“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour”
(Isaiah 43:1-3a)
I am writing to you during this time of Holy Week facing the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic specially to assure you that you are in my thoughts and prayers. It is with no doubt that we are living in challenging times, but we should see this as an opportunity to have an ever-deeper faith and trust in the Lord. In these days of Holy Week, we unite ourselves more earnestly to the sufferings of the Lord on the Cross and wait with him for the glorious day of the Resurrection and new life.
At this time of Holy Week, we normally look forward to participating in the events of our Lord’s death and resurrection beginning with Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday. Sadly, this year we are unable to do so. Instead we unite ourselves spiritually with the whole Church in our homes. At least we still do so in several ways. There are some resources from the Connexional, District, Circuit and Bell Road Methodist church website to help you do this. Thanks to modern technology as we are able to keep in touch with one another.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all those who are doing so much to support our local communities and the nation at large. I want to thank especially our NHS staff and all those who have care of the sick. You are doing a splendid job and we are all deeply grateful to you. Although we are more physically separated at this time, yet we are united through our faith in the Lord and in solidarity with our brothers and sisters throughout the world who are suffering with us and sometimes in a worse situation.
Her Majesty the Queen offered a message of hope in her special address to the nation recently: “Better days will return, “Queen Elizabeth II said, echoing the beloved World War II-era song “We’ll Meet Again” that offered hope to many on the front lines. “We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”
May we too find hope in Christ who is with us in all the trials of our life.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, betrayal and abandonment is a very hard thing to experience, a feeling most of us can relate to as we have and continue to experience. It is comforting to know that you felt the same throughout your ministry here on earth more so in this week as you journey towards Jerusalem when those you trusted abandoned you when you needed them most. We are most comforted by your promise that you will never abandon us and for that reason we entrust ourselves to you. Amen.
Your Friend & Minister,
Revd. Adam Nyawo