A Message

Corvid - 19 has made us realise how much more  people are in need. I would divide them  into  two categories. The need for material / physical. Peoples need for existence - food, jobs, security, money, technological resources to educate their children, the need for confidence in the future and the need to overcome poverty. Most often while the plight of the less fortunate has been highlighted, it has never more been brought to light as much as it has with Corvid - 19. Prior to Corvid-19, amidst their situation they would make ends meet by finding opportunities.  However, the many restrictions of Corvid -19 the behavioral changes, and peoples attitudes and mind sets only raises the question, who will meet our needs? This question is also relevant to a new category of people who have been made less fortunate during this period of Corvid - 19 - small businesses, the self employed, the migrant workers (local and foreign), farmers, etc., as they are surrounded ...

         If the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey is the classroom of Ecumenism, the Chapel at the Institute of Bossey for me will be the laboratory of Ecumenical worship. From the opening worship, where through song we asked the Lord to “bind us together” till our closing service where we were challenged to be humble and not think that we know it all, the chapel has been a place where I have seen worship / prayer being defined and redefined, at times disturbing always reflective.                 Being one of the first to arrive in the chapel each morning, as I would do in my own church, being a priest, I have been able to spend time in silence and soak in the ambiance of this quaint place of worship, and to be reminded that many a great persons who have been part of the ecumenical movement and are yet part of it are those who have been touched and blessed to pray together with brothers and sisters of dif...

Friends! Every during the month of May-June we come together to be involved in mission work to celebrate our ordination to the priesthood which falls on May 6th. This year (Corvid-19) too like last year (Easter Sunday bombing) we could not fulfill our commitment. As our act of thanksgiving to God we have come together to lead you in this Ascension Sunday worship – a service of the word. Stay blessed and stay safe. --Fr’s. Balasunderam, Dhivyapalan, Lakshman-- You may follow this service by clicking  Ascension Sunday service The introduction Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in the midst of a pandemic, a curfew which has kept us locked up inside our homes like the first disciples at Easter, and no worship services, yet for forty days we have been joyfully celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. His resurrection is a reminder to us especially during this period that he has defeated death and the power of sin. Today we celebrate our Lord’s ascension into heaven,...

The Promised Holy Spirit to the Church - You may use this resource in a meaningful way as you pray as a family. - You may use the given hymns or any other hymns that are relevant and known. Greeting Christ is risen Alleluia! He is risen indeed Alleluia! Opening sentence But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13 Silence  Opening Song  - Gift of Christ from God our Father,  Tune: 8.4.8.4.8.8.8.4. Welsh Air; The opening prayer For prayer in the morning As we rejoice in the gift of a new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you, now and forever. Amen. For prayer in the evening As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and forever. Amen. Confession And I will a...

6th of May 2014, feast of John the Apostle and Evangelist the day I was ordained a priest, some verses of scriptures from my mornings (6/5/20) meditations helped to reflect over the last two days, give thanks.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end f the age . Matthew 28:20b  No one can snatch them out of my hand . John 10:28b Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:37-39) On first impression these portions of scriptures can paint a negative picture. But these verses were further study sections to conclude a two month long devotional on the "prayer of Jesus" in John 17, which helped to look back at the path that six years had brought me through with thanksgiving, and to look ahead with confidence in God who calls, bringing me back to one of my favourite verses in the bible from 1 Timothy 2:12 " I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to h...

“Jesus’ New Way - Our Royal Priesthood”   -           You may use this resource in a meaningful way as you pray as a family. -           You may use the given hymns or any other hymns that are relevant and known.   Greeting Christ is risen Alleluia! He is risen indeed Alleluia!   Opening sentence  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 Silence Opening prayer to be sung prayerfully Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen. Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus. Confession But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. I Peter 2:9   In silence...

Based on the image of the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34 and John 10 For the healing of the infected O Lord our Shepherd, you tend your sheep, bind their wounds and heal them. We pray for the world and all who are infected by the corona virus. As a Shepherd beside it's wounded sheep, be beside all who are infected. May they know your comforting presence, the gentleness of your touch, the warmth of your loving embrace, and experience your healing and wholeness. In your name we pray. Amen. For families of the infected O Lord our Shepherd, you are Jehovah Shalom our peace; who keeps your sheep by still waters and green pastures. Give peace to families of the infected and the quarantined. In their concern, uncertainty, fear and their inability to be beside their loved one, may they know your peace. With you beside them, help them have hope in you In your name we pray. Amen For the needy O Lord our Shepherd, You are Jehovah Jireh, provider o...

Stain glass window @ St. Thomas' Church, Stanningly. Jesus the Good Shepherd You may use this resource in a meaningful way as you pray as a family. The family gathers around the Easter garden or flowers / greenery in the space kept for prayer. A candle or lamp is lit. You may use the given hymns or any other hymns that are relevant and known. Opening sentence I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. John 10:14 The opening prayer If you are praying in the morning As we rejoice in the gift of a new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you, now and forever. Amen. If you are praying in the evening As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and   forever. Amen. Hymn -  Faithful Shepherd, feed me Collect to be said by all God of peace, by the blood of the eternal coven...