Hello Church Family,

This current lock-down is similar to the one we experienced earlier this year except schools remain open and churches are allowed to remain open at 15% capacity. After discussing with the board and having a vote, we will continue to remain open for in-person Sunday Service during this time and we will offer in-person children ministries (nursery 0yrs - 2yrs & Sunday school for 3yrs - 10yrs) as well.  Services will continue to be streamed live online on Facebook and YouTube each Sunday at 10:00 AM.

The totals per room would look like this: 30ppl in Sanctuary + 15ppl in Fellowship Hall (Sunday school) + 5ppl in Nursery = 50ppl total.

Please ensure you register for Sunday service.  And please refer to our website for up-to-date information.

I made some notes while listening to the Ontario news conference this afternoon and I want to respond to some of the statements that were made by our provincial political leaders:

• "The situation is very serious."
  • GOD SEES US
  • Hagar experienced social distancing and isolation when she fled in desperation to the desert. There she came to know God as the one who truly saw her. In this moment, notice God’s gracious eyes on you.
  • Genesis 16:13 (ESV) - So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”
• "Residents are only allowed to leave home for essentials and health care services."
  • GOD HEARS US
  • When we endure suffering, it can be hard to feel that God is near. And yet from the isolation of the whale’s belly, Jonah cried out to God and God heard. God is listening to you today.
    Jonah 2:2 (NIV) - “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry."
• "Additional measures are needed to stop this virus in order to save people lives."
  • GOD IS WITH IS
  • Whether you or your loved ones are confined at home, hospitalized, separated by geography, you need not fear, for God is present even in the darkest valleys.
  • Psalm 23:4 (ESV) - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
• "The current level of vaccination is not there yet to stop the spread of the virus."
  • GOD IS FOR US
  • If you’re wrestling with how to think about COVID-19 theologically, you’re not alone. What we know for certain is: God is not the author of suffering, God is a redeemer, and God is always good.
  • Lamentations 3:33 (NCV) - He does not like to punish people or make them sad.
• "Everything is being done."
  • GOD IS LOVE
  • If you are brokenhearted today, if you are grieving, if your spirit is crushed, God is near. Make room today to get quiet and offer God your hurting heart.
  • Psalm 34:18 (ESV) - The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

We have to remain above reproach during these trying times and follow the Covid regulations as best as we can and represent Jesus well in everything we say and everything we do (Philippians 4:5a [ERV] - Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind.)

I will open Sunday morning service with an extended time of prayer to ask God to heal our land and to continue to protect all of us.  Join me in fasting (Saturday evening until after service) and prayer this coming Sunday morning.  God is our HOPE!

Romans 15:13 (NIV) - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

See you in-person and online this Sunday.

Bless you,