Greetings LBC Family, October 16, 2020
Looking outside our windows we are blessed to see the beautiful signs of deeply transitioning into Fall. It won’t be long before the leaves are off the trees and we begin to see snow accumulating in our yards and all around. I love the changing seasons because of their beauty and because they each remind me of the power and promises of The Lord. He is faithful to His word.
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Gen. 8:22
Unfortunately one season that is not changing as quickly as we would like is the current one we find ourselves in relation to Covid-19 and all of the regulations and stipulations that come along with it. I think I speak for most, if not all of us, in saying that we are ready for this to end and for things to get back to, “normal.” That is perhaps the one truth that is hardest to swallow. Normal may never look normal again. This past week during our prayer time we were reminded of a message that God delivered to His people through the prophet Jeremiah. It was recorded in Jeremiah 29. God was reminding Jeremiah & His people that while He was certainly still in charge He never promised to deliver them back to normal or the way things used to be for them. He did however promise to continue to lead and provide for them. I pray that as we continue to live out these difficult days without knowing when or if they will end we can find great comfort and joy in knowing that the God who redeemed us by the blood of His son is still very much in control and on the move for His glory and our eternal good.
There are several things that I want to remind or update you about as we transition into colder days and these final months of 2020. If you have questions or concerns about anything please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Let’s start with the obvious. We are still under health guidelines as mandated by our Governor. This affects just about every aspect of our gatherings and usage of facilities. To keep it short we are still fully masked and socially distanced during worship services. We are still not having traditional Sunday school classes nor is their child care provided at this time. There are a few bible studies happening on campus during the week but we are still not hosting any outside groups at this time.
There are two “in person” services each Sunday. 8:30 & 10:30. They are the exact same. We are only allowed to have 56 people in the Sanctuary/Overflow area at one time and as to date that has worked out well. If an issue arises we will deal with that as we go. We will continue to post all services to the internet by Sunday afternoon. They will be posted to the church website, Facebook, and Youtube pages. (Thank you for your patience as I got all of those details worked out. We are back on track now.) We are currently going through a series called, “The Stories of Genesis.” I know that many of you are still remaining away from gathering in person b/c of safety and health issues. Please know I fully support you. For others of you I know that it is much easier to simply watch at home. If you are comfortable gathering at this time I’d like to invite you back. I miss seeing you! Just know that we are taking every step to remain as cautious and safe as possible during this time.
I want to personally thank you for your faithfulness over the past 8 months. Your giving has remained steady and honorable to The Lord. He has proven so good to us through this difficult time and the many others we have seen in the past. He provides to us as individuals and you have been faithful to be a conduit of blessing to His local church at LBC. I know that many of you have given through the online giving format and as you know that has been disrupted for quite some time. I assure you that it is being worked on and will be taken care of asap. I am still collecting your mailed in tithes and offerings and placing them directly into the plates on Sunday mornings. Thank you again for your faithfulness.
There have been some that have asked if we are still meeting daily for online/over phone prayer times. Yes, and I have loved every second of it!! The times are:
Mondays 10 am Zoom
Tuesdays 7 pm Zoom
Wednesdays 2 pm Zoom
Thursdays 7 pm Zoom
Fridays 2 pm In sanctuary (Praying for entire roll of LBC)
Saturdays 10 am Zoom
One of the upcoming studies will be a full year of reading and studying the Bible Chronologically. Many have already signed up for that class and I will be contacting by the middle of next week to get some info so we can choose a meeting day and time. If you would like to be part of getting that info (not a commitment…yet) please contact me asap.
The last update I want to include is one about a change that is coming. This may be of little interest to you but some have asked so I want to let you know why the change is occurring. For many years LBC has used the New International Version (NIV) as the translation of choice on Sunday mornings. I have been using this version since I arrived as well. I love this translation b/c it is true to the originals but also easily readable. However that specific translation has in the recent years updated from their 1984 version. Some of the changes that took place create some unnecessary hard situations and questionable usages of certain English terms. While I won’t go anywhere near calling this a false translation or heretical I just believe there is a better one available for me to preach from at LBC. In a few weeks I will be transitioning to the English Standard Version (ESV). This is the version I have used for 2020 in my daily devotions (I used the NIV for the past 16 years) and I love it. It is a very trustworthy translation and still readable. Like any translations there are times when English just doesn’t quite cut it when talking about Hebrew, Greek, & Aramaic words. As before I will always make a point to clarify in those times. Again I don’t want you to think this is a gigantic issue but if you a notice a difference between the version I’m reading and preaching from and the one you have that is why.
At the beginning of this newsletter I mentioned Jeremiah 29. I want to close with perhaps one of the most popular verses from the scriptures which is also from that chapter.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
While this original statement was made to the Jewish people it also applies to born again Christians. We don’t get to claim all of the promises that God made to the Israelites but we can claim this one. For He also knows the plans He has for us. In Christ Jesus they are good plans of eternal prosperity, no more harm, and a glorious hope and future with him forever in Heaven, our eternal home. Despite what we see on our televisions and in our communities let us hold to the perfect blessings we have from our Father in Heaven because of the death and resurrection of His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
For His Name’s sake,
Brock
901.351.4979 cell
pastorlbchurch@gmail.com