St. Peter's 

Anglican Church

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

Alleluia, Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.  Do you live in fear of the unknown? People lived in fear before the resurrection of Christ. But now the Angel of the Lord says: 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 

May God help us not to be afraid or to live in fear for Christ is risen and has delivered us from fear by conquering the devil, sin and death by his death and resurrection. Alleluia! Christ is risen. 

Happy Easter.

Fr. James.

Follow Jesus-Reflections on being a disciple from the Lessons for Palm Sunday:

Lessons for Palm Sunday:

The Liturgy of the Palms:

Matthew 21:1-11

Psalm 118: 1-2, 29-29.

The Liturgy of the word:

Isaiah 50: 4-9a;

Psalm 31: 9-16.

Philippians 2:5-12.

Matthew 27:11-54.

The Collect: Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

From The Liturgy of the Palms:

Mathew 21:1-11

Psalm 118: 1-2, 29-29.

We follow Jesus as he follows The Father. John 5:19–he does only what the Father does.

We see the Jesus obedient fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. This is a demonstration to God’s people and all who have eyes to see that Jesus is the Messiah. The anointed of God. The savior of all. We are seeing God’s plan for restoration and healing for us, for the world, walked out in a humble spectacle. It is the image of the conquering king returning in all honor. But on no war horse, with no army —Rather on a young beast of burden.

Jesus follows even into Jerusalem knowing the betrayal that will come.

However…...Knowing intimately He who writes the story of the world is the best source of confidence and contentment in the midst of God’s plan.

Knowing well The Father’s —his eternal Father’s—character gives Jesus courage in obedience to walk with The Father as he walks out the plan for the healing of the world.

From The Liturgy of the word:

Isaiah 50: 4-9a;

Psalm 31: 9-16.

Jesus listens to the Father to gain wisdom and understanding and for guidance in what to do every morning—daily.

Having learned, he teaches, never self serving but to sustain the weary. ‘Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will refresh you.’ In the listening and the teaching he does it by gift of imparted grace and not by his own talent. He claims not honor in it but receives it diligently.

He faces opposition in obedience. He shows us a mental toughness, a commitment, and a kind of focus not rooted in stoicism, but once again from confidence in whom he follows. In this way his mind is buttressed continually against all kinds of opposition, discouragement, shame, accusation, conspiracy, physical violence, suffering, loss, and even the physical frailty of being human.

Philippians 2:5-12.

Matthew 27:11-54.

The Kenosis (theological term for Jesus-the eternal Word- surrendering his personal power, position, and prerogatives) and his obedient sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate expression of humility. It is important to remember that Jesus even in these acts is the true Image and demonstration of what the Father is like—What the whole of the Trinity is like. He is humble, full of love, self sacrificing and servant hearted. Jesus models the true roots of authority and leadership. Self sacrificing servant leadership.

We all have need for the authority to bless and help those we love, including in Christ’s example our neighbors and enemies. We all desperately need power to bless and help regardless of any overt leadership role. The authority to bless is rooted in that kind of love he models. Love molded in humility and obedience brings forth a fruit of authority. In God’s service that authority means effectual power- the ability to really make a difference as the world fails, betrays, steals, or just plain falls apart. Obedience in that service brings us into alignment with the Father’s plan to save. It puts Christ himself living in our hearts by faith. In and by him we can then find; or, properly said, choose to receive the confidence, commitment, and contentment of Christ that we desperately need. We need it to be in the world and not of it. We certainly need his imparted grace to rise above the death and darkness of this world. Father let your kingdom come.

Let us pray.

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

The peace of the Lord be always with you. 

Is there something in your life that seems impossible to do?  In Ezekiel 37:1-10 The Valley of Dry Bones 37:1 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”  4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath[a] enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.  9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.  Nothing shall be impossible to the God who gives life to dry bones and raises the dead.

In John 11:43-44 Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead saying: 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”  

Invite God to your life and he will give life to the dry bones and raise back to life the hope that has been lost.  Luke 1:37 says: 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

May God 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,

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.