As we once again approach the holy season of Christmas, my heart is filled with gratitude for each one of you. This blessed time of year invites us to pause from the busyness of daily life and to reflect on the profound mystery of God’s love made visible in the birth of Jesus Christ.

In the Christ Child, we see a light that no darkness can overcome—a light that brings hope to the weary, peace to the troubled, and joy to all who welcome Him. May this light shine brightly in your homes and hearts throughout this season and into the new year.

I want to extend my sincere appreciation for the kindness, generosity, and faith you have shown throughout the past year. Whether through your prayers, your service, or your presence in our parish family, you help make our community a true reflection of Christ’s love.

As we gather to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, may you and your loved ones be blessed with deep peace, renewed hope, and the comforting closeness of God. Let us continue to walk together in faith, supporting one another and sharing the Good News with all whom we encounter.

Wishing you a joyous, grace-filled Christmas and a blessed New Year.

With prayer and gratitude,

The Rev. Amirold Lazard, Your Pastor

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“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. 1 (Thessalonians 5,18)

Dear Beloved Members of The Church of The Nativity,
As we approach this season of Thanksgiving, my heart is full of gratitude for each of you. This year has brought its share of challenges and triumphs, yet through it all, we have remained united in faith, love, and purpose.

I thank God daily for the gift of this church family. Your prayers, your service, your generosity, and your unwavering commitment to Christ continue to inspire me. Whether you’ve been worshiping with us for decades or just joined our fellowship, you are a vital part of the body of Christ here at The Church of The Nativity.

Let us take this time to remember the countless blessings we have received—not just the ones we can count, but the ones we feel: peace in the storm, joy in the journey, and hope for what is to come. May your homes be filled with laughter, your tables with abundance, and your hearts with the presence of the Lord. May the gap left by a loved one at your table and/or in your heart be filled by the Holy Ghost. Give thanks in all circumstances!

On behalf of the church leadership, thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. I look forward to all that God will do through us in the days ahead.

With love and thanksgiving,

The Rev. Amirold Lazard, Incumbent

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Homecoming invitation

“O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” (Psalm 95,6-7a)

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

It is with great joy I am inviting you to the Homecoming 2025. Come, let us worship together. Let us sing to the Lord for the great things He has done for us!

Last year, I invited you to come out, and many had responded positively to the call, joining us and putting a hand to the work. We give thanks to the Lord for that. But others still prefer to worship remotely. We send the invitation of this year with hope and expectation that those who are afraid of in person gathering will find confidence to come, trusting in the promise of God who said, “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

During the past year, we had a few departed in our church family, and an increase in the list of the sick and shut ins. We do not stop praying for them. Also, we are grateful to God for sending new members to our family. To the sick and shut ins, I reassure continuous prayers for an unwavering faith to continue to adore the Lord just as you are, and to count on His loving care.

Beloved, if you received the grace of being healthy, I invite you to come out on this Homecoming Sunday, September 14, 2025, and remain with us to support our huge work by your presence. Remember, the church cannot function with your treasure only, but also with your time and your talent. “O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.”

May the Lord bless you all!

Your servant,

The Rev. Amirold Lazard

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To the beloved of the Church of the Nativity Malvern – Easter 2025

Woman, why are you weeping? (John 20,13b)

Beloved in Christ, I was about to prepare this letter when I heard about the news of a mother in Mirebalais, Haiti, who wanted to flee with her two-year-old daughter on an open pickup truck. She put the child on the truck first, and while she was trying to get on board, the driver drove away because he heard a shooting nearby, for the gangs invaded the city, killing people, burning houses, destroying everything they found in their way. The mother does not know the name of the driver, nor where he went. I imagine her standing, confused, weeping, and waiting desperately, for someone who can help her find her baby. But she found no one, as the psalmist wrote: “I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I could find no one”. (Ps 69,22).

You can imagine the consternation of Mary Magdalene near the tomb of Jesus. She was already mourning the tragic death of her Master, but she kept within herself a remnant of hope to find consolation by admiring and anointing the body of Jesus for an ultimate time. But the experience of the empty tomb consumed all her hope. She was weeping, desolated, when the angel addressed her with this question: “woman why are you weeping?”

I imagine also those people who are carrying heavy burdens, parents who cannot meet the needs of their children, those who cannot pay their bills, others who are sick, and others who are traumatized because of gun violence, and consequently have lost the taste of a good life. They need a voice to ask them “Hey, why are you weeping?  How can I help you?” These inquiries can significantly impact the lives of individuals, particularly if you demonstrate empathy through actions designed to alleviate their discomfort.

Beloved, we know what you are enduring. But we want you also to know that in the midst of your sufferings, your consolation is there. [Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Ps 30,5). “When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there”. (John 29,14a)]. …Just turn around you will see Jesus standing right there.  He is the faithful friend who will join you at the most somber moment of your life.

As we are entering in the joy of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, may the joy of the Lord give you strength, – “and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”. (Nehemiah 8,10b).  May everyone whom this message finds happy and robust be filled with more joy and, let them rise and go forth towards those who are thirsty for a message of consolation, and tell them “Christ is risen, Alleluia!”

Happy Easter!

Yours in Christ

The Rev. Amirold Lazard

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“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God”. 1 Thessalonians 5,18; Hebrews 13:16.

