Dear friends and families,
 
I was reflecting on only one verse from Psalm 42:5 and was questioning to myself which I am going to share with you too.

Why am I so sad?
Why am I so troubled?
I will put my hope in God,
and once again I will praise him,
my saviour and my God.

When we are disappointed; we need to look inward. David asked, ‘Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?’ We need to admit how we feel. We can’t deal with what we don’t acknowledge. We need to ask God to show us the root of the problem. Is it pent-up anger? Envy? Unforgiveness? Pride? Lust? Physical and mental fatigue? Be open to what He reveals because John 10:10b says, I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.
​
We live in a driven, stressed-out society, we can change; we can be joyful if we choose to.

“The choice is in our hands”.

The Shepherd of our soul will never leave us nor forsake us; in Jesus’ mighty name, I pray.
​
With lots of love, prayers, and blessings.
 
Rev Kathreen Shabaz

Dear families and friends,
 
Hope you all are doing well. I was deeply thinking about the word witnesses and got lots of encouragement from Romans chapter 12. I am going to share with you some of my thoughts, not all though, so you won’t feel the sermon on Wednesday instead of Sunday. It’s just to pass my encouragement to you so you can be encouraged and pass these encouragements to others as well.

Romans 12:1 says,
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us”

Joseph landed in prison. Moses spent forty years in the desert. Daniel ended up in chains. These were dismal moments. Who could possibly have seen any good in them? Who could have known that Joseph the prisoner was only a single promotion away from becoming Joseph the prime minister? Who would have thought God was providing Moses forty years of wilderness training in the same desert through which he would lead the people? Who would have imagined that Daniel the captive would soon become the king’s counselor?
See, God carries out His plans like that.

Therefore, don't let the devil steal our joy – be happy and encouraged that our future is bright and spotless; in Jesus' mighty name, I pray. Amen. 

Have a blessed day.
​
With lots of love and prayers. 
 
Rev Kathreen Shabaz

Dear Friends

Last Sunday, as we commenced on a new series looking at Paul’s letter to the Romans we reflected the promise of God; that one way outstretched offer to everyone. For us it comprises of the offer of a new life life with Him, not as a reward for us dutifully keeping his law (in our strength we never could), but given out of grace through Jesus (we’ll be thinking a bit more about this next Sunday).

Our service ended with a new song (to us) that we learned together (appropriately titled “This is Amazing Grace”). If you wish to listen to it click here, the words and sentiments are indeed amazing (although if I’m honest I preferred our band’s version!).

May we indeed live under the promises God has for us, as we continue this week along with Him.

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

Dear brother and sister, 
  
Hope you all are doing well and enjoying the weather. I just wanted to share this beautiful image. When God sent His Holy Spirit to all the world on the day of Pentecost. 
  
Enjoy God’s Spirit and enjoy life too, also remember what God says in Matthew. 
  
“Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
  
With lots of love, prayers, and blessings. 

​Have a blessed day.  
  
Rev Kathreen Shabaz

Dear Friends

At PCC last night, in response to a water pipe leak we had experienced in the building earlier, I reflected “streams of living water” a theme and promise of the spirit of God that crosses over from Old to New Testament, right through to the book of Revelation, where in chapter 21 we read;

Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost."

Today the global church remembers the events of the visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, as recorded in Luke’s gospel, the occasion for Mary to sing her great hymn of praise in honour of her Lord and God. Just as Luke sees John the Baptist as the last of the prophets of the old covenant, he uses John’s leaping in Elizabeth’s womb as the first time John bears witness to Christ as the promised Messiah. Thereby he links the old covenant with the new. He seems to be saying that just as the old covenant clearly points to Jesus, so does its last prophet, yet to be born. Again, there is consistency in the journey from old to new.

Amusingly, over the last week week, within our community, I picked up rumours of my impending retirement, which was indeed news to me! Whilst looking forward to an extended break over the final quarter this year, I can assure you that I have no current plans to move on, or indeed retire. However we always need to be looking to the future and to others to whom we can pass the baton, to ensure continuation from the old to the new (as again we talked about in PCC). Having stood in front of the congregation with Millie, and marvelling at her own confidence and eloquence when speaking, it’s once again a reminder that that the things of God continue to move from the old to the new.  

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon