Hi everyone, Welcome to our first weekly news bulletin. We are hoping this will be a good way to stay in touch over the coming weeks while we are all in lockdown or self-isolation.
We have been instructed to observe “social distancing” but that doesn’t mean we can’t find creative ways to stay in touch and encourage one another through these tough times. We can’t physically visit one another in our homes or meet together in our regular services, but we can make a phone call, write a letter or drop a card in the mail. I can’t wait to see all the wonderfully creative ways we find to stay in touch and encourage one another.
We will continue live streaming our Sunday service at 10.00 am, but it will certainly take on a different look and feel. There will be some kind of worship that you can either join in and sing (if you don’t feel too awkward) or just listen to and soak or get jiggy and dance with the kids. We will make time to take communion together, so I encourage you to get some small glasses and bread ready prior to the meeting time and be ready to participate in communion together (don’t forget you can do this together as a family anytime). We will also be introducing some “armchair chats” with Steve, Barrie, Keith and myself, as well as some guest speakers. Not sure about all the technical side of this, but we ask you to be patient with us while we work out all the finer details. For those of you who are not on line, we plan to send out these bulletins every Monday so that you can keep up with what’s happening in the church community and have a transcript of the message.
Please let us know if there is something we can do for you. I encourage you to call if you want to chat, or if you are concerned about anything, have a prayer need, or even just need help with shopping. We are here – we love you and care about you, and we are going to see this challenging time through by being intentional about staying connected.
Remember Paul’s encouraging words to the Romans: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels not rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) Keeping our Eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
God bless you, each one. Glenda and Joe, together with the elders and ministry team of MNLCC