Weekly Parasha: Parasha Ha'avinu & Sermon: "Elohim-Rosh Hashanah"

September 25, 2020

Shalom and Blessings

Trust that everyone enjoyed their Rosh Hashanah, we had an exceptional one. The congregations in Kenya used Zoom conference service for the first time. Members gathered at the home of our elder couple in Nairobi (Limuru) and at the home/congregation in Karatina, two hours north of Nairobi. Others that could not reach one or the other location and had Zoom access on their cell phones or had a computer, joined in from where they were. Ellen and I were able to lead complete with liturgy, praise and worship and the Torah service which was led by those in Limuru. This was a new experience for all of us and PRAISE GOD it was a beautiful, touching experience. God willing, we plan on doing it again for Yom Kippur. I know for many, you will be restricted by the difference in time zones, but if you would like to join us for Yom Kippur let us know and we will send you the link information, this time we will be using Skype. There was however, another highlight to our Rosh Hashanah. One of our members met a woman who was travelling in Kenya from the U.S., she is also a part-time resident of Israel, and brought her to the meeting. What a surprise for Ellen and me and the others as well, as we were able to share our Rosh Hashanah service with her. She was also blessed to know that there are Messianic Kenyans honoring this special appointment time with God as Messianic Believers. Needless to say we were all totally blessed.

We are now one week into the lockdown and there is still confusion about what we can and cannot do. Ellen and I are doing our best to conform to the restrictions but they change so often it is hard to keep up with them. We are taking every precaution to stay safe and sanitized and we pray that you are doing the same. We have been told that more extreme measures are on their way as the daily contagion rate hits 7,000.

Hi Ellen here…I would like to take a moment and speak with you concerning Shabbat Shuvah. Our Lord is so abounding in grace that HE gives us yet another opportunity to make Teshuvah…to return. Return to where and return from where??? God speaks to us very clearly in Hosea, the Haftarah, in that He will help us to return from sin to dwelling under the shadow of His wings. In Hosea, chapter 14 verse 5 He says… I will remedy their backsliding; I will love them freely, for My wrath has turned away from them." Shabbat Shuvah is just that, a Shabbat. The Lord desires that we rest in Him and return in His love…stop worrying, stop toiling and stop working towards repentance. Come to your Abba, confess and He forgives…never to remember your backsliding.