunday, help us recognize and honor the ways women share your love and witness. May our prayers, words, and attention strengthen the faith, leadership, and ministry of women across The United Methodist Church. Use these stories of faith and courage to inspire us and draw others to you. Allow our gifts to support new ministries in our church and community. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
Steadfast God of Hope, you have called us to rejoice—not in ease or achievement—but in the grace that sustains us through suffering, the love that meets us in struggle, and the hope that does not disappoint. You pour your Spirit into our hearts, shaping us into a people who give not out of obligation, but out of gratitude. As we bring these gifts, may they testify to your presence among us and to the promise of reconciliation you offer the world through Christ. Make us bold in our sharing, joyful in our worship, and confident in your grace. In the name of the one who died for us and lives within us, we pray. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
In John 4, Jesus meets a woman at the well and entrusts her with good news that leads others to faith. Women’s Ministry Sunday celebrates this calling by lifting up women in ministry, nurturing their faith, and recognizing their leadership across The United Methodist Church. This special day encourages awareness and reflection, reminding us of the ways God works through women to share Christ’s love. Each story of faith has the power to inspire many.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate Women’s Ministry Sunday and honor the women God is using to bless our Church.