Home
About Us >
Congregations
Missions
Ministries
Camps
Sermons
News
Newsletters >
- UCJCI Update
- CIRMC Weekly
Calendar
Photo Galleries
Accommodations >
- Cayman
- Jamaica
Weddings
Links
Contact Us

CIRMC Weekly

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [11-20] [21-24]


Return to Your Roots Mr. Herman Wilson Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
	The call to return to the Christian roots is a call for believers to fervently seek to know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ better each day. He is our life, the author and perfector of our faith, and with whom we enjoy a mystical union, He is the one who enables us to become deeply aware of the glory, mystery, holiness, perfection, wisdom and goodness of God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is what we were created for. The call is for us by faith to maintain an eternal perspective on life, and to frequently remind ourselves of who we are in Christ Jesus. We are a new creation in Christ, a new humanity created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (See John 1:12-13; Eph. 4:24.) We are the Church, partakers of the divine nature in Christ, to be an expression of the light of Christ in the world, and the temple in which God lives by His Spirit. All believers in Christ have been chosen by God before the creation of the world. (See Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 1 Peter 1:2) We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ in the heavenly places, the realm of an invisible reality. (Ephesians 1:3) There must be a change in our worldview, a new way of life inspired by God who gives us the ability to have a deeper awareness of the eternal compared with the temporal. Our union with Christ Jesus is by virtue of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and is the essence of what it means to be a Christian. It is a spiritual reality that transcends our finite minds. It is supernatural and mysterious. (See 1 Cor. 6:17; 12:13; Eph. 5:31-32.) This union was revealed by Christ Jesus in His high priestly prayer shortly before His crucifixion. He prayed as follows for all believers.

UCJCI Women’s Fellowship Week January 22-28, 2023 Wednesday Jan 25, 2023
	MODERATOR’S MESSAGE Sisters of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, I greet you warmly on behalf of the Synod. Even though we are drawing close to the end of the first month in the year, I wish for you a Happy New Year and pray God’s blessings upon your Ministry throughout the rest of 2023. As a church, we thank God for you; for your service and the various ways through which you contribute to Christ’s Ministry and Mission in your local congregations, and at the Regional and Synodical level of the church. We cannot begin to imagine what the state of the church would be in Cayman and Jamaica, were it not for our women. This is true for many other denominations as well. May God continue to bless you, even as we pray and work towards having more of our men coming on board, because the partnership is critical. Careful note has been taken of your Theme: “Women Rooted in Christ: Bearing Fruit.” It’s a given that any physical tree that is so purposed to bear fruit, must be rooted; properly anchored in soil and receiving the required nutrients. Except for when it is manipulated by human beings, in its natural state, the fruit that is borne on a tree, is consistent with the type of tree. As Christians; as Christian women, Christ Jesus has purposed you to bear fruit. You then must remain anchored in Christ; rooted in Him and drawing from His Spirit in order to bear fruit. It is a given, if you are rooted in Christ; drawing sustenance from Christ, then your fruit must reflect your connectedness; your rootedness; your Christlike nature. You can therefore appreciate why Jesus in Matthew 7: 16-20would say, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” please click here for more information (PDF file)

Everything New! by Ms. Katherine Jackson (Cert. Hon.) Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
	Please read Isaiah 43:15-16 and 19-21 When I was a little girl growing up on Elizabeth Street in West Bay, I would be so delighted if, when I was getting ready for school, my mother would say, “see, I’ve made you a new pair of garters”. My mother was an excellent seamstress and when the tops of my socks would get all stretched up, and Daddy hadn’t returned home from his turtling voyages to Key West, Florida when he would bring new clothes, socks, shoes, small bicycles, and some of everything for us, Mommy would make me a pair of garters so that my socks could stay up on my spindly little legs. Garters were simply a length of elastic with its two ends sewn together, and then you’d slip them over the socks and then turn down the tops of your socks so that no one could see how really stretched up they were! New garters were a hot item and you felt like a princess when you wore them to school. It was the same when you got a new school uniform at the start of the term, or a new dress, frilly socks and patent leather shoes to wear to the Christmas programme! All things new … In these Bible verses from Isaiah 43, “the LORD, the Holy One” is saying, “Forget the former things … do not dwell on the past” – in other words, don’t park yourself there … See, I am doing a new thing! now it springs up; do you not recognize it? Don’t you understand? I am making a way in the wilderness (a place that no one wants to get lost) … and streams in the wasteland – a hot and harsh desert !” please click here for more information (PDF file)

