pastoral Letter       

Dear Members and Friends,

Greetings in the Precious Name of Jesus.

Direction for the Church

Since this is my IS' Pastoral Letter, let me put in writing here some of the things that I've shared with

you from the pulpit on the following Sundays: I January, 25 January and 15 February 2004.

After meeting up with the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, I earnestly sought the Lord for a Word

to us as a Church here. I used Psalm 25 as a basis for my prayer and in subsequent days narrowed my

prayer to verses 4-5, 9, 12 and 14:

Show me your ways, 0 Lord,

teach me your paths;

                                         for you are God my Savior

                               and my hope is in you all day long.

          He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Who, then, is the man that Fears the Lord?

He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

The Lord confides in those who fear him.

As I continued to seek the Lord and wait upon him it became very clear that my posture before him

had to be 2 fold: to be humble (to be teachable) and to fear the Lord (to be reverent and stand in awe

of him).

In response, God placed 3 things on my heart. These 3 serve as the Direction or Way Forward to

us at Wesley Methodist Church, Penang:

1. The Call To Brotherly Love

          2. Leaders Must Be Praying   Leaders

3. The Church Must Be A Missionary Church

As Pastor, I issue a Call to you, to be obedient to this Word from God. This obedience is to be

characterized by the following posture: a) Be Humble (v. 9)

b) Fear the Lord (v. 12, 14)

Lent Season 25"' February - 10"' April

I. Call to Prayer, Fasting, Meditation

This was issued from the pulpit to the Congregation. Members were encouraged to use R

Dr Chew Tow Yow's book, "Lent Meditations 2004: On A Journey With Christ" (St Ma

8:27-15:41).

144 persons have taken the book and 52 of them arc observing fasting (at least I type). This is

encouraging sign.

Holy Week Services @ 8.00 p.m. nightly

The following Services will be held at our Church during Holy Week:

• Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service 8"' April

Sermon: The Table of Love Luke 22:7-27

• Good Friday Service 9'*' April

Sermon: The Cross of Suffering Luke 23:32-49

• Holy Saturday 10"' April

The Sanctuary will be open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Holy Saturday:

You can come in at anytime and spend some time in personal prayer and meditatic

(some material will be made available).

Pastor will be around to pray with you if you so desire.

A Baptism Service will be held at 4.00 p.m.

Easter Sunday Service II" Apr

Sermon: Discovering New Life in Christ Luke 24:13-35

Some info about the Preacher for the Holy Week Services and Easter:

Rev Dr Hermen Shastri is a Methodist Minister (TRAC) who is seconded by th(

Methodist Church to serve as General Secretary of the Council of Churches o

Malaysia (CCM) and as Executive Secretary of the Christian Federation of Malaysia

(CFM).

In and through his ministry, he continues to represent the churches in discussion;

centering around Christian unity, social witness and inter-faith cooperation on i

national and international level.

He holds a Doctor of Theology (Heidelberg) and Scholar in residence for Ecumenica

Studies (Rome, Berkeley).

I would like to invite you and your family to the special services that we have arranged during Holy

Week and Easter. They are planned to strengthen your faith, deepen your devotion and increase your

motivation as a disciple of our risen Lord.

Finally, an appeal from me to you personally,

"I urge you. brothers (and sisters) by Lord Jesus  and by the love of the Spirit to join  me

in my struggle by praying for me." - Romans 15:30

The God of Peace be with you all. Amen.

Sincerely in Christ Jesus,

Lawrence Francis

Pastor

HomeI location I History I  Our belief I weekly acti.I  Articles/ sermons I  Boys' Brigade I Girls Brigade I Sunday School I  Metho. Women I MSF.I Social Concern I John Wesley I Photo Gallery I Office &Admin I Eldercare I Upcoming Events I Home I