Dear Friends
Greetings in Jesus’ name.
For almost everyone, the past 11 months have been months of living with anxieties and mixed emotional feelings during the lockdowns. But, by the grace of God, we are managing our daily lives and following the various COVID-19 measures given by the Government. Most importantly, we hold on to our hope and faith in Christ to see the recovery of the normal life.
This month, we will enter the Lent season of 2021. Lent is about our journey with Jesus towards Easter. We remember that our Lord was taken into the wilderness after He was baptised in the Jordan River. Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, and He fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness. Jesus accepted His wilderness and His experience encourages us to be enriched in our faith.
This Lent season, in the year 2021 particularly, gives us lots of opportunities to reflect on our faith journey as we go through this pandemic daily. This year, six Lent studies will be led every Saturday and focus on Jesus’ healing ministry. Reflection on different perceptions from Jesus’ healing ministries will help us to grow in our faith. The first Study will commence on Saturday, 20th February at 7:00 pm. Further details to follow on this.
To begin our Lenten journey, a joint Worship is being organised with Rivercourt Methodist Church in Hammersmith on 17th February at 8:00 pm. Please join this Service with your families.
From the book of Acts, 3rd chapter, we read the faith sharing of the Apostles Peter and John. They went to the temple at the time of prayer. They found a lame beggar who was asking them for money. But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” The days which we are passing through help us to reflect on the name of the Lord and His wondrous deeds, to praise Him alone, and to share with others in praising His name in our lives.
Isaiah was a prophet during a time when the Israelites were in Babylonian captivity. He prophesised and gave Hope to Israelites on God’s power in the wilderness,
“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
These verses of encouragement to people in their own captivities need to be remembered by us in our present global situation. It will increase how we understand the faithfulness of God more meaningfully regardless of our situation.
Whatever situations we go through, I wish and pray that we can calm down and carry on with our faith to see the light at the end of the tunnel to glorify His name.
Have a blessed month !
With blessings
Porthahar Amma 7th February 2021