MAY 2022
Dear prayer companions,
In these difficult times of many fears, we are being made more aware that our true salvation is in the Lord. Therefore, as our present circumstances are teaching us to live in time keeping our eyes gazing toward eternity, we are already anticipating our full participation in the most pure and perfect City of God. Hence, as we walk through the desert of the present (but passing) age as pilgrims who share in the joys and sorrows as part of the Christian life, we continue to intercede for one another taking our respective praises and petitions to the Lord in prayer.
Baptisms
Despite the last couple of years when our evangelistic efforts have been disrupted by COVID-19, we experienced a small “internal” increase of our membership. In fact, our congregation was blessed with the birth of Elisabetta Suraci and Matilde Ferrari. On April 10th, I administered the Sacrament of Baptism to Elisabetta and Matilde, while their parents and the whole church committed themselves to raise them up in the fear of God and in the truth of the Gospel. I was particularly moved to baptize my own granddaughter Matilde, praising God for his faithfulness in our family: first toward our own parents, then to Cristina and myself, to our sons also and finally to our grandchildren!!!
Preaching and teaching ministry
In the last few months, I preached a series of topical sermons on the theme of “The Spiritual Experience of the Desert”, which seems to have brought some edification to our church members as well as to a few people living in other places who listen to the sermons online. After our morning worship services, we are also continuing our classes on the Heidelberg Catechism. God willing, in the summer, I’ll preach some sermons from the Synoptic gospels on “The Mission of Jesus According to His Own Testimony”. After that, I’ll start in September a longer expository series on the whole book of Psalms.
Visit of Simonetta Carr
At the end of April, we had the joy of having Simonetta Carr from Christ URC visiting with us, along with her husband Tom. Simonetta is an Italian native who is the author of a number of historical theology books for children and young people. She also wrote “Broken Pieces and the God who Mend Them”, a book that tells the story of her son Jonathan, who suffered from schizophrenia. On the Lord’s Day of May 1st, Simonetta and Tom worshipped with us and after the divine service, she spoke about the book and shared her family’s experience with schizophrenia and all its painful consequences. We are thankful to the Lord for the new visitors we have been receiving as well as the steadfastness of our usual attendees and members.
Please, pray with us for the following prayer requests:
pray for our covenant children and for faithfulness in raising them up in the fear of the Lord;
pray for the blessing of God upon the ministry of the Word;
pray for our witness in Perugia and in the whole region of Umbria;
lastly, pray for Cristina and myself, that I may be a faithful Christian, husband, father, grandfather, church member, and minister.
On behalf of all the members of the Chiesa Riformata of Perugia, I express a felt sense of gratitude for your faithful prayers and generous support.
Those of Italy greet you (Hebrews 13:24).
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Pastor Andrea Ferrari