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Videos of Christians forgiving IS go viral in the Arab world

The SAT-7 Egypt Director sees impact of “Resistance through forgiveness.”

Videos of a 10-year-old Iraqi displaced by Islamic State (IS/ISIS) and of a brother of two Egyptian labourers beheaded in Libya both voicing forgiveness for their persecutors have been watched by a million viewers and drawn the attention of mainstream Arab media which rarely covers Christian news.

Farid Samir said, “These clips provide a counter-shock to the horrifying videos of killings that people receive on mainstream media and to their effect on viewers. Myriam’s and Beshir’s calls are a form of resistance through forgiveness. Forgiveness is the core of the Christian message and the core of the message of SAT-7 at a time when mainstream media avoids reporting on Christians.”

Please use the link below to view the full article and the video clips:

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=c9050727faac9e308bf3ba305&id=28c2a65e36&e=e06a23e9ff

 

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Breaking News – Egyptian Response to Slaughter.

Coptic martyrs icon

“Dear friends,
This is a very sad time in Egypt where we are in seven days of official mourning for the 21 young Christian men who were brutally slaughtered by ISIS in Libya on Sunday (22 February)…..”

So begins a letter from Ramez Atallah, General Director of The Bible Society of Egypt. If you do not know about this atrocity, please read the attached letter, and hopefully you too will be moved and strengthened by its contents.

Two-Lines-English – Egyptian Martyrs

Egyptian Response to 2 rows walking

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SOMA Mission to Uganda

In May, four members of St Barnabas Church will be going on a Mission to Uganda, with SOMA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad). Stephen Dinsmore, National Director of SOMA UK, preached at St Barnabas on 15th February, sharing the vision of SOMA and praying for the team members.
Rev Canon Derek Smith is the team leader, who has led a number of other teams in Nigeria and Kenya. Please use the link below to view the leaflet for further information.
SOMA-Leaflet-2015 pdf
Please pray for this Mission and give towards the costs if you are moved to do so. Thank you.
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Blankets created for Mother Teresa Orphanage in Baghdad

Remembering Trees Project.

As part of a Diocesan project, many of our members and friends were busy knitting squares which were then made into blankets.  This project was called Remembering Trees, as the squares were dedicated to loved ones and used to decorate trees – in the case of St Barnabas’ the large tree in the courtyard at the back of the church.  When completed, some of the blankets were taken to Synod where other churches in the Diocese also brought blankets that they had made.  In total twenty one blankets were taken for a Mother Teresa orphanage for severely handicapped children and young people in Baghdad – one for each of them. Some have gone to an orphanage in Kenya, others to the needy in Cyprus

The photos show some of the blankets displayed at Synod.

IMG_0959        IMG_0958

Other blankets made by St Barnabas’ will be donated to local charities through​​ Caritas who​ support migrant families in the local area .

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Christmas Bazaar, Saturday 29th November 2014

The annual St Barnabas Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday 29th November from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Father Christmas arrives at 11:00 a.m. and you can visit him in his Grotto.  This is always a popular event and provides fun for all the family.

As well as Santa, there will be a raffle (first prize €300), games, stalls, refreshments and entertainment.  Come along and join us in a fun day.

Xmas Bazaar 2014 poster 1

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Children and Young People at St. Barnabas Summer / Autumn 2014

We welcome children and young people to our church.

We meet at 10:00 a.m. in Church, then different groups ake place.

See the weekly Notice Sheet for more derails, especially the Pancake Party!

Please use the link below to access the details of our Sunday activities:

Website Junior & Youth Church 2014

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Auction of Gifts and Promises

An Auction of Gifts and Promises will be helod on Wednesday 11th June 2014 following the Patronal Festival Service at 6:00 p.m..

The viewing of the Gifts and Promises begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Auction beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m.

The auction will be around the tree behind the Church building.

There will be a finger buffet available please bring your own drinks.

auction of promises poster

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Cyprus Musical Ministry: Two Sisters and a Funeral

Friday 22nd November at St Barnabas, Limassol

The musical is based on the story of Lazarus and you can take part in this, with Roger Jones, the well known composer of the musical, who is flying over from UK with a team. The amazing thing is that you only need to come to three rehearsals, including one on the actual day of the performance, with Roger Jones himself. All you have to do is get the CD, and score, if you wish, listen and sing along in the car and turn up for the rehearsals.

