Sacred Space
Dear Friends
Greetings in Jesus name.
May you all have a blessed month of February in which the season of Lent begins this year!
Whenever I reflect on the season of Lent, I thank God for the Church calendar for it always alerts us to plan ahead for giving special time for fasting, prayer, and alms-giving which all make us prioritise time to have special spaces to connect with the Lord.
It reminds us of Jesus’ prayerful ministry. All Gospel writers explicitly mention how Jesus’ prioritised his time to pray. Matthew (14:23), Mark (6:46-47), Luke (6:12) and John (6:15).
During this month. we also have our Youth Participatory Service which is on 25th February during our Central worship at Rivercourt Methodist Church. Please encourage and invite young people to participate in this Service.
As usual, we begin this year’s Lenten journey with Rivercourt Methodist Church Congregation on Ash Wednesday, 14 February at 8 pm at Hammersmith. On that day, we will have Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes. This service will remind us that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Undoubtedly this Service will encourage each one of us to see the real meaning of our own lives and to give priority to fulfilling God’s plan in our lives. Please begin the Lenten journey by participating in this Service and bring your friends and families too. Tamil-speaking people who attend this Service will sing a special song too.
In our own lives, we all give priority to our daily works but the season of Lent inspires us to give priority to growing in our spiritual journey. So, I request you to consider this season as a golden opportunity to grow in our spiritual life with sincerity and determination to connect to the Lord with our hearts as well as minds. During this season on Saturdays, we read and reflect together via Zoom the Bible passages on the theme: ‘Questions Jesus asked’. The 5 Lenten Bible Studies will enable us to understand Jesus’ perception in reaching out to those who approached Him during His ministry, to uplift their spiritual life.
May this season of Lent open our eyes to learn the priorities in Jesus’ life and so enrich our relationship with Him and others.
With blessing
Revd Jessie Anand, Minister, LTCC 1st February 2024