Bloomfield Methodist Church Easter Pastoral Letter 2024 from Reverend Nigel Murphy

‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7.

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Easter 2024,

This will be my final pastoral letter, as Reah and I prepare to move into our home in Carrickfergus from July 2024. At present we are uncertain where we will be serving, but we are both thankful for our home. Bloomfield Methodist will always be on our hearts, and we pray every blessing upon you now and for the future. Our door is always open, and we look forward to sharing a coffee with you. It is important to us how we say farewell and so we say our door is always open. Reah and I are excited for the adventurous plans God has for us as we step out trusting in our Lord.
 

I was thinking about what to write in this letter and taking from the recent minister’s retreat at the Sligo Park Hotel, I thought to write about: the ‘Joy of the Lord’, the hope of Easter! I was prayed over at this retreat, and I was told that the ‘Joy of the Lord’ is my strength. Apparently, I am a man of great wisdom and revelation. These are not my words, but the words of the person appointed to pray with me! This certainly encouraged me, and in past sermons have quoted and reinforced this saying from John Calvin, ‘The sum of human wisdom consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.’ Therefore, God knows us better than we know ourselves and he invites us to impart from Him through the Holy Spirit HIS wisdom and guidance for our lives. John Wesley also stressed the importance of scripture to be our guide.

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Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t brought about by unlucky circumstances. It was God’s plan all along. Jesus won us this peace by paying for our wrongs. Jesus took the weight of our lives upon himself, dying in our place. Not one of us have lived a life that truly loves and follows God! When we realise this and invite God in frequently to search our hearts/minds we begin to discover more about our own pride that works against God and how vast God’s grace is. We should remember that our days are numbered and in this we gain much wisdom about God’s grace and ourselves.

 

God says that death is the price that must be paid for our sins. Thankfully it is a price that God himself has paid for us as we cannot reconcile ourselves to him and this tells us how much he loves us – the world. The hope of Easter is the resurrection of Jesus Christ and hence the confirming fact of the gospel message! It is only through the risen Lord Jesus that we can enjoy peace with God.  But what about our day-to-day anxieties? (Philippians 4:6-7).  The Bible says that Jesus Christ daily bears our burdens. Jesus Christ is alive to be with us and care for us. Jesus Christ will never leave us! Jesus Christ is a living saviour offering you the deepest, most profound peace imaginable; one that we can keep even when life seems very hard.

 

Reah and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy Easter. The manse telephone number is 028 90 651 810 and mobile number is 079 888 07 803. For the online services go to Bloomfield Methodist Church Facebook or Bloomfield Methodist Church You Tube. If you would like your pastoral letter emailed in the future, please send your email address to bloomfield.methodist@gmail.com

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Peace be with you, your friend and minister, Reverend Nigel Murphy

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Holy Week Service Information is provided on the Church Calendar
 

Hospital Visits: if you have a family member, loved one or know of a member of the congregation who has been admitted to hospital for treatment, please let the minister/Society Steward know asap so a visit can be arranged. The minister can also be contacted via email nigel.murphy@irishmethodist.org When telephoning please leave a message. If you would like a house call from the minister you are welcome to request.

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