Message from our Locum – Joan Kilpatrick – Feb 2016
Dear Friends
We seem to be moving along at quick at a pace this year mainly due to the fact that Easter is very early, by the time you read this Lent will almost be upon us – Shrove Tuesday on the 9th and Ash Wednesday on the 10th!
Our Lenten Bible Study will begin on Sunday, 14th with a film called The Way starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez also wrote and directed, the principal character (a father played by Sheen) walked the Way of St. James learns that his son has died on the route and takes up the pilgrimage in order to complete it for his son, we will watch the film on the first week then follow the study book which is entitled The Long Road to Heaven. It’s a powerful story of love, forgiveness, acceptance and letting go. If you would like to join us please let me know so we can order the books.
Lent is a time when we follow Jesus as He prepares to face the Cross. It’s not an easy for Him or the disciples as they begin to understand why Jesus has come and where it’s leading Him. It often give us an opportunity to look at our own lives in light of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. Perhaps there are things we need forgiveness for, or need to forgive others.
At our last Healing Service we heard about how crippling it can be if we don’t forgive or allow forgiveness into our lives, it can affect our physical health as well as our spiritual health. It can be a barrier to Jesus’ love and compassion for each and every one of us, so we need to be courageous and come before Him and hand ourselves over to Him. It’s really important we understand that His greatest desire is for us to recognise the sacrifice He made to SET US FREE! He’s only too delighted when we turn to Him for help, help which will renew our well-being, refresh our spirit and bring peace into our lives.
Prayer is such an amazing gift! With that in mind, Linda Philip, our prayer co-ordinator, is launching the trypraying initiative which is for those who don’t come to church, but it gives us an opportunity to read the 7-day devotional and pass it onto we might know who doesn’t go to church. There is a Lenten Devotional as well which Linda can order if you are interested. Their website is: www.trypraying.org where there is more information.
However you spend this time of Lent I’d like to leave you with a prayer which, I personally, find helpful:
Jesus our Saviour – Take the long list of sin
Take our rubbish – that warps our being
The greed indulged – and weave Your forgiving love
The broken promises – that makes of waste
Anger and resentments – A growing place. Amen.
God bless you through this time of Lent, may He become a place of hope and peace.
Love and Blessings
Joan