Pastoral letter re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – 20/3/20
Dear Hume PC,
I pray that you are all going well and have the supplies that you need.
I just wanted to write to tell you all that I am praying for you, to encourage you to continue participating in church activities and to update you of my thoughts since the last letter.
Church is an important part of a Christian’s life. We want church to be a regular and healthy constant in your life, especially over this difficult period. We will adhere to the government recommendations and guidelines. But while we can still meet physically for a church service on a Sunday at Aitken Hill Community Centre (before the centre is closed or the government restrict gatherings under 50) we will endeavor to do so. More than ever we need to fix our eyes on Jesus, and Church helps us to encourage one another to do the same. As Hebrews tell us, 24 …let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).
We will however, continue to make changes as required. Last week, we introduced hand washing (& sanitizer), and no physical contact (eg handshakes, hugs & kisses). From this Sunday we will practice more social distancing by spreading chairs out further. For morning tea, we will now only serve tea and coffee. We won’t be having food or lunches until further notice.
Bible Studies and the prayer meeting will continue with the added feature of Google Zoom. If you can’t or don’t think it is best for you to attend in person, you will be able to join us digitally over the internet. Please speak to me or your bible study leader about this.
We are currently trialing different ways to live stream our services for those who can’t make it. Last we did Facebook live, which apparently was buffering and cut out. This week we will trial Google Zoom. If you can’t physically be present this Sunday please go to https://us04web.zoom.us/j/870815126 just before 10am to join us online (the Google Zoom Meeting ID is: 870 815 126). If you do join us on Zoom, please stay online after the service to chat with others from church.
This is also an opportunity for us to show our love and generosity especially towards others in the congregation. This Sunday I will bring sugar, flour, eggs, brownie packets, and a few boxes of tissues and toilet paper rolls. If you need some, please bring a container(s) to carry them in. If you have any spare resources, please bring them and offer it to others too. Please be caring for your neighbours especially the elderly. Show them the love of Jesus! Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18).
Looking forward to meeting with many of you on Sunday!
Luke
20 Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21)
