To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
Two years ago this week, we were shocked with the news that society was shutting down. It has been a long and in many ways difficult journey.
Today we learned that society is opening up again (at least in BC), and we hope and pray that the issues surrounding COVID and responses will finally be moving to our rear view mirror.
What does this mean for us as a church family?
- Masks are now optional at church. Please respect other people's decisions around you, and if someone makes a different choice than you, love them, don't judge them. Take the time to read Romans 12:10 enough so that you live it with other children of the King.
- We will begin to move toward a new normal, welcoming people back to church, and realizing some who left because they were asked to wear a mask will come back, and others concerned about their health will come back. May we ask you to be HUMBLE before God, and welcoming to all. We know that there are very strong opinions about cultural things, let us make sure that while we hold those strong opinions, our love for Jesus and one another is STRONGER!
- Connect: One of the difficult things that has happened over the last few years is that people have found the feeling of division and disconnection. The way we battle that is humble submission to God, love for one another and EFFORT to be the one looking to actively engage and love new and old people. Some people haven't been in the church building since March 15 of 2020, and that is a long time. WE MISS YOU! The gathering of believers is to help us reorient around God and His Word. Join us in this, and help one another to stay focused on God and His Gospel. Join us in making the decision that you will be God's avenue of connection to someone else in the family, and don't miss out on the opportunity to help someone feel at home and loved.
I am thankful we are moving in this direction, and thankful for a church family that for the most part has stayed consistent in her submission to Jesus Lordship at CBC. Now is the time for us to display what it means to be loved by God, and to love one another, even if we disagree on some areas that are not clear in God's Word.
Take the time to read: 1 Peter 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 5:1-2 and Ephesians 4:11-16
Ask God to give you a humbled gracious heart and join us in this opportunity to display what it means to follow Jesus in a broken world. Let us be like Him, and show it in how we live and share with one another about Him.
He has good works for you to walk in, so as you do, rejoice that you are His trophy of grace, and His choice to show His love to others through (Ephesians 2:1-10).
Excited for Sunday, and the hope of welcoming back all of God's people who call CBC home over the next weeks and months!
WELCOME HOME citizens of His Kingdom!
A fellow pilgrim on the journey,
Pastor Rob