Siblings in Christ,

It is with great joy I greet you today in the mighty name of Jesus. I hope this letter finds you well or will contribute to bring you wellness in the Same name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Few weeks ago, I sent you a letter for the “Homecoming Service”, inviting all of you to come to worship together. By doing so, I was grieved when I remembered some of you would not be able to make it because of illness. I knew you would love to come but your body would not cooperate, as it is written in Matthew 26,41 “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”.  However, I rejoice because I know your spirit is always with us and your faith remains healthy. I pray that the Lord keep you in his favour. I congratulate and thank all of you who have come out that day to worship together, especially those we had not seen for a while, while we continue to pray for those who are sick or/and shut in.

Now we are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is celebrated in numerous countries around the world. The origin and the meaning are different, but they are all celebrating <<gratitude>>.  I am sending you this letter to invite you once again, as you do every year – and you know how to do it! Hats up! – to join with us to give thanks to the Lord on Sunday, October 13^th, 2024, at 10:00 AM.

The same way the origin and the meaning of Thanksgiving are different in the countries, the reasons of giving thanks to the Lord vary within us also. But the good thing is that everybody has a reason to be thankful for even amid sufferings: For the breath of life, your good health, your food; your home, your family, your friends, etc. Give thanks in all circumstances.

Beloved, as we are encouraged to give thanks in all circumstances, let us also show gratefulness in every way, by our songs of praise, our offerings, our acts of generosity, as the apostle eagerly encouraged the early Christians: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God”

As you will gather with families and friends to celebrate, do not forget to make the Lord your first guest.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Your servant,

Incumbent
The Rev. Lazard

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Dear friends in Christ, it is Summer and the weather is HOT HOT HOT!!!!

School is over for the season and the teachers get a break to take vacation. Students go to camp, friends host BBQ gatherings, families and friends tend to travel to visit relatives and friends. It is an exciting time of the year when we take a moment for ourselves so we can enjoy the summer and prepare ourselves  to be ready for the lovely Canadian cold in the Fall/Winter.

It is also important to allow ourselves some time to rejoice and rejuvenate. Let everyone do what makes them happy. This is a way to avoid and fight stress, anxiety and illness.

While we go on vacation and relax, we think of our sisters and brothers who are suffering, and those who are shut in and can’t navigate the nice weather and the beauty of the nature.  As a community of faith, we believe a day is coming where we will be all rejoicing in the love of God.

We are glad to share with you, some achievements and what is going on at our church from January to date.

• We have seen our congregation grow even though we still suffer from some of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The average attendance in person on Sundays is about one hundred (100) parishioners. This includes welcoming new members and families to the church from time to time.
• We assure that the connection is kept with our church family by visits, phone calls or both.
• We have upgraded our audiovisual system within the last little while to facilitate those who cannot join us in person and allows them to participate in the service without any issues.
• The Men’s and Women’s ministry recently honoured some of the seniors/elders of the church, and many more activities within the different ministries.
• We continue to move ourselves and our minds into a more prayerful church focusing on our work and each other. As a result, and accordingly to the spiritual renewal launched in the diocese earlier this year, we have started a weekday service on Wednesdays. Every Wednesday at noon, with the Eucharist every other Wednesday, this new ministry has seen an increase of participants. In this service we share reflections on the readings, testimonies and we pray for each other, the church and the world.

Be well, stay safe and enjoy the summer. While we continue to hold our regular service on Sundays, for those who haven’t been to church since the pandemic was lifted, this may be a good time to start making plans to come back out to church in the Fall. Feel free to come in your mask or without your mask. We would welcome you.

Looking forward to seeing all of you in person.

~

Incumbent
The Rev. Lazard

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Sisters and brothers, the Great Family of the Church of the Nativity, robust, and sick, and shut ins,

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

I feel honoured to address you on this day. I know the joy and the pain of each you, and I share them with you, praying our good God to strengthen those who rejoice and relieve the pain of those who suffer in their bodies and/or in their spirits.

To prepare the celebration of Easter, the triumph of life over death, the church has been invited to observe a holy Lent by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and by reading and meditating on the word of God.

Some of you have responded to this invitation, committing themselves to prayer, Bible study, deep reflection, and other spiritual activities, individually or/and in groups, in quest of a betterment and a solution for themselves and for their loved ones in their problems.  But others were unable to respond duly to the invitation because of their ongoing illness and pain. Others have been enduring the impact of the difficulties of the era, the evildoing in our societies, and the bad news around the world that troubled the serenity and the faith of many.

As it is written in the Psalm 130,5: “My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning”, we have not ceased to count on God and wait for His help. Keep your faith unwavering, my beloved! As Jesus said, “let not your hearts be troubled”. Your deliverance is here!

As for the Ladies who were walking desperately toward the tomb of Jesus, the message of consolation has come to you my brother/sister: “Be not alarmed!” Whatever the situation you are undergoing: anxiety, sufferings, deceptions, etc. Jesus has vanquished all by his mighty resurrection. A new life has been won for you and for me.

Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving. (Psalm 95,1-2).

Alleluia Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!

Happy Easter!

I look forward to rejoicing with you in the Celebration of the New Ministry on April 14^th.

Your servant,
The Rev. Amirold Lazard

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