Hello GBC Family,
Besides being concerned, along with the rest of the world, about the Corona Virus, I have a measure of concern about our church family. My concern isn’t a fear, just a pastoral concern.
Being in church every Lord’s Day is an important “means of grace” that the Lord uses to grow us in Him and keep us close to Him. (I believe that the Thursday worship service is also very important for the same reasons!)
Missing corporate worship for a string of Sundays (and Thursdays) could adversely affect our spiritual growth. For that reason I want to do everything I can to make up for missing church in these days of the COVID-19 Virus.
One of the most important ways is the webcasts on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. Forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but please tune in and participate as fully as you are able, both on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. Set the time aside and watch with as many as are in your household. Sing. Even if it feels awkward at first. Worship in song is important for our spiritual health. And knowing that many others are simultaneously doing the same in their homes will encourage us that we are “together in the Spirit,” even if not “physically in the body”! Since you will not be driving home from church, take a few moments after the webcast to review any sermon notes you took, and discuss the service with anyone in your family that is with you. Take a moment to pray for our church family in this time of dispersion.
Another way I am trying to keep us together is by communicating with you via emails and now in this regular blog. I may miss some days here and there, but I will try to post something by way of news and devotional material as close to daily as I am able. I will also send an email reminder whenever I post something on this blog so you can remember to take a look.
The Psalmist wrote, “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 122:1) I hope you look forward to gathering with God’s people in the house of the Lord on the Lord’s Day (and Thursday evenings) as often as you are able. I hope you come to church with gladness, anticipating that you will hear from the Lord as you sing praises to God with God’s people, and as you hear God’s Word read and preached.
And in these days when we must suspend our regular meetings, I hope and pray we will all experience the same gladness and anticipation simultaneously in our homes that we enjoy when we are together at 10239 Hertz Street in Moorpark!
Stay well. Stay connected. And stay tuned for more later,
Errol