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CIRMC Weekly

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [11-20] [21-25]


Resilient: Pentecost Power! by Rev Rohan Forrester -Chair of CIRMC Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
	One of the greatest stories of resilience in the Bible relates to the response of Jesus’ disciples after the resurrection. In the days between the crucifixion, resurrection, and Pentecost, we see Jesus’ disciples moved from being completely demoralized and discouraged to being in a celebratory and expectancy mood. Earlier, before Jesus ascended to heaven, Jesus had told the apostles to stay in Jerusalem to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). Before this time, Jesus had spent three years with the disciples, preparing them for this moment: • they witnessed His death; they encountered the resurrected Christ, • they’ve gone to the mountain where He told them to go, and now they’re waiting for what is going to happen next. • they are baffled, but excited to be in a state of expectancy, wondering, what will happen next? So, after Jesus ascended to heaven the disciples along with Jesus’ mother and brothers, and some women all gathered in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem. While waiting, the apostles chose Matthias to replace Judas. It is at this juncture, that the disciples who had been in Jerusalem for about 10 days before the Day of Pentecost, finally saw the promise fulfilled. please click here for more information (PDF file)

The Relevance of the Ascension by Rev. Dr. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield Wednesday May 25, 2022
	Please read Acts 1:1-11 and Luke 24:50-53 Ascension Day is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter and ten days before Pentecost. It commemorates Jesus’ Ascension from the Mount of Olives in the presence of His Disciples. Thursday, May 26, 2022, was Ascension Day. On Sunday, May 29, 2022, we will observe Ascension Sunday. When we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus, not only do we recall His departure from this world in bodily form, but we also hear Christ calling and commanding us to be faithful witnesses and to be united as one body. We must confess that in so many ways we have not been faithful to Christ’s bidding for us as the Church to be one in body, mind, and spirit. The Disciples provided the Church with the credible witness of Jesus’ Ascension and the promise of His return. It is upon their witness that the Church has remained a gathered community awaiting the return of Christ. They asked Jesus if the end time had arrived when the kingdom of Israel would be restored. But Jesus indicated to them that it was not for them to know the time or the season when God would act. They were asked to wait. God would - in time - usher in God’s kingdom, not just restore Israel. At the Ascension, the Disciples heard the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would empower and transform their lives. They were instructed to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit which would give them new horizons and energy to fulfil their calling. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: Obedience and Peace By Rev. Louis Sully Wednesday May 18, 2022
	Please read John 14:23-29 The world is full of challenges and obstacles. To survive requires personal persuasion and a clear purpose. We hear about fighting and wars and how they impact many parts of the world. Not only do we hear about them, but we are also fighting a war within us. People are seeking answers to their questions, what will happen with the war in Ukraine? What will happen after the COVID-19 war? When will this virus stop? Are we heading for a famine around the world? Why are the shelves so empty in the shops? The current situations are alarming and can present a conflict within. It is important to note that without hope and clear purpose, we can feel swallowed up by the challenges in the world, society, and homes. As a resilient people, I want to invite us to listen to the words of Jesus in John 14: 23-29. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: Love One Another By Rev. Dr. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield Wednesday May 11, 2022
	Please read John 13:31-35 The text from John 13: 31-35, invites us not only to consider but to enter the kind of love relationship which Christ commanded. Christ gave this commandment at the Last Supper with the Disciples after Judas left the table to do what he had purposed in his heart. During the table fellowship and discourse, Jesus indicated that one of the twelve would betray Him. The Disciple whom Jesus loved, was tasked by Peter to ascertain from Jesus who would betray Him. Jesus identified His betrayer by giving him bread that was dipped in the bowl. Deep within, Judas had decided to betray Jesus and to receive financial gain for his act of unrighteousness. Judas was a close friend and confidant of Jesus and had served as the financial officer for the Disciples. He knew all the details and enjoyed the fellowship at the table. Yet, within himself, he harbored thoughts of fear, malice, and envy. He allowed dark thoughts to deprive him of clarity, generosity, love, and commitment. The juxtaposition of the Disciple whom Jesus loved with the Disciple who betrayed Jesus in John 13, enables a reflection on the nature and condition of the human heart. Although both were selected and embraced by Jesus, included among the Disciples, and exposed to the teachings and miracles, they both differed in their regard and love for Jesus. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: Listening, knowing, and following the Shepherd’s voice. By Mrs. Brenda Dawkins Wednesday May 04, 2022
	Sunday, May 8, 2022, is the 4th in the liturgical Season of Easter, and we continue to celebrate the resurrected Lord, Our Great Shepherd - the Lamb of God. It is also Mother’s Day, and I wish all mothers and those mothering the happiest and most blessed moments with their families. May your children grow up and call you blessed! It is befitting that this weekend we focus on the theme, RESILIENT: LISTENING, KNOWING AND FOLLOWING THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE. This is appropriate for two main reasons. Firstly, listening, knowing, and following commands and directions are what mothers wish their children to do, not only once, but repeatedly. We hear parents saying, “you are not listening”, “I need you to follow my instructions”, “This does not happen in our house —you know who you belong to”. Amid all the expectations and beseeching of children, mothers must remain resilient, pliable, and adaptable (sometimes to the point of nagging---and I am not encouraging nagging). But today there are so many other voices reaching our children’s ears, or should I say ‘noises’ in our society that are competing with us as parents for our children’s attention. Despite our best efforts to repeatedly instruct, guide, or lead by example, our offspring don’t seem to get it. Nevertheless, I wish to encourage us to be resilient, strong and persevere with a hope that one day they will KNOW, LISTEN AND FOLLOW our positive lead. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: Feed my Lamb by Rev Godfrey Meghoo Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
	Please read John 21:1-19 Would you believe that when small children were brought to the Lord, the twelve disciples objected? When Jesus saw this, He rebuked the apostles, saying,” Let the children come to me, do not forbid them, for they too belong to the Kingdom of God!” Somehow, those men felt that children must be seen and not heard. They thought that children should wait until they become adults. They were misguidedly saying that only adults can become believers. It would be like us saying mistakenly that children should wait until they become adults to go to school or get inoculations. But the Lord says today: For I will receive them, And fold them to my bosom; I’ll be a Shepherd to these lambs: O drive them not away. For, if their hearts to me they give, They shall with me in glory live: Suffer little children to come unto me (William Hutchings). I believe that many of us lovingly called our little child ‘my little lamb’; and when we had our dinner at home, we made sure that the children ate first. We remember the words, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) We teach them by example to give thanks before having a meal. We carefully plan for their education. We go with them when and if they are going off to college. But more than that, we show them by example what a happy family should be. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: In the Face of Doubt By Mr. Herman Wilson Wednesday Apr 20, 2022
	All people experience doubt throughout their lives. Believer in Christ, however, have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to overcome this negative experience concerning the things of God. It is evident in the Gospel of Mark that before His crucifixion, Jesus’ disciples were somewhat doubtful about the resurrection; they could not grasp it. “He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. (Mark 9:31- 32) In John 20:19-31, Christ Jesus our Lord appeared to His disciples in His resurrected state. He gave them the Holy Spirit by breathing on them. Thomas, who was not present at this first encounter, did not believe that Christ Jesus had indeed rose from the dead. He doubted. However, Thomas believed when the Lord Jesus appeared to all the disciples the second time. Christ Jesus said to Thomas: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen me yet have believed.” (John 20:29) please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: In the Face of Unbelief By Rev Donovan Myers Wednesday Apr 13, 2022
	Please read John 20:19-30 At last, we are at the threshold of Resurrection Sunday. Finally, after all the waiting of Lent, what we hoped for is almost here. What could top the news of resurrection? Certainly, everyone should be ecstatic. Yet, John’s gospel reveals that when Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away, rather than being excited, she stood weeping - locked in her grief, unable to recognize Jesus. Her tears blurred her vision; it was as if she never expected to see Him again. Later when she tells the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” they retreat, huddled behind locked doors. They are locked in! When the mood should be festive and joyous, they are fearful and restrained by their doubts. please click here for more information (PDF file)

