April 2021
Good Friday and Easter Services
We are thankful to our God and Father that, despite the continual restrictions in Lombardy, our church was able to hold a special service on Good Friday and have our regular worship service on Easter Sunday. For Good Friday, we have developed the tradition of having seven readings from the gospel on the passion of Christ, read by seven different men from the congregation. Each of these readings is followed by a corresponding hymn. I then preached a short meditation on the meaning of the cross. The elders and I were encouraged that the service was well attended and had several visitors. It was a tremendous blessing to be together on such a solemn occasion. On Easter Sunday, I preached on the resurrection of Christ from Luke 24 and the living hope that God has provided to us by defeating death.
Catechism Service and Friday Night Bible Study Remain Online
For the time being, our Catechism Service on Sunday afternoons and our Friday Night Bible Study remain on zoom. While we eagerly look forward to the day when these meetings will be in person, the one advantage to holding them on zoom is that several Italian-speakers outside of Milan join us regularly. We have people from Mantova, Lake Como, Turin, Rome and even Ukraine who connect with us on zoom for teaching, discussion and prayer. As much as we miss being together in person, we are grateful that these dear brothers and sisters from other areas are able to join us virtually.
New Members Course
I am happy to announce that we currently have five people taking our new members course. All of these prospective new members are in their twenties, and four of them are graduate students who have recently moved to Milan. Thank you for your prayers that our church would grow, even amid the challenges of the pandemic. The Lord is answering your prayers for us! Please pray for these young believers that they will grow in the faith and integrate well in the congregation.
Food Distribution for the Poor and Needy
As you may have heard in the news, many people in Milan have suffered economically from the lockdowns and business closures due to the pandemic. Humanitarian organizations such as the Italian Red Cross and Pane Quotidiano have reported record-breaking numbers of people requesting aid, often forming massive lines and waiting hours to receive a simple package of food. Our church has the opportunity to help by working with the local chapter of the Italian Red Cross in food distribution to the needy in our community. We are also permitted to provide Christian literature, such as a copy of the Gospel of John, with each package. This has been a blessing for two reasons: first, as our Lord tells us, it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:25); second, it is a good testimony to our neighbors for the gospel (Matt. 5:16). We pray that our labor with the Italian Red Cross will bear fruit for the kingdom of God.
Saving for a Building Remodel
Our congregation voted to save € 35,000 to remove a wall and remodel the building, which will double our seating capacity from 60 to 120. So far, we have raised € 8,450. Increasing the seating capacity in our church is essential to our growth. We know that the pandemic will eventually subside and that 60 seats will not be sufficient if the Lord blesses us with numerical increase. Please pray that we will be able to continue saving money for the remodel during these economically difficult times.
Janie Working as an English Teacher to Foreigners
We are happy to report that, having graduated from the course through Cambridge University, Janie is now working about 30 hours per week as a private English teacher to foreigners. There is a high demand among professionals in Europe who want to improve their English for work. We are grateful for this opportunity. Moreover, when the current restrictions subside, Janie plans to offer a free course at the church that will be open to the community as a form of outreach.
Visiting the States
Janie, Iain and I are scheduled to come to Southern California during May in time for our son Isaac’s graduation from Providence Christian College. I will be preaching and giving presentations on Mission Milan at the following churches:
Escondido United Reformed Church, Escondido, CA - May 16, AM
New Life Presbyterian Church, La Mesa, CA - May 16, PM
Christ Reformed Church, Anaheim, CA - May 23, AM
First United Reformed Church, Chino, CA - May 23, PM
If you are in Southern California during these dates and able to come to one of the services, Janie and I would love to see you!
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. May the Lord continue to make his disciples and advance his kingdom in Milan, in Italy, and to the ends of the earth.
~ Pastor Mike
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” ~ Acts 20:24
If you would like to help by making a donation, you may give online here on our website or send a check to:
Escondido United Reformed Church
1864 N. Broadway
Escondido, CA 92026
Attn: Mission Milan
Checks should be made out to Escondido United Reformed Church. Please indicate that the support is for Rev. Michael Brown as a missionary to Milan, Italy.
