Month: August 2020

A PASTORAL LETTER TO MY DEAR FRIENDS:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2).

Six months ago the pandemic intruded on the peace of our lives.  And we are all aware that it has hit close to home. However, we know that our Lord remains unchanged in His power and grace.  While we remain vigilant we are reminded to respond to fear and distress with the confidence of Psalm 46:7, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

I saw a video about what we know about the virus.  It was a segment on a desert with a tumbleweed rolling along.  The point was, “the populous knows very little.”  We have a tendency to listen to what the ‘experts’ say, and (guess what!) they don’t agree. We don’t know what to believe!  Having said the obvious, let us mention what we do know.

1. “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”  That’s a great start.
2. We should take this health situation very seriously, for yourself and others.
3. We should look for opportunities to love and serve others when possible.  While being consistent with health requirements, remember the call of Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
4. We should continue to pray. Pray for our civil leaders, first responders, the vulnerable, medical personnel, school admins and teachers, parent who are making agonizing decisions about school, business owners whose livelihood is being threatened, and the employees who are without work. Let us pray for God to awaken this nation to its need to embrace Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord so that many will be saved.  Thank you for your continued prayers for your church leaders as we seek to make wise and godly decisions and to be able to respond to ministry needs that will arise.
5. We should be prepared for gospel conversations with our unsaved friends.

Last Sunday there were 57 at 9 a.m. and just under 70 at 10:45 a.m. and 60 families viewed online during the service.  If you are still tuning in online, thank you for your continued faithfulness.

Just a reminder: a smaller room on campus is available to you during the sermon for your convenience.   We continue to enjoy our singing in the courtyard. The kids love playing together on the playground.

Blessings,

Pastor Neil

A PASTORAL LETTER TO MY DEAR FRIENDS:

I just finished reading an article entitled, “Physical Presence is a Spiritual Gift” by David Kakish on the “Gospel Coalition website.

His text was taken from Paul’s introduction to the church in Rome.

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you- that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Rom 1:11-12)

Perhaps the reason Paul doesn’t specify the gift that he wants to bring them is because he himself is the gift.  He longs to be with them in the flesh.  He may not know exactly what they need; but he wants to be there for them.  As always, he’s willing to become all things to all people (1 Cor. 9:22), but he needs to be present first to determine how best to serve them.  What’s the difference between a letter and a face-to-face conversation?”  You see, one of our greatest needs may not be more information; that can be communicated a number of ways.

Christ has made us a gift to one another.  I want you to remain safe at all times.  And, while we miss each other at worship due to COVID-19, “Can we safely physically be present with a few brothers or sisters in Christ in other venues that we can control?”  We all need mutual encouragement.  So, pray with me about finding ways to be around a few Christian friends safely.

Last week I mentioned that I was invited to come to visit a family outdoors in the shade to help me with some of my sadness. Is that a possibility for you as well? BTW:  I am much better now!  Outdoors in the shade at a distance can be a spiritually and an emotionally healthy experience.  I would never encourage you to compromise your physical health. So pray and ask God how you might be a spiritual gift to another believer who is experiencing sadness.

If you were unable to be present in body on Sundays, I know you were being careful while missing your friends and extended family.  We continue to miss you.  Last Sunday there were 62 at 9 a.m. and 40 at 10:45 a.m. and 61 families viewed online during the service.  If you are still tuning in online, thank you for your continued faithfulness.

A smaller room on campus is available to you during the sermon for your convenience.  Then join us in the courtyard after the sermon to sing with the others. You know you are welcome.  The kids love playing together on the playground.  It is a great time for families with young children at home to catch up.

People continue to place safety of others by keeping the doorways free from crowds and wearing face coverings.  Thank you for fulfilling Romans 13:8 which reads, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” 

Keep encouraging one another, keep praying for each other and continue calling one another, continue being the church.

Blessings,

Pastor Neil