Coronavirus update
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Many of us feel ‘on the horns of a dilemma’ – on the one hand the need to meet together to encourage one another, and all the more as we see the Day (of Christ’s return) approaching (Hebrews 10:24). On the other hand, those who are more vulnerable or have vulnerable family and friends, are conscious of the additional risk of coming to Church.
There is no right or wrong answer. Our circumstances are different. After prayerful thought we need to make our own decisions.
We are working on Live Streaming our Sunday service and will have this option available as soon as this Sunday or next. While this is a good thing in this emergency, it is much better to meet face to face to encourage one another, pray, sing and to hear God’s Word together. The Church is people, and people meeting together is better than meeting remotely. Please pray that this virus increases our commitment to meeting together because it shows us what a privilege it is to be able to do this.
Christ Jesus has given us (John 13:34) ‘A new command: love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ The virus gives us a great opportunity to do this. Pray and seek out 2 or 3 other members of the Church; arrange to contact each other regularly (weekly?) and pray for each other. And ‘adopt’ a vulnerable brother or sister and pray for them, checking up on them regularly.
Many are frightened by the danger to life and health that the virus poses. Many more are worried about the financial implications of losing their incomes as businesses slow down or even close down. Let’s be praying for each other, and for our neighbours. Only those who trust in Christ are able to pray to God as Father. This is a time to ask our neighbours if they might like us to pray for them?
We have the security of eternal Life with Christ Jesus, and are ‘always to be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have, and to do this with gentleness and respect.’ (1 Peter 3:15) Lets pray that we live through all these fears and worries so differently that we’ll be asked to explain who makes us different.
Your brother in Christ
Ian Gilmour
