LBC Family,
This is the newsletter format of the video update that has also been sent out today. I will do my best to keep things as close to the video including all of the info but also keeping it short. That video can be viewed on the church Facebook, youtube, and website.
There are two different things that I wanted to update you on and to ask for your prayers about.
1. Lord’s Supper: As you have certainly noticed by this point we have not taken or celebrated communion in several weeks. We have only done so twice since all of the quarantine stuff has taken place and that was on Facebook live. We had a great turnout and I believe that many enjoyed that format. In all honesty I am torn about leading us to take of the covenant meal in this way. I am struggling on knowing if this is something that we should be doing in that way. Of course, the scriptures do not speak about online communion so I am doing my best to hear The Lord’s voice and His lead in this. I am seeking the counsel of other pastors, friends, and church leaders. I am asking you to specifically pray for me that I would clearly hear from The Father and lead us well in this. I will update you guys sometime next week.
2. Gathering together: As of yesterday, May 13, the NJ Governor has stated that churches are allowed to begin having “drive up” services. Now as you would expect there are many stipulations that go along with that. We would really be left with two options. The first is that we park in cars that are at least 6 feet apart and we have the option to “get out” or “open up” our vehicles. There is no word on being allowed to sit in chairs or picnic style blankets around vehicles, so I am assuming that still falls under other active executive orders that say not to do that. The next option is that we park cars in every spot and next to each other and keep all windows and sunroofs closed. We could use a radio transmitter to broadcast the sermon into your car audio system. However, we would not be allowed to exit vehicles, greet each other, or even roll down windows according to these guidelines. There is no doubt that at this point you already have some very strong held opinions about the situation and even reading about these options probably spikes those. I am asking that you pray for me and other church leadership as we seek to make the right decisions during this time. Please know that the desire of all of us is to be back together in person as we worship. That day will come but we are not there yet. I am already in contact with the trustees and deacons and discussing our future steps.
I want to end this update by reminding you of a few things. If the quarantine and separation gave great potential to cause disunity in the body the re-gathering will have even greater potential. You guys have done beautifully in the way that you have lived out the Holy calling as Christ’s church during these past weeks. We are all tired and ready for this to be over. Those emotions, our opinions, and all of the other personal baggage that each of us carries will play into this. We must fight for unity and do all that we can to honor The Lord by staying one united front during this time.
We must keep things in right order as we seek to come back together.
1. We must honor and obey The Lord in this as in all things.
2. We must continue to grow in grace and knowledge of The Lord.
3. We must use wisdom and seek to keep all of God’s people as safe as possible.
4. According to Romans 13 & 1 Peter 2 we must submit to the government.
(This is only to be broken if the gov’t is asking us to sin against The Lord.)
I am begging you to pray for wisdom and show patience as all of this takes place. Stay focused on the things that matter rather than the format by which they are celebrated. Jesus is Lord, He is still on His throne, & we are still His beloved church. Nothing can separate us from those truths or His love.
We will eventually gather together again and in all likelihood, it will look different than before and will be other than what any of us are comfortable with. It is for things like this that The Lord has given us His spirit. We can and must handle this and all things with grace and joy because of the hope we have in Christ and His resurrection.
As you pray and dig into the scriptures please do not hesitate to contact me if you have counsel, concerns, or questions. Please also make sure that if you have not emailed me (since this all began) with your most recent contact info please do that so that we can make sure to get you all necessary info. Please also think about anyone that may not have the capability to receive either this letter or the video update and pass it all on to them.
I am so very grateful for you guys. I praise The Lord for the blessing it is to serve the
Church here at Ledgewood. I have seen His hand in this whole thing and I know that His strong hand will continue to lead us if we will seek Him, His wisdom and His plan, all for His glory.
I love you guys and I will see you soon.
For His Name’s sake,
Brock
901.351.4979 pastorlbchurch@gmail.com