Dear All
In the light of the Government announcement last night and then this further clarification https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubm2aLpmLwU during question time in Parliament, we will not be meeting on Sundays or as any other formal groups until further notice. If you want to see what the Government is trying to do graphically about reducing the peak in how many people are ill at one time then this article in the Washington Post is very useful https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ . Therefore as believers it is incumbent upon us to be good citizens at this time and follow the Governments lead.
So we will be posting our sermons online each week and will be giving you regular updates via social media and our website. We will also be posting activities for children and families to encourage you as a family to grow closer to Jesus. It is our hope that we will also be able to study scripture together, hear from God together and pray as a community from our individual homes – more to come on this. The church office will have skeleton staff and therefore we may not pick up the landline phone messages at this time, although we will do our best to respond to them from time to time. As always please feel free to contact the elders using our mobile numbers.
Importantly God was not taken by surprise by Coronavirus and this change in how we are church over the next few weeks he will use for good somehow (Rom8v28-30). As we miss our times of corporate worship and fellowship please remember those for whom this is the norm, especially those underground churches who can never meet in large gatherings, and pray God would bless them and enable them to freely worship Jesus one day soon. I am confident that the Lord has something for our church family in this; please be seeking God as to His plan for us as a church family during this time.
Let’s look out for one another in the church loving them through lots of phone calls and What’s App to check each other are well and share what God is speaking to you about. With your neighbours can I encourage you if you are up to it to drop the below card with your details on it to those that are vulnerable and may need your help. This is also a time of opportunity to share the love of Jesus and the hope of the gospel with our neighbours, friends and family- make the most of every opportunity..
Eph 5v-15-20 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. . .” Let’s use this time to worship God, study his word and seek him in prayer for us, this town, our nation and the world. Who knows what God is wanting to do in our nation and the world through this but let’s pray that we enter a revival time that the gospel spreads as quick as Corona Virus seems to be spreading.
This time is also a good reminder that this world is not our home, we are just passing through. The glorious age to come is what we should be living for as Christians, where sickness and death shall be no more and where God himself will, “Show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.” Eph2v7. Hallelujah.
Be blessed and may you know God with you at this time.
Si
On behalf of the Elders and Trustees