Let the Redeemed Return by Mr Mike Bowerman Wednesday Jan 11, 2023
	It was December 8th, 1963. Nineteen-year-old Frank Sinatra Jr. was relaxing and enjoying an evening with a friend in a Lake Tahoe hotel in Nevada prior to going on tour as he was, like his father, a musician. There was a knock on the door and, on opening it, two men pushed their way in, one aiming a gun at Frankie while the other tied up his friend. Barry Keenan and Joe Amsler then drove Frankie, blindfolded, to an apartment in the suburbs of Los Angeles where a third man, John Irwin, called Frank Sinatra Sr. demanding a ransom of $240,000. Frankie’s friend had meanwhile managed to free himself and call the police who were already on the search. They, however, advised Sinatra Sr. to pay the ransom and they would then follow up. It took only a few days for the three men to be caught, Frankie to be freed and the majority of the ransom money retrieved. The key to young Frankie being freed was the payment of a ransom. A ransom, by definition, is something paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity. In his case it was $240,000. We might describe it as the redemption price. In the Greek language used in the New Testament, the words ransom, and redemption have the same root. It is ‘lutron.’ ‘Lutron’ has to do with deliverance and freedom won and purchased at a price. please click here for more information (PDF file)

RETURN with Assurance by Rev. Dr. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield RDGS-CIRMC Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
	SYNODICAL FOCUS The theme chosen for the next Synodical period (2023-2025) is Rooted, Resilient: Re-ignited by the Spirit. Four words are connected to the theme which offers a strategic direction, Return, Reconnect, Realign, Re-ignite. These four words currently reflect the ongoing strategic direction for each of the four Regional Mission Councils. Return-NERMC, ReconnectWRMC, Realign-CIRMC and Re-ignite-SRMC. This approach allows for continuity and alignment in the direction of the church, which is then supported and reinforced in our worship and study spaces at Synodical, Regional and congregational levels. Each quarter of 2023 will have a focus on one of the strategic words for use in our worship and study ministries. It is our conviction that this season of the church’s ministry and mission should continue to focus on a needs-meeting ministry and mission, which includes but is not limited to, the ministry to Children and Youth, witness and evangelism, worship and stewardship as we seek to flesh out our VISION of “Touching Lives, Nurturing Disciples, Seeking Transformation through Christ.” Between January and March, our focus will be on the word RETURN. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Christmas Message 2022 from Rev Rohan Forrester -Chair of Council Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
	Jesus Christ Our LIVING Hope Please read Isaiah 62:1-12; Psalm 97; Luke 2:1-20 Our waiting is over! We’ve been waiting since the start of Advent, preparing ourselves in anticipation of this day. Amid all that is still wrong in the world, today we proclaim that God comes to us in the Christ child. Each week of the Advent season led us closer to the ever-brightening path to the manger of the Christ Child. As a people of hope we have waited, not in despair or dejection. We waited with joy, because we know that even though the end was not in sight until a day like today, the end of our waiting would come to pass. What a wonderful feeling to know the One who is the reason for this season. Let us rejoice, praise and give thanks to God! At the birth of Jesus, we receive living hope. We have tremendous possibilities as a result of this birth; possibilities that didn’t exist in the Old Covenant. Christ is indeed our living hope. However, there is a major difference between the way a believer and an unbeliever define the word hope. When the world speaks of hope you’ll hear something like this, “I hope I win the lottery.” But what do they mean by that? The chance of people involved in a game of chance actually winning the lottery is very small, but we often hear another expression, “I just wish I would get lucky.” please click here for more information (PDF file)

