Matthew 6:10 – “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in experience of God’s blessings on his churc earth, as it is in heaven.” the statistics of the 2023 census of the Churc
earth, as it is in heaven.”
in our Parish last month shows:
While growing up as a child, I desired to have a good life, free of troubles as everyone would wish, but I soon realised that I live in a 1. The average attendance has now incr world where there will be trouble, but I have a God who has 2. We had 1 Baptism in 2023 overcome the world with its trouble and promised to give me His 3. The average number of children in o peace (John 16: 33). The Lord teaches us to continually pray for H4. B ble study has been running week i s Kingdom to be established, a statement Jesus made in a very people in attendance. popular prayer which we pray at every worship – “thy Kingdom In 2023 we had a week of mission across come, thy will be done” (Matthew 6: 10). Paul the Apostle tells us gospel was preached, there were communi more about God’s Kingdom that “the kingdom of God is not eating which included a coronation lunch in the ch and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy involved in John Weir's gospel mission in t Spirit” (Romans 14: 17). The Kingdom of God is the reign of God’s This year we have financially suppo righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. organisations including a new one in ou This has been the main theme of our message to you in the year Fibrosis Northern Ireland (PFNI).
- We have earnestly sought in prayer that the Kingdom of For all these, we are thankful to God and t God’s righteousness will be established among us, that we will various ministries and development in the P
I would like to say thank you to every leader and volunteer of
different ministry groups within the parish. Many thanks to Edna, Alma, and the choir members. A special thanks to the outgoing vestry members. Thank you to the Rector’s churchwarden, the People’s churchwarden, the Rector’s glebe warden, the People glebe warden, the Honorary Secretary, and the Honorary treasurer. I want to thank every member of the congregation for all your support and kindness to our ministry.
As we look forward to electing new members of the Select vestry and trustees of this great parish, I want us to be encouraged that the presence of the Lord is with us. Therefore, let us allow the Spirit of God to guide our decision in choosing, let us refrain from allowing personal feelings to direct our choices and nomination.
I pray that the Lord bless his church, and grow his Kingdom filled with His Righteousness, His peace and joy in the Holy Spirit in this new year and beyond. Amen.
Rev. George O. Okikiolu.