St. Peter's 

Anglican Church

Dear Members and friends of St. Peter's Anglican Church,

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

This Sunday of February 19, 2023 is the last Sunday after the Epiphany.  The first day of Epiphany was January 6 when we celebrate the visitation of the new born King Jesus by the three wise men or Magi from the East (Matthew 2:1-11).  The meaning of Epiphany is God's manifestation of Jesus to the world.  The climax of God's manifestation of Jesus to the world is to know Jesus as the Son of God.  All three synoptic gospels: Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; and Luke 9:28-36 give a testimony of God's voice heard from heaven saying: " This is my beloved Son , in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him." (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, and Luke 9:35).  This is God's supreme revelation to mankind.

God's revelation to mankind is to lead us to believe in His Son Jesus Christ as the Son of God so that through believin we may have life in his name.  This is the purpose of all the writings and miracles we have in the whole Bible.  In John 20:30-31 we read: " Jesus did other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."  May God help us to read the Bible and believe in Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God .

May God bless you with your families and friends and protect you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Fr. James Kibe Karanja.

Dear members and friends of St. Peter's Anglican Church,

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

" YOU SHALL NOT MURDER..."

In Matthew 5:21-22 we read: 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][ c] will be subject to judgment."  Jesus points out that the judgement for murder is the same as that of getting angry with your brother or sister.  People tend to hate those who make them feel angry or annoyed but the Holy Bible warns us not to be angry as anger leads to evil.

What should we do?  Psalm 37: 8 says :  " Refrain from anger and turn from wrath ...it leads to evil."  Jesus tells us what we should do in Luke 6:27-28: " But I tell you who hear me: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."  The medicine that heals anger is love in the name of Jesus.  "In the name of Jesus we have the victory."

May God bless you as you bless others and protect you with your families and friends in the name of Jesus.

Fr. James.

Dear Members and Friends of St. Peter's Anglican Church,

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

" YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH." ( MATHEW 5:13).

In Matthew 5:13 Jesus says: 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

Why did Jesus call His disciples the " Salt of the earth?  Salt was very valuable in ancient times and was used in various ways.  People used salt as a flavor to give taste to food, preservative to preserve food such as meat fish and all kinds of sea food.  It was also used as medicine for healing wounds.  Salt was used for trading together with gold between Africa and Europe.  The Romans used salt as wages to pay their soldiers instead of money.  The purity of salt was used metaphorically for calling believers to purity of life.  Salt was only good when it was put into use otherwise it was useless.

Jesus called upon his disciples the salt of the earth to know that they were so valuable and were called to be as pure as salt.  The disciples were to give taste to the world. as salt does to food.  The disciples of Jesus were also called to live among other people and preserve them from decaying in their moral standards.

As Jesus went around healing people, his disciples were sent out to heal the community around them by preaching the gospel of salvation and repentance of sins.  If the disciples of Jesus do not preach the gospel of salvation and lead a pure life that transforms the lives of the community then they are good for nothing.

Whatever we do or say should transform the society into Christ like nature.  Colossians 3:17 says: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

May God bless you with your families and friends and protect you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Fr. James.

Dear members and friends of St. Peter's Anglican Church,

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

" BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL..."

In Matthew 5:7, we read: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."  To be merciful means to be compassionate, loving, kind and forgiving to all people.  In sending Jesus Christ to save us by his death on the cross, God has demonstrated his love, kindness and forgiveness to the whole world. All people who believe in Jesus are expected to do as God has done to them.

Colossians 3:12-14 says: 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

May God bless you with your families and friends and protect you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Fr. James.

Dear Members and friends of St. Peter's Anglican Church,

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

In the Lord's prayer we say: "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." (Luke 11:2-4).

In this prayer we pray for God's Kingdom to come down and His will to be done here on earth as it is done in heaven.  Jesus brings down the Kingdom of God to earth.  The kingdom that Jesus brings is the kingdom of love, peace, and unity. 

Through his ministry Jesus fights against the enemies of peace such as ignorance, poverty, and disease.  Matthew 4:23 says: 23 "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."

May God help us to establish the kingdom of God here on earth by preaching the good news of deliverance from ignorance, poverty, and disease in the name of Jesus.

May God bless you with your families and friends and protect you in the name of Jesus.

Fr. James.

Dear Members and Friends of St. Peter's Anglican Church,

Greetings in the Holy Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

MISSION STARTS AT HOME.

There is a saying which says that: " CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME."  The good things that we do have their beginnings at our homes. Similarly, whatever good we have should be first shared at home with the family members.

In our Sunday Gospel reading, John 1:40-42 we read: "40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.  41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).  42 And he brought him to Jesus"

What is the first thing that Andrew did after meeting with Jesus? He went and brought his Brother Peter to Jesus.  Let us go and do likewise by bringing members of our family to Jesus.  "Mission starts at home."

May God bless you with your families and friends and protect you in the name of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dear Members and friends of St. Peter's Anglican Church,

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

JESUS AT HIS BAPTISM.

In Matthew 3:16-17 we read: 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Jesus was declared the Son of God at his baptism. What was Jesus doing at his baptism?

