Dear LBC Family & Friends,
I can not believe that we are already to October! As I have said many times before I have so looked forward to celebrating my first “real” Fall as a resident of New Jersey. From what I am seeing it is well worth all of the hype it has received.
As I look back over the 6+ months that have been radically altered by Covid-19 I am amazed at how different things look. Far more than any of us could have possibly imagined back in early March. While we could certainly spend much time discussing all of the difficulties that we have walked through I would like to point out a few of the blessings we have received during this time.
God has provided! As I have met with the leadership we have all been amazed at the faithfulness and over all blessing of God’s providential hand during this difficult season. It only takes a brief look at the news to see that many are in an incredibly difficult place due to this season. We need not only pray for them but also look for ways that we can bless them and care for them with what God has allowed us to steward. I praise God for you LBC, for it was you that God used to filter His blessings onto us as a congregation. You have found ways to continue to give and trust The Lord during these hard times.
Babies babies babies! Psalm 127:3 tells us that, “Children are a gift from The Lord.” Ledgewood and her families have had an overflowing cup during the past few months. I praise God for all the new babies born into our family and for the families that are welcoming in these precious little ones. Let us commit to pray together for each family as they adjust to this blessing and difficult responsibility.
Praying together. I have so enjoyed the gift of praying together with you since my first Sunday here in January. Whether it be stopping in the middle of service to pray communally, gathering online to pray and praise, or gathering on Friday afternoons to present the names of each in the congregation to The Lord it is truly a blessing. There is truly nothing better that we could do together as a church family and nothing more important for The Kingdom. As a church we will either live or die on our prayerfulness. I am thankful to link arms with you daily, “and approach boldly the throne room of grace.” What a great privilege we have been given in and for the name and sake of Jesus.
There are so many more things that I would like to update you about and I will be doing so more frequently through newsletter again. I appreciate the grace you have extended me as I too have had to adjust to new schedules and the difficulties of life in this strange time. A few things have been worked out and several are on the mend with solutions quickly approaching.
The website and YouTube issues have been worked out. I am grateful to both Mike Ventura & Lou Piccirillo for their support to me as I have had to learn to post and edit things to both. As of today I believe both are up to date and starting Sunday I will once again begin posting all messages to Facebook, YouTube, and the church website. Please once again make sure and share those messages so that everyone will be up to date on current sermon series.
Paypal or online tithing is currently down but is being worked on. We had some issues arise with these and while most of it is fixed there are still some kinks to work out. Those are currently being worked on and I will let you know as soon as it is all done. Thank you for understanding!
Ministry events are still greatly limited on campus. We still have both (identical) services at 8:30 & 10:30 on Sunday mornings so that we can remain within guidelines but that is all for Sundays. There is currently no plan for traditional Sunday school nor nursery at this time. Updates will come as soon as available. There are several on campus and in home Bible studies occurring or starting during this season. IF you lead or attend one of those please make sure to send your info and I will get it posted in the weekly bulletin. You have probably already done this but help me out and send it again please.
The holidays are swiftly approaching. I assure you that my hope and prayer is that we will be back to normal when those times and services arise. However I can not promise that and will give ample time with updates about those services as we approach.
I would like to close this update with a request. I would like to call us as a congregation to a state of specific prayer. You have no doubt seen the angst, anger, and hatred that is spewed around with no second thought in our nation and world. This current political season has only made things worse. I would like us to pray for our leaders, by name, daily. As I write this President Trump and his wife Melania have tested positive for the virus and are being moved to a hospital for care. Regardless of where you or I stand politically we are commanded to pray for our leaders in this nation. Let us do that! Let us pray that they would come to know Jesus personally, be filled with His Spirit, and lead as the Lord guides them. This country needs no less than a radical revival and awakening and our leaders surrendering to Jesus could only help in ushering that in. I look forward to joining you as we beseech The Father on behalf of our leaders and nation. To God be The Glory!
For His Name’s sake,
Brock
“Every true revival has had its earthly origin in prayer.” R.A. Torrey