Pray for:
The Steveston Project
They have take what they have learned over the past three years, what they see God doing today, and discerning where God is leading them for the future, and have reshaped and revisioned the Steveston Project to be, “a simple network of microchurches.”
In these recent weeks of COVID-19, all churches have been challenged to more “body-centred” than “building-centred,” and the Steveston Project is based upon life and faith being lived and shared in the context of “microchurches” that are joined by a common faith, ethos and leadership.
Pray for the Steveston Team, as they seek the Lord, and make disciples as a church plant in our district.
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Palm Sunday – a week of surprises for some…
When I think back to what we have come to call “Palm Sunday,” and the Triumphal Entry” of Christ into Jerusalem, it was a week of surprises for all but our Lord.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, having come from Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus from the dead, his reputation and notoriety preceded him.
People flocked to the streets. They placed palm branches on the road before him, shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Pharisees, who for the most part opposed Jesus, were heard to say,”See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (John 12:19).
Jesus’ disciples, in a somewhat opportunistic fashion, hoped that their efforts would soon be rewarded with positions of influence and honour as Jesus would establish his kingdom.
Only Jesus knew what the week would bring. The welcoming shouts of “Hosanna” would turn to “crucify him.” Betrayal. Arrest. Denial. A mock trial. Savage beatings. An excruciating death through crucifixion. A resurrection. Salvation purchased through his blood and his identity as the Son of God proven through his resurrection.
People thought that they knew what the week would bring, and made plans accordingly.
God knew what the week would bring, and also planned accordingly – Jesus’ hour to be glorified had come!
Just so today…
Our province introduced and passed a “balanced budget” in February. We made plans for “spring break,” and our church programs and ministries through the year. Needless to say, March did not turn out as we anticipated…
None of this has surprised God, and as Paul assures us in Romans 8, nothing that has happened, is happening or can happen can separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord! (cf Romans 8:31-39).
COVID-19 is scary. It is inconvenient. It has led to radical unemployment, and limitations on our lives, leisure and travel.
Though a surprise to us, God has our backs (even more than Trudeau!), and He will accomplish his work through this time – if only we trust Him and look to Him.
Though things can seem rather bleak as the week unfolds – be encouraged. As Pastor Rufus reminds us, “Sunday is a coming!” See the video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gx6_rGLz20
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Here are some ideas for Easter in a time of social-distancing:
5-ways-to-make-your-online-easter-service-impactful
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NEW OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH COVID-19
I am so 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 is a story from Ben Crumback (Anna) pastor of Sointula Community Church on Malcolm Island.
This past Sunday it was abundantly clear that COVID-19 has drastically changed the way we do church. Rather than running down to the church in the morning to take care of last-minute service preparations, Anna and I stayed home and attended church in our living room. Earlier in the week we had recorded a sermon and prepared an email package for our congregation containing the message, a few worship songs, and a scripture reading (we burnt CDs for those without internet access). Although this was predominantly uncharted territory for us and our church, we knew we had to adapt and find new ways to minister in the midst of social distancing and isolation.
We sent the email off, posted a link to the service on our Facebook page, and waited. Slowly we started to hear back from people: some had watched the service the night before and others had waited till Sunday morning, some had watched on their laptops and others on their TVs, some watched alone and others with their families, and everyone seemed grateful for the edification and semblance of normalcy that the online service provided.
Then we started to hear from people who had stumbled across the sermon on our Facebook page (people who may never have heard the message otherwise), people who were encouraged by the message and forwarded it to a friend, people who were able to watch the sermon with family members who wouldn’t normally attend church, and even a couple who were able to join us from all the way down in southern Texas! What an encouragement to know that God’s word is going forth in our community and beyond in new ways because of (not in spite of) this bizarre season that we find ourselves in!
-Ben
This is one of many stories that can be told from LPD Churches!
Last week, I shared a sermon with Parkdale EFC over ZOOM. Some of you joined us for this. On Easter Sunday, I look forward to delivering a sermon to Grace EFC over ZOOM, while Pastor Ping Su translates the sermon into Mandarin, and also delivers this through ZOOM to the congregation – a first for both of us! She in Port Coquitlam, and me in North Delta – and together ministering to a church in Richmond!
What is your church doing to communicate through this time of opportunity?
Here are some opportunities for 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. Josephine has been updating our information daily, so has the most current information available.
Please contact our LPD Office for information on:
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.”
Website:
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Please pray for:
