Pray for One Another
– and for the message of Easter Hope
to be proclaimed by all means…
and heard by all people

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This Easter promises to be unlike any experienced this far! We cannot gather at “church.” We cannot invite people to “church.” We cannot welcome and minister to those who only might attend “church” once or twice per year, or those “seeking,” having been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We can, however, BE THE CHURCH – and demonstrate to the world that our faith is not about buildings and programs – it is about faith in our risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

After Jesus’ crucifixion, his disciples entered into “self-isolation” in Jerusalem. Their isolation was not a defense against a virus, but from persecution. John reports that they huddled together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews.

They were fearful. They were confused. They were devastated – “What just happened they thought?” From the Triumphal Entry to the cross in just five days! What about Jesus their Master? What about the Kingdom? What do they now do?

All this changed with the appearance of the Risen Christ. These fearful disciples became Christ’s ambassadors to the same city of Jerusalem and beyond – their hope was a living hope – not in people; not in their resources; not in themselves, nor their skill – their hope was in the Risen Christ, and their message was clear. After being criticized for healing a cripple, Peter boldly states to the Sanhedrin, ” It is by the name of Jesus of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you completely healed… Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10,12). Many came to believe (Acts 4:4).

This week, our daughter sent us a reading, “How the Virus Stole Easter,” no doubt inspired by, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” While fun, it also makes an excellent point – and challenge to us as believers.
How the Virus Stole Easter  

With a nod to Dr. Seuss
By Kristi Bothur

Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began
Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.

People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.

As winter gave way to the promise of spring,
The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.

People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen.
They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.

April approached and churches were closed.
“There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed.

“There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out.
No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.”

Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest.
The world was focused on masks and on tests.

“Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed.
“Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went.
The virus pressed on; it just would not relent.

The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed.
The virus still menaced, the people, estranged.

“Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling.
“They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming.

“They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo.

“That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.”
So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear.

And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies.
It started down low, then it started to rise.

But the sound wasn’t depressed.
Why, this sound was triumphant!
It couldn’t be so!
But it grew with abundance!

The world stared around, popping its eyes.
Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise!

Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small,
Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!

It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine
Stood puzzling and puzzling.
“Just how can it be?”

“It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies,
It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”

Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before.
“Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

Well….the story’s not done.
And what happened then?
Will you share with that one
What will YOU do?
Will you share the source of your life in this fight?
Or two or more people needing hope in this night?

The churches are empty – but so is the tomb,
And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.

As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.
So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,

May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people.
May the world see the church is not a building or steeple.
May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection,
May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.
May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that –
Let it start a revival.
***

Seize the moment, and Preach the Risen Christ!

With the pandemic, I have no “outside meetings,” so I can ride my bicycle the 10k to the office each day. As I cycle, I have been excited to see the “new life” of spring develop day by day. Lupines are sprouting; honeysuckles are blooming; birds are nesting. After a long season of winter, it is so good to see new life. may we see God breathe new life into our hearts, our churches, and our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
NEW OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH COVID-19

I continue to be impressed with how you as churches have rallied, and have embraced both new and old technology to minister through this season of COVID-19. Way to go!

More people are hearing sermons and services online than would be normally through live gatherings!

Here are some opportunities for you:

1. Volunteer – People are seeking Christ. Bible sales are at record levels! Billy Graham Association needs volunteers to help them meet the need to respond to inquiries! This can be done via the telephone or via email. Here is the information: https://www.billygraham.ca/what-we-do/evangelism-outreach/internet-evangelism/ I am personally applying to take part in this great opportunity!
2. Worship with other churches – from the comfort of your own home! You will find online sermons and services on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday. As you visit, please pray for them. Here is the link to our district churches where you can visit website and “virtually” visit: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/locations-2/
3. Pray and connect – call people in your church, as well as neighbours, friends and workmates. People are feeling isolated and will be glad ot contact and conversation. Ask them how you might pray for them – and do so.
4. Turn your neighbourhood exercise walk into a prayer walk! Pray for your neighbours as you walk the neighbourhood! My bike to work has become a “prayer ride,” as I pray for those I meet along the way – from the appropriate social distance, of course!
5. Reflect and Evaluate: Normally in church life, we are in full program schedule, and busy. Right now, programs and “regular” worship have ceased. We are in “Plan B” mode, and should not default into “normalcy” when we are able. What a great time to reflect and evaluate! LPD Missionary of Church Planting and Development, Steve Sharpe and EFCC National Mission Director, Neil Bassingthwaighte have teamed up in offering a Revitalization Ministry, for your local church. This is helpful to focus/refocus energies on becoming a disciple-making church. Nanoose EFC has recently been blessed through this ministry.
6. Take time in the Word, to reflect and to rest in Christ. Step away from the routine, and practice spiritual disciplines and things that enrich you.