Luke Luke 3:21-22 says: "... And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son , whom I love; with you I am well pleased." 

As Jesus was praying, heaven was opened.  Jesus opens heaven through out his life with prayer.  He prayed throughout his ministry to the cross.  Even while he as on the cross Jesus prayed for us saying: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) and in Luke 23:46 He said: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."  Jesus life was a life of prayer.

May God help you to make your life a life of prayer and God will open the heavens for you as you pray.  May God be with you and bless you with your families and friends and protect you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Fr. James Kibe Karanja.

Dear Members and friends of St . Peter's Anglican Church,

Greetings in the Holy Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

THE HOLY NAME.

In Luke 2:21 we read: Luke 2:21, NIV:" On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived."

Jesus is the Holy Name that was given to Christ our Lord.  The name Jesus is the same as Joshua in the Old Testament and it means " Yawheh " is salvation, God is salvation.

Mathew 1:21 says: "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Jesus is God who saves us from our sins.

Mathew 1:23 also says that Jesus shall be called Immanuel which means " God with us."

Jesus is God with us and He saves us from our sins.  Jesus promised to be with us always until the end of the age.

This is what God promised his people in Joshua 1:5,9: (5)" No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life., As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (9) Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and very courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" this year of 2023.

cf. This chorus:

"How Great is our God.

How great is our God.

How great is his name.

How great is his love forever the same

He rolled back the waters

of the great mighty sea

And He said I will never leave you

Put your trust in me."

In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

"The Priestly Blessing: Numbers 6: 22-27: 22.The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 ‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Fr. James.

Dear Members and friends of St. Peter's Anglican Church,

Merry Christmas.

In Luke 2:10-11 we read:

10" And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"

Before the coming of Christ people lived in fear of the unknown.  Jesus was born to save us from sin and fear of the unknown.

The angel said to Joseph: (Mathew 1:20-21) 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, [a] because he will save his people from their sins.

May God help us to receive Jesus in our lives in order to save us from sin and fear of the unknown future.

Merry Christmas.

Fr. James.

4th Sunday in Advent:The Daily Visitation

Readings:

Isaiah 7:10-16

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-25

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

Collect:

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his

coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the

unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reminder: Advent season of preparation. Historically fasting and prayer. It is a reminder to

prepare oneself and the Church for Jesus’ second coming

Today: we begin with an invocation for the Holy Spirit to purify our consciences so as to prepare

our hearts.

The instruction within the collect today is that often it is through the daily visitation—daily

encounters with God that our conscience is purified. What does this mean-‘a daily visitation’ or

encounter. How shall we avail ourselves of this means and through it this end of purification and

preparation?

1) First let’s be assured that God our Father is available.

The lesson of Christmas and the Epiphany is that the God-head in the Eternal Son

condescended to come to us. He came to fellowship with Sinners and save us. He condescends

still in the Holy Spirit to enliven and empower.

John.14.23Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word;

and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

We have been and still are His intended home. His mansion if you will as the collect says. So

knowing His intention and His promise to continually visit us, for His Spirit to indwell us we can

be confident that if we will walk with Him in fellowship and obedience then we must encounter

Him daily.

2) Now it may be that we, not being fully mature or yet made perfect, may not realize this

experientially.

a) A first issue and most likely is in recognition. Analogy: Part of growing up and

indeed parenting is recognizing opportunity and danger. The young child reaches

for the flame, the adult forsees and stops the child admonishing him to prevent

injury whenever possible. So a call to maturity is recognizing the opportunity, the

blessing, afforded to us in Christ. And likewise the dangers that may distract us

or wound us. The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and we have in the

scriptures what we need to recognize and understand.

b) Dangers: The Scriptures admonish us the will of God. We have the 10

commandments and the Law of Christ to keep us from danger and to direct our

energies to actively love God, love our neighbor, and our enemy. To receive His

love and listen to and try not to grieve the Holy Spirit. To forgive, and find

forgiveness.

c) Opportunity: The Christmas story is as it says in Isaiah 7 is a sign. It is something

to look for, for Israel. And for us it is important to note that He may present

himself in gentleness and humility. We should look for the unexpected—a word

of encouragement from a stranger, a scripture verse in a text. Sometimes to slow

oneself down and pray even in times of busyness and stress.

d) He comes in power and strength -the lesson of Advent is that Christ will come in

power. He is revealed in power in the resurrection as the epistle says. Now, we

live in a time of transition where the kingdom of heaven is being revealed but is

not fully revealed (inaugurated eschatology-‘now and the not yet’). This is why we

pray and see healing and deliverance more or less in times and seasons, but it is

when he returns that we shall all be healed and delivered in the resurrection. But

knowing He reveals himself in this way we should be bold of faith to encounter

God in vision, dream, prophecy, word of knowledge and wisdom, and His

healing. We do not want to miss the gift of His daily visitation because we set our

eyes, our expectations, to low.

3) So we know He must and will come because he has revealed it as His will in His word.

So again we pray that we might avail ourselves of His daily visitation, that He might do

the work in us of purification and preparation as we look to his coming again. He is

faithful and will do it. Let us pray.