A blessed Easter and reflections on the past months
Dear Life Center Family,
As the joyous celebration of Easter has come and gone, I extend my warmest wishes and prayers to each of you for a truly blessed and joy-filled holiday. May this Easter season be a time of renewal, hope, and deep spiritual reflection for all of us.
Before we delve into the happenings of the past few months, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for each one of you. You are a blessing to our mission, embodying God’s grace in our community. Your constant care fortifies us, reminding us of the strength found in unity. Thank you for your constant care for our mission.
Union of Churches
What could be better than unity among all nations of the world? Knowing we can’t do that exactly, we decided to opt to the closest option.
In recognition of the crucial role leaders play in guiding our churches, we recently hosted two separate enlightening conference days , featuring Pastor Thomas Lohnke, Pastor Keith Trump, Pastor Keith Hershey. These gatherings provided a platform for leaders from diverse backgrounds to come together, sharing insights and renewing their sense of purpose and strength in ministry through fellowship and shared learning.
Valentines Day
Marriages are a sacred bond, blessed by God. In recognition of this divine gift, we were honoured to organize a special Valentine’s Day gathering for the cherished couples within our church community.
This event served not only as a celebration of love but also as a testament to the strength and beauty found in the union of souls under God's guidance.
Kingdom Fiesta
One of the most eagerly anticipated celebrations of the year unfolded as hundreds gathered to experience a captivating display of folklore dances, each showcasing the vibrant cultures of various countries. The youth presented a poignant drama that conveyed the powerful message of salvation and underscored the significance of the church in our lives.
Beyond mere festivities, the Kingdom Fiesta became a profound celebration of our shared heritage and faith. Through prayers, dances, and fellowship, it served as a reminder of the importance of unity amidst diversity.
Mother's Day
Every mother deserves to be appreciated on this special day, which is why we celebrated Mother's Day at the Life institute, inviting nearly 100 mothers to join us for a heartfelt gathering of worship and sharing the word of God.
Together we crafted beautiful flowers for them to take home, followed by a delightful coffee and croissant gathering.
Palm Sunday
In just seven days, profound events unfolded, beginning with Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Our church service was a stirring testament to His journey, marked by uplifting worship songs and an inspiring message. Following our time together, we embarked on our traditional walk through the Bourj Hammoud area, where our worship, praise and families’ joyous shouts “Hosanna!” spilled onto the streets.
Easter Sunday Preparations
Our youth helped with preparations for our Sunday breakfast, while our older church members and Life Center staff were preparing a traditional Lebanese dessert “Maamoul”
The youth had put worship on and were painting eggs together. It was a truly joyous and heart-warming sight to see our youth in such unity with so much love for one another.
Maundy Thursday
What a profoundly blessed day it was! Following our worship, we delved into the rich traditions of Passover, exploring the deep meanings and symbolic parallels between the Old and New Testaments. After the teachings, we washed each other’s feet, intertwining our prayers with acts of service. This experience fostered an extraordinary sense of bonding, unity and humility among our members.
Good Friday
A day to remember Jesus' pain and his mercy for us. We screened the movie "The Passion of The Christ" for everyone to witness and reflect upon what Jesus endured for our sake. Following the screening, we engaged in heartfelt worship, interspersed with small Bible readings and teachings to deepen our understanding and appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice. We also had papers, pens and candles prepared for members to symbolically burn things that were keeping them away from Christ; their sins, their weaknesses etc. As a way of giving everything to him. It was a truly moving and spiritually enriching experience for all who attended.
Easter Sunday
The grave is empty, he is risen!
What better way to commence this joyous day than with breakfast and fellowship. Following the morning meal, we gathered at the church, where our choir, under the direction of Maestro Camille Hanna, delivered a stirring praise and worship session filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Before delving into the enlightening message, our youth presented a meticulously crafted drama depicting the resurrection of Christ, showcasing their dedication and talent.
Let’s reflect on the essence of this season: gratitude. Let’s cherish the sacrifice of our Saviour and the boundless love that surrounds us.
Remembering Psalm 118:24, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”, let’s rejoice in each day as a gift from the Lord.
May gratitude fill our hearts as we embrace the hope and renewal Easter brings.
Blessings,
Said Dib
Life Center, Beirut