Title : Answering God’s Call
My brothers and sisters,
Neither the boy Samuel or the adult Philip, called by God and Jesus respectively, were ordinary servants. Samuel who was more than an ordinary servant, was called by God as a boy while he served under the guidance of Eli in the Temple. Samuel fulfilled the following roles in the life of Israel; He was a Judge, a military leader, seer, prophet, king maker, priest and a loyal servant of God. He played a significant role in Israel’s transition from the judges to the monarchy. He anointed both Saul and David as kings in Israel. In 1 Samuel Chapter 3, Samuel is a model of one who is completely responsive and obedient to God’s call with his response, “Speak Lord your servant is listening.” This demonstrates that our response to God’s call should be two-fold - active listening and obedient action.
This is also evident in the call of Philip, who responded immediately to Jesus’ invitation to, “follow me.” Instantly after this he found Nathaniel and told him, “We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). This demonstrates Philip’s willingness to communicate the good news of Jesus’ coming, which would indicate that Philip was more than an ordinary servant; he was a great evangelist. As we reflect on the call of Samuel and Philip, let us ask ourselves: “How and where is God calling us to be and go?”
The following from Oswald Chambers, author and preacher, is instructive:
The call is God’s idea, not our idea, only on looking back over the path of obedience do we realize what is the idea of God; when we hear the call of God, it is not for us to dispute with God, and arrange to obey him, if he will expound the meaning of His call to us. As long as we insist on having the call expounded to us, we will never obey; but when we obey, it is expounded, and looking back there comes a chuckle of confidence,
“He has done everything well.”
Brothers and sisters, young and not so young, God is calling you. I hope you can say like Samuel, “Speak Lord your servant is listening” or like Philip, to follow immediately and to seek out someone to join you in following Christ.
Blessings and may God give you the strength and faith to respond.
Yours in Christ,
Patrick+
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Laetare Sunday pauses Lent to rejoice in hope and light. It reminds us of Christ’s coming resurrection and calls the Church to nurture faith with compassion.
God provides living water through Jesus Christ. Those who come to Jesus and believe in Him will have their spiritual thirst satisfied and receive eternal life.
God’s love, shown in Jesus, offers eternal life and calls us to love God and one another as we journey through the Lenten season.
Lent is a 40-day season of preparation, repentance, and renewal, rooted in early Church practice, calling Christians to self-reflection, baptismal readiness, and almsgiving.
Looking to God, not the mountains, we find help. In silence and solitude, we feel God’s love and are shaped to live love over power.
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Jesus’ Beatitudes provides us a manifesto for Christian living, revealing God’s favor, our calling in Christ, and attitudes shaped by grace.
Next to Easter, Epiphany is the oldest season of the Church year, and the Day of Epiphany is one of the Church’s great festivals.
It is with mixed emotions that we welcome the New Year, 2026, after the western part of our island experienced the devastation of the Category 5 hurricane Melissa.
Christmas embodies hope, peace, joy and love, reminding us God works through humility, sustains us in hardship, and offers hope and peace to all.
Faith and Politics: Rev. Peter Espeut to Lead St. Luke’s Annual Lecture on the Church’s Role in Society
Laetare Sunday pauses Lent to rejoice in hope and light. It reminds us of Christ’s coming resurrection and calls the Church to nurture faith with compassion.
God provides living water through Jesus Christ. Those who come to Jesus and believe in Him will have their spiritual thirst satisfied and receive eternal life.
God’s love, shown in Jesus, offers eternal life and calls us to love God and one another as we journey through the Lenten season.
Lent is a 40-day season of preparation, repentance, and renewal, rooted in early Church practice, calling Christians to self-reflection, baptismal readiness, and almsgiving.
Looking to God, not the mountains, we find help. In silence and solitude, we feel God’s love and are shaped to live love over power.
Discover how Jesus’ call to be salt and light shapes discipleship beyond Sunday worship, uniting faith, service, and witness at St. Luke’s Church.
Jesus’ Beatitudes provides us a manifesto for Christian living, revealing God’s favor, our calling in Christ, and attitudes shaped by grace.
Next to Easter, Epiphany is the oldest season of the Church year, and the Day of Epiphany is one of the Church’s great festivals.
It is with mixed emotions that we welcome the New Year, 2026, after the western part of our island experienced the devastation of the Category 5 hurricane Melissa.
Christmas embodies hope, peace, joy and love, reminding us God works through humility, sustains us in hardship, and offers hope and peace to all.
Advent calls us to Emmanuel—God with us—bringing hope after Hurricane Melissa as we share Christ’s love through compassion and service.
On this Third Sunday of Advent, let us focus on Joy rooted in Emmanuel - God with us - who brings hope, healing, and light beyond suffering.
Second Sunday of Advent: a message of Peace, Hope, and Christ’s presence as we rebuild after Hurricane Melissa and renew our mission as God’s people.
