Beckenham Methodist Church

The Indicator: November 2007 / January 2008

Message from our Minister : Rev Patrick Kandeh

                                                                                               

Dear Friends,

Christmas is here once again.  New lights will soon be lit in our streets.  The Christmas trees will soon be dressed in most of our homes.  Christmas cards to friends and to family members are being written as I write this message to you.  Food and drinks are brought and music prepared all in readiness for the celebration.  Our houses are festooned both inside and outside.  The news media and television stations are competing as to who has the best programme to entertain us all over the festive season.  I believe all is being prepared.

But I would like to ask us all two simple questions:

How are we preparing our hearts, souls and minds to receive our saviour, redeemer, brother and friend Jesus Christ?

What do we feel about the real celebration of Christmas in our time – The birth of Christ?

into our homes and world once more.  In the words of Isaiah we here this:

“For a child is born to us,

a son is to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be call:

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”.

Isaiah 9:6

                

These words of Isaiah show beyond every reasonable doubt how powerful the person is whose coming we are all looking forward to.  So let us take this opportunity to invite our friends and families to come with us as we join our and minds to welcome the Kings og all Kings.   Please endeavour to take time out of the hustle and bustle of life and work to make the space for Christ as he comes majestically to save the universe and to grant his everlasting peace to a failing world.

 

 

In this festive season always remember that the light of the world is here.  Therefore, during this waiting time, I anticipate that we will all be able to discern once again that Christ is the true light of the world that will come to our door steps on that glorious Christmas morning.  Let us also remember that, in time of great darkness, God promised to send light that would shine on everyone living in the shadow of death.  This light is both “Wonderful Counsellor” and “Mighty God”, who brings to the world a message full of hope that is fulfilled during Christ’s birth and the establishment of his eternal Kingdom.

My honest and sincere advice to you is that in whatever way we decide to welcome the King of the earth or indeed however we wish to celebrate Christmas, please let us make room and allow within our enjoyment a time of spiritual uplifting or transformation to take place.  Then, come 2008, it will be hoped that our individual and collective batteries would have been re-charged in order to move the Lord’s work forward.  Friends, don’t let yourselves be carried away by any type of celebration that would distract you from the full meaning of Christmas for a follower of Christ.

 Youth Work

As was promised in the October message to you, work amongst our young people is taking a different form and shape as discussions for carrying out youth work on a circuit wide basis has started in earnest.  I am please to say that a huge amount of planning work is already under way.  Once again I will only ask that you keep your ears open for news about this new development which will hopefully start sometime in the New Year.  I would also like to commend our young people who attended the Methodist Youth Conference and the impact they made through their contributions

TC’s

 This excellent outreach work carried out by TCs needs to be commended once more because it is obvious to us all that TCs happens to be one of the realistic means by which we reach out to the community that we are serving.  Therefore, such a good work must be upheld and supported at every opportunity.  My special thanks as we come to the end of another year goes to all those who give their time to volunteer and help with running TCs on a daily basis.  In the same way vein I would to ask you all to continue to pray for this work and for its future direction, particularly with reference to its leadership as the outreach  committee in New Year hopes to think about the way forward for the activities of TC’s and how to foster this useful piece of work.  This leaves big challenges ahead of us all.  Let us keep on thinking and praying about this.

 I am delighted therefore to be wishing you all, for the first time as your minister, a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.  It is my hope and prayer that from now to when Christmas is actually here you will all notice a new feeling within you that Christ is truly living and working his way in your lives.

 HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR.  MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL

 

Patrick

 

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