Dear Friends,
[Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time] Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” (Matthew 20: 17-19)
Jesus began His difficult last week on earth, the Holy week of Easter.
They say a week is a long time in politics. In the world in which we live an hour is a long time. The corona virus pandemic is a fast-moving phenomenon and our news coverage is 24/7. That coverage, especially the publishing of infection and death rates can be distressing and anxiety-inducing. While it is important for us to stay abreast of developments and particularly to take note of government and health guidelines as they are published we, the church, need to stay connected in other ways – to the Lord and to one another in fellowship. We are reminded by the writer to the Hebrews of the call we have each received to persevere in our faith – in Christ:
(Hebrews 10: 19-25)
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Although we may not be able to meet for worship in conventional ways there are many new ways of being encouraged and meeting together, some of which are noted below:-
· Please access the Sion Baptist Website for voice recordings of Sunday sermons and reflections from your Pastor, Mark. For those of you who are not on-line you should normally expect a sermon/reflection and message to be posted through your door each week. I hope you find these helpful and connecting. In the weeks to come I want to look with you at some biblical truths on how together we might stay strong in spirit…
· Each Wednesday and Sunday at 7pm, Lynn Green (Gen Sec BU) will be hosting a Live Prayer Event. This is a great way to feel connected to the wider Baptist family at a time when many of us are isolated and under pressure. Please use this link to connect to the event www.baptist.org.uk/prayerbroadcasts
· Kay Street Baptist Church are live-streaming a service of worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30.
· The NWBA are hosting an Act of Worship via their website (see links) on Sunday mornings.
Please be assured of our continued prayers for all of you and your families. Paint or draw a RAINBOW this week and reflect on the HOPE we have.
Pray with us for a world under siege. Pray to the Almighty for an end to this plague.
Stay strong; stay well; stay together; stay fed; stay fit physically and mentally; stay fit (most importantly) spiritually. Stay with the Lord!
23 Let us hold (STAY) unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (MFR 02/04/20)