Christmas Reset
I, like most of you was disappointed to learn on Monday, December 7, that it was deemed necessary to limit our gatherings to our own households We are not to meet as churches, and families must keep to their own households.
Personally, this is a double loss – I cannot meet to celebrate Christmas with either our own family or our own church family. As a grandparent, this is hard. This is painful. This is loss. Hopes and plans are shelved and I am disappointed for all of us.
Such loss is very challenging for pastors and leaders. Hopes of at least a limited gathering are gone. No “live” Christmas Eve Candlelight Services. No Christmas pageants, choirs or programs. No carolling.
As I allowed this news to sink in personally, I found the Lord changing my perspective – a kind of Christmas “reset.” Here are some thoughts:
- While I grieve that we cannot gather with our children and their families, I am so blessed that we all love one another and that all of us want to be together. We had a family ZOOM on Wednesday evening, and will all make the best to be together – virtually and creatively. Some families are not so fortunate, and do not enjoy such unity and love.
- No social distancing is required with our Lord – He invites us to come and to find our rest in him. (Matt.11:28,29).
- While we cannot gather church families, we are not “forbidden” to share the Gospel or to worship in our province or land. As I hear of the persecution of brothers and sisters in Nepal, India and several other countries, we are blessed to enjoy the freedom we do.
- Speaking recently from the Book of 1 Peter, a letter written to young Christians facing hardship and persecution, I was reminded again that I am but a “temporary resident” on this earth, and that my citizenship and all the privileges that go with it are elsewhere. I realize how attached I have become to this place (earth) at which I temporarily reside (perhaps with a “work permit” to serve), and I have both come to appreciate more fully and even eagerly look forward to “getting home.”
- While COVID has made organizing ministry both challenging and cumbersome with all the protocol and policies, one can freely be a good neighbour and care for others. May we have the heart and eyes of Jesus to care for others in this season.
- The Good News is just as good as ever – and the message of hope is to “all the people.” My prayer is that I might live live and fully use the “work permit” that I have been entrusted with as a temporary resident, both through this Christmas Season and into the New Year.
- As “we are all in the same boat,” there is opportunity – we can electronically share the Good News to those who might not come to church, but can “tune in” from their own homes, or “drive-in” at Johnston Heights and other churches.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9)
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CHRISTMAS EVENTS FOR ALL
NEXT WEEK: we will plan to share all the Christmas outreaches and services from district churches to that we can share these with one another and friends. Please send us notice of your events, and we will share these next week!
Johnston Heights Drive-In Christmas Eve Service
Register online at:
https://hopetoyou.com/christmas-eve
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Pastor Sammy Kabyemera of Jesus Grace International Church presents us with an opportunity to minster to brothers and sisters in Ugandan refugee camps.
Pastor Sammy is inviting us to participate in a special Christmas offering for those in the Kyaka Refugee Camp. He writes, “These children need basic necessities year round. But at Christmas time I am hoping to give them an extra special gift for food ,clothes or at least toys. Please help me send love and joy to them in this holiday season in the name of Jesus.”
Donations can me made through EFCCM.
https://www.efccm.ca/wordpress/donate/
“Kabyemera, Sammy, Missionary Expansion Fund”
Account # 2-2106
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Please Remember our LPD Missionaries:
Here is the link to their information and how to support them:
Please remember all of our LPD Missionaries (and all missionaries) at this time.
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/donations
LPD Missionaries:
Dan and Sharon Williams (Osoyoos Project)
Steve and Gillian Sharpe (Missionary of Church Planting Development)
Jonathan and Harmony Ng (Inner City Ministry)
Noel and Lynda Macasaet (New Living Assembly)
Jorge and Emily Lin (Church of All Nations/New West EFC)
Joshua and Nicole Fast (Priceless Youth Ministry)
Allen and Hannah Chang (Steveston Project)
Daniel and Joyce Wong (Steveston Project)
Nathan and Amber Kinsey (Winsome Games)
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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. Josephine has been continually updating our information, so has the most current information available on resources available to you and your church in this time. Please email Josephine
Please contact us for info on:
- Ministering under the current COVID Restrictions from the Provincial Health Officer. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support?utm_campaign=20200506_GCPE_AM_COVID_9_NOTIFICATION_BCGOV_BCGOV_EN_BC__NOTIFICATION
- Congregational Meetings – whatever your bylaws state, the BC Government is accepting “virtual meetings” for annual and general meetings. Here is a link to the government communication about this: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/not-for-profit-organizations/societies-agm-covid-19
- Current Information on the Federal Government Wage Subsidy Programs. Please contact our office for current information.
- Online Giving Options for your church – helpful, especially when your church cannot physically gather.
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Please pray for:
- Charlz and Ruth Sebastian church planting pastor of Jesus Is Our Salvation church in Agassiz. Charlz has been hospitalized with COVID. Praise God that he was released from hospital on Thursday and is now home.
- James and Cindy Clark – as they begin pastoring the Terrace EFC this weekend.
- Advent and Christmas ministries in our churches. May we be both bold and creative to live and share the Good News.
- The Church of All Nations, and for church planting missionaries Jorge and Emily Lin.
- Pastor Tom and Sandi Ford and family. Pray for healing for his hand and strength to be able to receive a kidney transplant in 2021.
- Nathan and Amber Kinsey. Nathan (Coach K), LPD Missionary, leading Winsome Games, a ministry to reach out to children and youth through sports.
- Our 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. Pray as we meet this Wednesday.
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