To God’s Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
Thank you for your prayers and pursuit of God’s will with us and for us! It is good to be a part of a family that has sought to stay on God’s side through a pandemic (and the response of the society to that), and as we know if we read the news, this has not been easy. We are hoping that this week we will hear the news that church can be fully open. WE FIND OUT WE THINK ON THURSDAY! If we are open, we will let you know, until then book online, and we will announce loudly...when we know more.
As we near the end (God willing) and prepare to go back to a semblance of normality, it is a time of joy, and realization of what we have lost. It can be a little confusing, and an opportunity for the world, the flesh, and the devil to attack the vulnerable. So how can we response right as a church family to the new opportunities God is giving us in His Sovereignty to conform to His image and reach our world with His message?
- Prayer: We are completely dependent on Him, and apart from Him we can do nothing. This is a time for PRAYER! We are calling you too CONTINUED and INCREASED prayer as we join back together as a family physically.
Join our Elder led prayer meetings, starting next Tuesday, and running every Tuesday through the summer (July 6) from 7-8. This is an opportunity for us to seek God’s face together, to praise Him, acknowledge our need for Him, and pursue our relationship with Him and one another. MAKE THIS A PRIORITY.
To help us in our passion for increased prayer, I have written a book that we will work through. They are available at Amazon (we don’t get anything if you buy it there) or a free download from our website (we get joy if you download it there). It is a call to dependence, and we want every one who calls this church home to engage in prayer with us and for us!
If you love Jesus, and you love CBC, download a copy of the book (or get a hardcopy), and PRAY PRAY PRAY!
https://www.
- Pursue: Intimacy with Jesus. The closer we are to Him, the closer we will be to one another.
Please focus your conversation on Him and the Gospel, not on your view of vaccines, or the pandemic, or any other cultural potential divider.
The more we talk about Jesus the more unity and passion for mission we will experience! He is our greatest treasure and the focus of our lives, let us show that by allowing Him to dominate our conversations!
We will be celebrating communion (God willing) together this Sunday, and whether you join us physically, or continue to join us spiritually, this is a powerful reminder of what matters to us and what unifies us as God’s people at CBC. REMEMBER! REPENT! RENEW! REJOICE!
Meditate on Colossians 1, or 3. Obey Hebrews 12:1-3, and live a life of faith and be free from fear and a focus on the world and what it wants you to focus on.
Pray, Pursue,
- Plan: Plan to live your life intentionally preferring one another. Romans 12:10 invites us into a competition to out honour one another, and if we do this actively and intentionally we will not allow our views of non-essentials crowd out our love for fellow children of the King.
This means practically, if you come to be sensitive to the people around you. If someone wears a mask, or doesn’t, and that is allowed by our elders, do not condemn either way. If someone wants physical space, or no handshakes for their comfort level, rejoice that they are here, and grant them this freedom. If you see others who are comfortable with handshakes shaking hands, allow them (if the elders have given permission) to do this, and for all of us, let us plan to live lives of LOVE, not of preference, or judgement. BE SENSITIVE to one another, and plan to live a life of self-sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:1-2).
If we are back to full attendance and minimal restrictions (watch for an update later this week), please know we will do our best to start programs with care...and a love for God and one another dominating our decisions.
Don't ask how you can get people to agree with you on COVID, rather ask how you can love them IN CHRIST!
For Children if we open this weekend:
- Nursing Mothers room will be open (nursing mothers only please)
- Nursery will be open, but not church supervised. Will be for women and children only, and parents are responsible for your own children.
- Gym will be open this Sunday, and service on the screen, if you feel more comfortable with young families there (you are welcome in the sanctuary), and the following week, the Fellowship Hall will be the designated space for young families more comfortable there.
If you need more specific information on children’s ministries, please contact Robyn or Hannah.
If we all PRAY, PURSUE, and PLAN, this next step will help us get to a NEW NORMAL that will glorify God and accomplish His mission for us!
WE NEED YOU TO SERVE JESUS AND HIS CHURCH: As programs start up again, we will need God’s people to join us in serving Him together! Will you consider signing up to serve, for we have many opportunities available…contact a deacon, or pastor, or the church office and let us know where you feel led to serve Jesus Bride, and it will help us prepare to re-engage with a strong volunteer force serving together.
Sunday we are excited to give some fantastic news regarding our Worship position, so pray, and come eager to hear how you can be used in the next steps that are coming our way!
Sunday Is Coming:
Title: God Is Real And Revealed
Text: Malachi 1:6-14
Malachi is a book that calls God’s people to authenticity, and to live in light of His Sovereign love.
It is a difficult book, because it gets so personal, and addresses issues that we all struggle with.
God is real, and we must live as though He is who He says He is, if we are His followers.
This passage shows us that God cares about His Name. What does this mean?
How can we show that we treasure His name as well?
Why do you think God cares so much as to our obedience of His Word?
How does your life display the power of the Gospel to others, and show the beauty of who God is to those in your sphere of influence?
Why do you think Malachi takes so much time to show the uselessness of religious activity devoid of intimacy with God?
Prepare your hearts to hear from God, and to know Him more intimately through praise, His Word, and communion!
Excited about what this week might bring, and trusting that it will display our trust in God and love for one another…
Your servant and His,
Pastor Rob
Some REMINDERS:
Treasure in the Tundra: July 12-16. Register online, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! This is a fantastic way to have children learn to love Jesus together. Take advantage of it, and invite your friends!
Kids ministry is seeking to serve you, and help in discipling our children and families even though we are not gathering physically. Please take advantage of this, and continue to make church a priority that your children can see and taste!
Stay informed and connected!
https://www.
Please make an effort to stay informed as we seek to get the engagement together moving forward! We are so excited to see God's people joining together in unified pursuit of His best!
Please join me in making an extra effort to pursue unity, encourage a family member, and share what God is teaching you with someone else.
Encourage 3, Invite 1, Share With All Who Will Listen!
STAY STRONG, FAITHFUL, COURAGEOUS and FOCUSED! We are almost around the corner on this challenge, and although there are many more to come, what we have learned will make us stronger if we stay submitted to God and His Word!