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In a year of loss after Hurricane Melissa, we give thanks for life, courage, and resilience, trusting Christ the King who reigns and restores amid our trials.
Amid the hurricane devastation, we cling to God’s steadfast love, support affected communities, give relief, pray, and trust that His goodness will rebuild and renew Jamaica.
Though Hurricane Melissa brought devastation, we stand united in faith, hope, and love - trusting God to restore, rebuild, and renew us.
On All Saints’ Day, amid Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, we find hope that faith endures, love rebuilds, and that God and the Saints strengthen us to rise again.
Aging isn’t decline - it is growth. Like Paul, keep learning, stay courageous, and live with purpose, faith, and a renewed spirit at every age.
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Faith and Politics: Rev. Peter Espeut to Lead St. Luke’s Annual Lecture on the Church’s Role in Society
Laetare Sunday pauses Lent to rejoice in hope and light. It reminds us of Christ’s coming resurrection and calls the Church to nurture faith with compassion.
God provides living water through Jesus Christ. Those who come to Jesus and believe in Him will have their spiritual thirst satisfied and receive eternal life.
God’s love, shown in Jesus, offers eternal life and calls us to love God and one another as we journey through the Lenten season.
Lent is a 40-day season of preparation, repentance, and renewal, rooted in early Church practice, calling Christians to self-reflection, baptismal readiness, and almsgiving.
Looking to God, not the mountains, we find help. In silence and solitude, we feel God’s love and are shaped to live love over power.
Discover how Jesus’ call to be salt and light shapes discipleship beyond Sunday worship, uniting faith, service, and witness at St. Luke’s Church.
Jesus’ Beatitudes provides us a manifesto for Christian living, revealing God’s favor, our calling in Christ, and attitudes shaped by grace.
Next to Easter, Epiphany is the oldest season of the Church year, and the Day of Epiphany is one of the Church’s great festivals.
It is with mixed emotions that we welcome the New Year, 2026, after the western part of our island experienced the devastation of the Category 5 hurricane Melissa.
Christmas embodies hope, peace, joy and love, reminding us God works through humility, sustains us in hardship, and offers hope and peace to all.
Advent calls us to Emmanuel—God with us—bringing hope after Hurricane Melissa as we share Christ’s love through compassion and service.
On this Third Sunday of Advent, let us focus on Joy rooted in Emmanuel - God with us - who brings hope, healing, and light beyond suffering.
Second Sunday of Advent: a message of Peace, Hope, and Christ’s presence as we rebuild after Hurricane Melissa and renew our mission as God’s people.
A reflection on the First Sunday of Advent—celebrating hope, Christ’s coming, and faith that sustains us through challenges like Hurricane Melissa.
In a year of loss after Hurricane Melissa, we give thanks for life, courage, and resilience, trusting Christ the King who reigns and restores amid our trials.
Amid the hurricane devastation, we cling to God’s steadfast love, support affected communities, give relief, pray, and trust that His goodness will rebuild and renew Jamaica.
Though Hurricane Melissa brought devastation, we stand united in faith, hope, and love - trusting God to restore, rebuild, and renew us.
On All Saints’ Day, amid Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, we find hope that faith endures, love rebuilds, and that God and the Saints strengthen us to rise again.
Aging isn’t decline - it is growth. Like Paul, keep learning, stay courageous, and live with purpose, faith, and a renewed spirit at every age.
Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit renews, empowers, and unites us to boldly live and share God’s love in the world.
Faith and Politics: Rev. Peter Espeut to Lead St. Luke’s Annual Lecture on the Church’s Role in Society
Laetare Sunday pauses Lent to rejoice in hope and light. It reminds us of Christ’s coming resurrection and calls the Church to nurture faith with compassion.
God provides living water through Jesus Christ. Those who come to Jesus and believe in Him will have their spiritual thirst satisfied and receive eternal life.
God’s love, shown in Jesus, offers eternal life and calls us to love God and one another as we journey through the Lenten season.
Lent is a 40-day season of preparation, repentance, and renewal, rooted in early Church practice, calling Christians to self-reflection, baptismal readiness, and almsgiving.
Looking to God, not the mountains, we find help. In silence and solitude, we feel God’s love and are shaped to live love over power.
Discover how Jesus’ call to be salt and light shapes discipleship beyond Sunday worship, uniting faith, service, and witness at St. Luke’s Church.
Jesus’ Beatitudes provides us a manifesto for Christian living, revealing God’s favor, our calling in Christ, and attitudes shaped by grace.
Next to Easter, Epiphany is the oldest season of the Church year, and the Day of Epiphany is one of the Church’s great festivals.
It is with mixed emotions that we welcome the New Year, 2026, after the western part of our island experienced the devastation of the Category 5 hurricane Melissa.
Christmas embodies hope, peace, joy and love, reminding us God works through humility, sustains us in hardship, and offers hope and peace to all.
