Are you ready?
Dear Brothers and Sisters of St Mary's,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am reminded of the words of Jesus in John 15:13.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
In this month of April, we will journey into the Passion of Christ, The Latin root of the word "passion" is "passio," meaning "suffering, enduring," and it is here that we will 
see the reality of this greater love from Jesus for his friends, which includes you and me, and yes, all humanity, as demonstrated by the laying down of his life. I have thought much of sin today as I read the curses and blessings in Deuteronomy, and through it, I see the need and magnitude of the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus provided for each one of us.
The debt of sin has been paid through one who was sinless.
This is a good place to say ‘thank you, Lord’.
This Easter, wherever you may be, I hope you take the opportunity to hear
the Passion story of Christ, to receive in your heart, whether you have been a Christian for
80 years, one month or not a Christian at all, that what Jesus suffered,
his crucifixion and eventual death, was for you and, yes, your neighbour across the road and the one beside you. Yes, the man and woman at the bus stop
and train station. Yes, the kid on the bike, the one shouting and running past you on his skates, did I forget the man and woman that just shouted at you
as you drove slowly? All are included, and no one is excluded from
the love of Jesus displayed on the cross.
All of us are in need of a Saviour, and that is Jesus.
This Easter, you will hear that it didn’t end on the cross; there was a Sunday. So, why not visit us here at St. Mary’s, or a local church near you, wherever you are, and hear about what happens on Sunday? I encourage you to click on this link
for details of our services during the Passion Week of Christ, including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the unexpected, Glorious surprise of Easter Sunday.
No greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
What act of kindness and service do you need to do?
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,
so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Grace and peace.
Rev Funmilayo
