Hey sheep and fishermen!!

…a priest dips his right thumb in the ashes and, making the sign of the Cross on each person's forehead, says, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."…

This is the scene that will take place in many Catholic churches next Wednesday. The event is called Ash Wednesday and it is celebrated to remind parishioners of their own mortality and calls them to repentance in view of Easter approaching. In the early Church, Ash Wednesday was the day on which those who had sinned, and who wished to be readmitted to the Church, would begin their public penance. The ashes represents the people's sinfulness, and many will leave the ash Cross sign on their foreheads all day as a sign of humility [1].

As a church, like many other evangelical and protestant churches, MCBC has never celebrated Ash Wednesday but definitely the call to repentance is one that all Christians need to consider seriously, all day and every day. So in light of Easter approaching and the importance of that event we will start a new series on Repentance and Christ (often known as the season of Lent) to help us deepen our walk and commitment with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and prepare to celebrate Him and the good news of Easter.

…in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit…

[1] http://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/Ash_Wednesday.htm
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Exposed by His blood,
Rici
Associate Pastor – English-Speaking Congregation
Montreal Chinese Baptist Church
3567 St. Urbain st.
Montreal, QC,
H2X 2N6

Office: 514.845.6531
Fax: 514.845.8636

Hey spiritual athletes of MCBC!

Have you ever run in a race? Competed in a tournament? Battled in a cook-off? Trained for a show? Studied for a big final? Slaved over what you want to buy your spouse for Valentines’ Day/anniversary?

How is is that a runner can drag themselves through the last mile when their legs are gone? How is it that a person can keep competing when their body are sore? How is it that a cook/baker can keep cooking when their fingers have cuts and hands burnt? How is it that dancers can still dance even with broken toe nails and bruises everywhere? How is it that students can pull all-nighters and study through sickness? How is it that a spouse can spend hours preparing a special meal or work extra long hours and save up for a special gift? Why can we make ourselves do certain things and push ourselves while we struggle to accomplish (let alone even just be consistent doing) so many other things?

All of this to ask ourselves: How can we be expected to be good, growing, thriving disciples all our lives through hardship, suffering, trials, low points, even lower points…How are we supposed to be keep running the race and invite others to run with us?

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Saint Paul teaches us about self-discipline. A glimpse into his reflections on how he could do all he did for the cause of Christ. Exciting new message as we continue our series on Sheep & Fishermen.

PS. here’s a sneek peek of our sister Apple’s 3D rendition of our church theme…MAD PROPS APPLE!!!

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Exposed by His blood,
Rici