To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
I AM SO THANKFUL TO BE ABLE TO SERVE YOU! I AM SO THANKFUL FOR GOD'S WORK IN YOU AND THROUGH YOU! I AM SO THANKFUL FOR JESUS LIFE, DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND LIFE IN US!
There is so much to be thankful for, even in the midst of a Coronavirus pandemic and the confusion of the future that this brings!
I am thankful for the staff and volunteers who are going above and beyond to find ways to serve God's people in our family.
We have entered the most important week of the year for us as Christians...and it is so important we stay (or maybe get) FOCUSED on Jesus and all He has done for us! He is worthy of our praise, and our passionate pursuit and this week is an exclamation mark on what should impact the rest of our lives. I love what this week allows us to focus on, and although it will take some creativity, am excited to hear how we were able to do this creatively together and apart as God's people. Enjoy your SMALL gatherings, the great food most of us will have, but most importantly STAY CONNECTED TO GOD and HIS PEOPLE.
How?
Children's Ministry: Robyn and Hannah encourage you to pick up a package from the church after Wednesday morning that will help you celebrate with your children this great season. If you can't pick up we will look for creative ways to share online. This will be in the Administration wing entry, during office hours, and if you buzz up you will be let in so that you can take one and bring it home and be equipped to grow together with your children. Hannah also had the great idea of drawing pictures on the sidewalks that reflect our worship, and taking pictures with your families of that. Adults, would love if we did this as well, but children, you are the focus, so get some chalk, get drawing, and take pictures so we can rejoice with you in your artwork and shared joy!
Offering: WOW. The last report we gave was that we were pleased that so many were making an effort and that we had maintained just over 50% of our regular offering. So many of you have graciously continued to give and to bless, and I rejoice to report that currently we are doing better, and if we continue to give and grow in this time, we will be able to function in a healthy way as a church family. THANK YOU for giving to the LORD, and helping us continue to serve and get through this current crisis. WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE! We know that the crisis will impact our standard of living, and are praying we can continue to offer hope and help here and around the world!
If you would like to give to the special offering, or benevolent, above your regular giving, please mark that online, or in the envelopes you drop off at the church, and again, THANK YOU!
Schedule Reminder:
- Young Adults Zoom Bible Study: Tuesday 7:45 (you can pray and read through passage at 7:30)
- Youth Online: Wednesday 7:00
- Video Bible Study & Prayer Meeting: Wednesday 6:30 - 7:45
- Video Update: Thursday Afternoon
- Online Good Friday Service: Friday, 10:00 am
- Online Resurrection Sunday Celebration: Sunday, 10:30 am
HUGE thank you to growth group leaders for their work in helping us to stay connected at this time. Please continue to make an effort to phone and email and find other creative ways to love one another during this time. I really believe that we are growing through this in our depth and breadth of ministry, and for that I am thankful to God for you!
I hope that many of you are enjoying the Holy Week Devotionals that are online, and we encourage you to always share what you are learning with at least one other person (encourage you to share more widely, but at least one other).
Good Friday Is Coming:
We encourage you to prepare your hearts by reading the texts in Scripture that focus on this. We will be reading John's account on Friday, so would love to have you reflect on that, or any of the other Gospel stories of what Jesus has done for us!
WORSHIP HIM. Let your heart be so filled with thanksgiving and so heavy with awe, that your lips praise Him and your life conforms to His image!
- Message Text For Friday: Hebrews 9:27-28 THE FACTS OF LIFE
- Why does death point us to our need for Jesus?
- How can we be those who keep His death (and resurrection) in mind this week (and always)?
- Why is seeing the death of Jesus as judgement important? 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Are you living your life conscious that this event in history is real, and allowing it to altar your life completely by being driven and defined by your relationship with Him?
Sunday Is Coming:
HE IS RISEN...HE IS RISEN INDEED
Wishing we could join together for the amazing cinnamon buns that we usually do, but even more important is our joining together in adoration of the risen Saviour!
Title: It is Finished, It Is Foundational, It Is Fantastic
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28
- Why is this the most important week in history that we are celebrating?
- What are some ways that you can celebrate that remind you of the greatness of God and what He has done?
- As you reflect on this text, how does it show the importance of us keeping the Gospel central in all of our lives?
- How can you share the greatness of your salvation with someone else this week, and beyond?
- How can you live this week conscious of the presence of God and be consistently fully devoted to Him?
Honoured to serve you, and thankful to God for you,
Pastor Rob