Advent 4 – LOVE Wednesday Dec 14, 2022
	During the first three Sundays, -and weeks- of Advent, Christians around the world focused on the themes of Hope, Peace, and Joy as essential aspects of our faith. Now that we have arrived at the final week of this season, we complete our spiritual journey and preparation for Christmas by focusing on Love. The miracle of Christmas is the wonderful love of God which was poured out into this world and into every heart that is ready to receive Jesus. He is the love of God in human form, the Love Incarnate, the embodiment of God’s love. The love of God, Jesus, breathes life into the deepest part of our broken and wayward hearts. It changes and transforms us into a new being, a new creation. How comforting and empowering to know, embrace, and be embraced by this amazing love. Amid our loneliness, confusion, pain, grief, hopelessness, and disillusionment He comes and in Him, we find acceptance, understanding, healing, hope, peace, and joy. Jesus is, indeed, the greatest gift of all! The priceless gift, the gift that is freely given, the gift that is so much needed! please click here for more information (PDF file)

A Life of Significance by Rev. Otto Menko Wednesday Dec 07, 2022
	Please read: Luke 1:26-38 Every one of us plays a unique role in God’s universal plan. But what is that role? What is it that only we can do and no one else? In the case of Mary, it is obvious. She was chosen to carry Jesus in her womb, to give birth and nurture Him into adulthood. It is as unique as it can possibly be. So how about us? What is our unique role in God’s plan? Perhaps at some point in our life, we dreamt of becoming a popular evangelist like the late Billy Graham, able to reach out to millions around the world. Or maybe we dreamt about becoming a famous gospel singer who captivates the hearts, brings people to tears and is in constant demand. Or maybe, we dreamt of becoming a renowned theologian, an internationally recognized Church leader, or a successful pastor of a megachurch. Or again, maybe, we don’t dream of such things because we ‘know’ that we are not fit for these roles or because we are fully content and satisfied with what we do where we are. In our simple way, we wish to live a quiet, hidden life of faith in the company of our loved ones and friends, safely tucked away in the Congregation we attend please click here for more information (PDF file)

Just Jesus – God’s Anointed Hope Rev. Euthman Wray Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
	Please read: Isaiah 11:1-10 & Luke 4:14-22a The familiar lines from one of our favorite carols (O Holy Night!), exclaim: “A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!!” Finally, the fulfilment of a hope that was long expressed, for the Promised Messiah who was expected to come and offer liberation and salvation to God’s chosen. This was the sign of His birth and the fulfilment of hope!! Israel had been waiting for a weary world to rejoice. And then, over yonder, breaks a new and glorious morn. Many of the early witnesses and participants responded with much anticipation. He of whom the prophets spoke was here! It was a thrilling hope! One Gospel writer, much earlier, echoed similar sentiments in reference to this Jesus as the fulfilment of that hope: “14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region… 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." …21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4: 14 & 18 – 19, 21) Here, the text points out that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One. The Greek word Christ is the same as the Hebrew word Messiah, the Anointed One. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Get Ready for Jesus, Our Soon Coming Hope by Rev. Donovan Myers Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
	Please read Matthew 25:1-13 We tend to think of Advent (coming) as a time of preparation for Christmas (the coming of Jesus into the world as a baby), and it is indeed. Advent is, however, also a reminder of the promise of Christ that He will come again. His second coming is a time of great anticipation for most believers. It is what we live for. The second coming of Christ, [also called the Parousia], is a taught fact in the Bible. It is a complex reality that is told in simple terms and, therefore, can cause significant confusion. Paul wrote this little section in his first letter to the Thessalonians so that his readers would not be ignorant of the state of those who have died. In verse 13 he indicates, “Brothers and sisters, we want you to know what happens to those who die. We do not want you to mourn, as other people do. They mourn because they do not have any hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13 NIRV) please click here for more information (PDF file)