Word from our Pastor
July 2021
Dear Friends,
Greetings in Jesus’ name!
I am sure we are relieved as we hear the news of the pandemic curve going down. It almost seems like a new era as shops, markets, workplaces, and places of worship are opening up. There seems to be a breath of fresh air.
As a church we have entered a new decade. I want to refresh our memories regarding the Vision and the Mission of EMC as drawn out prayerfully more than 5 years ago.
Vision of EMC
We want to be a community that is passionately maturing in Christ and compassionately reaching out to the world for the glory of God.
Mission Statement
Emmanuel Methodist Church empowered and led by the Holy Spirit, will seek to build the Kingdom of God by being:
A worshipping community that is rooted in Christ and centered on the Word.
A welcoming community that cares and shares
A witnessing community that uses its gifts & talents to impact all spheres of life for the glory of God.
We had also drawn up ten aspirational goals with 2020 as the cut off year. When we look at our aspirational goals, we realize that there is much to be done in most areas. However, we can be thankful to God that He has enabled us to reach some of the goals.
We are thankful to God that we have been able to partly achieve four of the goals and achieve one fully. As a community I would encourage us to prayerfully rework our goals up to 2025. Let us look to our Lord to guide us into the next five years.
If one does not reflect on the death of Fr. Stan this month, we would be like ostriches burying our head in the sand. His death has brought to light the use of a system to muzzle the voice of people crying in the wilderness. As children of the Most High God we hear the word of God say…but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (Jer 9:24)
This raises a few questions in my mind.
Firstly, am I aware of the steadfast love, justice and righteousness of God in my life.
Secondly, what do I do when the word of God says, He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Mic 6:8)
Thirdly, how far am I taking the expectations of Jesus seriously when He says, For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’… And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Mat 25:35-36, 40) Writer to the Hebrews reiterates, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” (Heb 13:3) Clearly this is an area of ministry God wants His children to be involved in or at the least be concerned about.
May God enable us to become a community that is passionately maturing in Christ and compassionately reaching out to the world for the glory of God during such a time as this.
In Christ
Pastor John R. A. Simeon
(On behalf of the Pastoral Team)
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