The Archbishop of the Province of Alexandria of the Anglican Episcopal Church in Egypt participated in the spiritual day organized by the Sudanese Ministry of the Episcopal Church, with the participation of servants and pastors from various denominations, on the occasion of the New Year celebration. The event was attended by Archdeacon Yasser Koko, Archdeacon of the Sudanese Ministry in Egypt, and the Rev. Medhat Sabry, Pastor of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Menouf, and was held at All Saints’ Cathedral in Zamalek.
In his reflection, the Archbishop said: In the Epistle to the Hebrews, God declares an unchanging and decisive promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” All the promises of the Holy Bible are personal messages addressed to us, expressing God’s constant care and unfailing providence. At the beginning of a new year, the Lord offers us four biblical promises that renew hope and affirm His presence with us.
The first promise: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” It is a divine declaration that God does not leave us at the end of a year or at its beginning, but walks with us until He fulfills all that He has spoken to us. Therefore, we enter the new year with confidence, knowing that God is faithful to His promises and never abandons His children.
He continued: The second promise confirms the same meaning: “Do not be afraid or discouraged… I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God repeats His promise to dispel fear and plant reassurance in our hearts, especially as we face a new year with its challenges. The third promise is a call to everyone entrusted by God with ministry: “Be strong and courageous, and do the work.” The Lord does not ask us to build stones, but to build living churches that serve, love, and bear witness. Everyone whom God calls to ministry is accompanied by His power and is not left to labor alone.
He added: The fourth promise is, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” This was the motto lived by the believers of the early Church and renewed by the writer of Hebrews to encourage believers in every age. This promise transcends time and place, and its power lies in God Himself being with us in all circumstances. We may experience loss, loneliness, burdens, and worries, but the divine promise remains firm: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Therefore, we continue in faith, service, and hope, confident that He who promised is faithful and always with us.
Archdeacon Yasser concluded by addressing the servants and pastors: We lift our hearts in thanksgiving to God for you and for your ministries, thanking the Lord for your love, faithfulness, and active participation in service. We pray that the birth of Christ may renew hope and strength in your lives, and that the new year may bring deeper and greater usefulness for His Church and for the glory of His Name.