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Please remember all of our LPD Missionaries (and all missionaries) at this time. Here is the link to their information and how to support them:
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/donations/
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HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR CHURCHES REGARDING COVID-19

We in the LPD are here to serve you and your church through this time. Several churches have contacted us about caring for/managing their church staff at this time, and we are glad to help. As information and government assistance programs change daily, Josephine has been continually updating our information, so has the most current information available. This week, there have been promises of greater help for Non-profits and a promise of 100% sponsorship of hires for the Canada Summer Jobs Programs.

Please contact our LPD Office for information on:

• Online Giving Options for your church – helpful, especially when your church cannot physically gather.
• Employment Resources: Through this time, you might find that you need to consider the employment options for some church staff. Please let us assist with best practices, creative options and caring for one another.
• Please check our LPD website, and resources on our blog: lpd-efcc.ca/blog/

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Henry and Kim Ngugi
EFCCM Missionaries to Kenya

It is exciting to know that God is calling some of our own to service overseas! I had the privilege of being Kim’s (then Kim Holbrook) pastor at North Delta EFC, and her dad, Bruce served alongside as youth pastor. She married Henry, after meeting him in Kenya while on a short term mission, and they returned to Canada so Henry could pursue theological studies. While studying, Henry interned at New Westminster EFC, while our son, Tim (Emily) Stewart pastored there.

We are excited and thankful for how God has led and called Henry and Kim, and we invite you to join in their prayer and support team. They trust to travel to Kenya to begin this ministry in September of this year. Here is a link to their newsletter, “The Daily Move.”
TheDailyMoveMarch.pdf

Website:

https://movedchurch.org/

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Please pray for:

• Pastors and church leaders through this time. May the message of Easter be celebrated, proclaimed and heard!
• Tom and Sandy Ford and family, as he awaits transplants, made necessary through the impact of his diabetes. He asks for urgent prayer for physical strength to be ready for a kidney transplant.

• LPD Churches and Missionaries – please remember to pray for one another, and to continue to financially support our churches and district and foreign missionaries as we see COVID-19 through.
• Pray for first responders and our leaders through this time. May they humbly seek the Lord for His wisdom. 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
• God is sovereign and in control. May God use the COVID-19 virus to His Glory. May He protect the front-line service providers, and may this be a “teachable moment” for our world.
• Dan and Sharon Williams. They are now in Osoyoos, and planting a church in partnership with both the Lower Pacific District and Canadian Pacific District. Please pray for them and for the Osoyoos Project!
• Josh and Clara Lok, as they have successfully completed their church planter assessment, and we look forward to moving forward with them toward church planting.
• Town + Field Church, in their time of pastoral transition. Pray for Matt (Val) Myers and team, as they provide interim leadership. Pray for their pastoral search process. http://townandfield.ca/leadpastorhiring/.
• Fort Langley EFC, in their search for an Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults. https://www.flefc.org/news/hiring-associate-pastor-of-youth-and-young-adults–210
• Joshua and Nicole Fast, LPD Missionary, beginning “Priceless Youth Ministries,“ a ministry to families of special needs children/youth.
• The Steveston Project Team – Allen and Hannah Chang and Daniel and Joyce Wong. We are thankful for their fresh vision and growth, and we look forward to what God will do in the days ahead.
• LPD Board. Board members are Randy Lemke (Allana) – Chair, Patrick Chan (Sarah) – Property and Finance, Ben Crumback (Anna) – Island Liaison, Charles Labun (Carolyn) – Church Board Liaison, Rob Stewart (Karen) – D.S., Tim Stewart (Emily) – Innovative Ministries, Sang Hyun (Sam) Cho (Eun Young) – Korean Church Liaison; Phil Yung (Grace) – Church Planting, Philip Leung (Karen) – Chinese Church Liaison and Josephine Papp, LPD Office Administrator – Recording Secretary. Please pray for us, as we “meet” on Wednesday, April 15. 

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