Word from our Pastor

October 2020

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Jesus’ name!

As we enter the tenth month of the year there is some consolation that we are now able meet for worship although with restrictions. We are grateful to God that at least some of us can gather together.

Since Covid19 hit the world some of our fears have come true. We have lost our loved ones; we have been restricted in our movements, and many protocols to follow when we go out. Visiting our loved ones also is not possible and life in general is not the same. Incidents of depression and other psychological problems are surfacing as a result of the lockdowns. Relationships within the family have become strained as a result of the Pandemic lockdown. For many of us our lifestyles have changed. People are talking of this as the New Normal. How do we continue as a church in the Pandemic? What are the implications of being the church in the Pandemic?

There are questions for us as a church. Do we need to change? If so in what ways do we respond in these times of Pandemic. In the midst of many changes however there are somethings that do not change for us as a Church. God doesn’t change; God’s word does not change and our identity as a church does not change. We get our identity from the Word of God that does not change.

God doesn’t change; God’s word does not change and our identity as a church does not change. We get our identity from the Word of God that does not change.

We will be looking at various features of the church in the Pandemic. We will be looking at its identity, its ministry within the Body of Christ, the ministry to the world and its leadership during these time. All of these we take in the light of the word of God.

At such a time it is important to know our identity. We are best able to cope when we know our identity.

Anthony Hunt says, crisis reveals the strength of the church’s ministries of connection and message of hope. Even with changing patterns of interaction, we need ministries of prayer, community support, and missional engagement more than ever. Therefore, during these days let us not feel we cannot do anything. We can respond in self-sacrificing, compassionate service to the needs of people in our society. Historically for the last 2000 yrs., the church has been dealing with the Pandemic by reaching out to the suffering by self-sacrificial service. The church has also drawn together in supporting one another and standing in the gap for each other. The church has responded out of love for the Lord and the recognition that we are all a part of a community.

The church has always become stronger as she comes through the pandemic.

The church has always become stronger as she comes through the pandemic. Because Jesus said, …, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.(Mat 16:24-25)

Therefore let us set aside all fear and be willing to stand up and serve the bruised world. Let us discover God’s purpose for our lives as individuals and as a church. As we enter the New Normal let us go forward with confidence and assurance that God is already in the New Normal.

May we may become the community that is passionately maturing in Christ and compassionately reaching out to the world for the glory of God.

God Bless You.
In Christ
Pastor John R. A. Simeon
(On behalf of the Pastoral Team)

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