The Divine Choices of Lent By Rev L. Christopher Mason Wednesday Apr 06, 2022
	The temptations of Jesus take us on a spiritual journey into the wilderness and end on a Friday in Jerusalem, where the old, rugged cross is standing on a hillside. During this time, we have an opportunity to recall the details of that treacherous journey. Satan tried to trip Him up at every turn, yet Jesus experienced protection for the journey by choosing good over evil. Lent - what does it mean? What does it mean for you personally? It can mean a variety of things. It can be a time of reflection and self-examination and a time for inner healing. We can look back to the times we have fallen into the snares and traps that Satan set for us along the way. We can examine our attitudes and responses and root out such things as unforgiveness and bitterness. The Lenten season is a time to allow the spotlight of the Holy Spirit to bring to the surface those areas that have brought failure and disappointment. It is a time of hope for us, as well. No matter how far we have strayed away from God’s plan for us, God is there to lead us back to safety. God’s protection for our spiritual journey is there for us each day please click here for more information (PDF file)

Service of De-Linking, Linking and Induction of Minister of the Bodden Town – Savannah Charge Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
	On Sunday, March 27, 2022, at 5:00 pm, members of the Webster Memorial, William Pouchie and Savannah United Churches gathered in Savannah, along with members of Council for a Service of De-Linking, Linking and Induction of Rev. Euthman Wray, Minister of the newly formed Bodden Town-Savannah Charge. The Service, focusing on the theme, “Rooting with Resilience to Respond in Hope” began with the procession of the Bible and the Platform Party. Interim Minister, Rev. L. Christopher Mason acted as Liturgist of the Service. Mr. Harwell McCoy of the Webster Memorial United Church offered the Prayer of Adoration, Thanksgiving, and Confession. Members of the combined Savannah United and Webster Memorial Girls’ Brigade presented a special item. please click here for more information (PDF file)