Some mums have asked if children and young people can take part – and we would love to have them. Make sure they learn the songs and practise before the rehearsals.

two-sisters-and-a-funeral

Get your CD!

Practice in the car!

Come along to a few rehearsals and

Take part on the night!

Learn the words and music with a CD for voice – soprano, alto, tenor or bass.  CD’s are available from St Barnabas’ church, price 1 euro each. Score is available from Derek price 6 euros – email Derek Smith at stbac@spidernet.com.cy to say which voice version you require.

Rehearsal times

at St Barnabas Anglican Church, Limassol

  • Friday 8 Nov: Sopranos 6.00-7.30
  • Saturday 9 Nov: Altos 6.00-7.30
  • Friday 15 Nov: Tenors 6.00-7.30
  • Saturday 16 Nov: Basses 6.00-7.30
  • Sunday 17 Nov: ALL 3.00-4.30

Download the Programme

Limassol performance

Friday 22 November
St Barnabas Anglican Church
Performers 4pm for 7.30 performance

Island wide performance in Nicosia

Sunday 24 November
American Academy School
Performers 2pm for 5pm performance

Forgiving Others and Being Forgiven

In the spirit of Lent, we hope that this article which Reverend Deborah used for our Tuesday Prayer Fellowship will, with the prompting of the Holy Spirit, bring about healing and forgiveness.

Forgiving Others and Being Forgiven

March 3, 2020

Saint Katharine Drexel, Virgin—USA Optional Memorial

“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”  Matthew 6:14–15

This passage presents us with an ideal we must strive for.  It also presents us with the consequences if we do not strive for this ideal.  Forgive and be forgiven.  Both must be desired and sought after.

When forgiveness is properly understood, it is much easier to desire, give and receive.  When it is not properly understood, forgiveness can be seen as a confusing and heavy burden and, therefore, as something undesirable.

Perhaps the greatest challenge to the act of forgiving another is the sense of “justice” that can appear to be lost when forgiveness is given.  This is especially true when forgiveness is offered to someone who fails to ask forgiveness.  On the contrary, when one does ask for forgiveness, and expresses true remorse, it is much easier to forgive and to abandon the feeling that the offender should “pay” for what was done.  But when there is a lack of sorrow on the part of the offender, this leaves what can feel like a lack of justice if forgiveness is offered.  This can be a difficult feeling to overcome by ourselves.

It’s important to note that forgiving another does not excuse their sin.  Forgiveness does not mean that the sin did not happen or that it is OK that it happened.  Rather, forgiving another does the opposite.  Forgiving actually points to the sin, acknowledges it and makes it a central focus.  This is important to understand.  By identifying the sin that is to be forgiven, and then forgiving it, justice is done in a supernatural way.  Justice is fulfilled by mercy.  And the mercy offered has an even greater effect on the one offering mercy than the one it is offered to.

By offering mercy for the sin of another, we become freed of the effects of their sin.  Mercy is a way for God to remove this hurt from our lives and free us to encounter His mercy all the more by the forgiveness of our own sins for which we could never deserve on our own effort.

It’s also important to note that forgiving another does not necessarily result in reconciliation.  Reconciliation between the two can only happen when the offender accepts the forgiveness offered after humbly admitting their sin.  This humble and purifying act satisfies justice on a whole new level and enables these sins to be transformed into grace.  And once transformed, they can even go so far as to deepen the bond of love between the two.

Reflect, today, upon the person you most need to forgive.  Who is it and what have they done that has offended you?  Do not be afraid to offer the mercy of forgiveness and do not hesitate in doing so.  The mercy you offer will bring forth the justice of God in a way that you could never accomplish by your own efforts.  This act of forgiving also frees you from the burden of that sin, and enables God to forgive you of your sins.

Lord, I am a sinner who is in need of Your mercy.  Help me to have a heart of true sorrow for my sins and to turn to You for that grace.  As I seek Your mercy, help me to also forgive the sins that others have committed against me.  I do forgive.  Help that forgiveness to enter deep into my whole being as an expression of Your holy and Divine Mercy.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Amen