Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Beginning today, each Monday I will be sending you a word of encouragement. I hope that this will enable us to stay connected and informed during this extended time when we cannot meet together in person. My prayer is that you will not only stay up-to-date with any news that is relevant to the congregation, but that you will find great hope and strength despite the difficulties that have come upon us.
First, I pray that the weekly orders of worship and sermon videos are of great help to you. We are so thankful to the Lord that we are able to do this, and we trust that the Lord’s Word will bless and nourish you richly each Sunday.
Secondly, while we are profoundly saddened that we are unable to meet, we do rejoice that all of this is in the hands of our loving Father in Heaven. Our times and circumstances are fully under His control. And, based upon His unfailing Word, we know with absolutely certainty that all of this, however long it might last or intense it might yet become, is being used for our good and our Savior’s glory!
We also know that by not meeting together, and by observing the ordinances of our Governor and State Health Department, we are acting in love toward one another and our neighbors. Anything that we may reasonably do in order to prevent the spread of the virus will bring glory to Christ and good to our world.
Now for a Brief Word of Encouragement
All of us are most familiar with those New Testament verses that instruct us as to how we are to relate to one another. This rather extensive listing of Scripture passages is commonly referred to as ‘the one-another passages.’ You can probably list several in your mind right now, such as: “ love one another,” “ forgive one another,” “ be patient toward one another,” and “ exhort one another.”
But the one that is on my mind today is found in Romans 12:10 (NASB)–“ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.”
One of the most important ways we can care for each other during this difficult and unprecedented time is to express our loving devotion to one another. And this can be done, even when we cannot meet physically.
I’m sure that, perhaps many times recently, the Spirit of the Lord has brought someone from our congregation to your mind. You’ve missed them and wondered how they are, especially those who have suffered some physical or material hardship of late. Let me suggest that when this happens, when the Holy Spirit prompts you to remember one of your brothers or sisters in Christ, that you contact them. This might be done though a phone call, an email, a text, or even a handwritten note placed in the mail.
I believe that the Lord is working among us in a powerful way, and that His Spirit is not hindered in the least by the current crisis we are experiencing. The very Spirit of love and mercy that binds us together in the Gospel, unbreakably so, is also at work in our hearts and minds as He moves us to think of those we love so dearly.
Upon every remembrance of one of your dear brothers or sisters in the Lord, pray for them, and then reach out to them immediately! And in this way, even the worst of the days that we may face will be sweeter as we express our holy and loving devotion to each other in Christ Jesus!
A Word About Holy Week
On Thursday and Friday of this week, you will receive a simple Devotional/Worship Reading Plan for use on these two special days, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Each day’s plan, designed for personal devotional use or as a guide to family worship, will consist of several Scripture readings and prayers.
Then on Easter Sunday, our worship order and sermon video will be available on our website for use on Sunday morning.
I love you all so much, and never cease praying for you!
Mike
Prayer Requests
Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Please pray for the Elliotts, expecting in May, the Libertos, expecting in August, and the Elys, expecting in September.
Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.