20th March 2020 - Letter from Stephen Anderson Dear Friends Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I'm writing to you on behalf of the Church Council at this challenging time for us all. As
you well know - the Coronavirus is having a dramatic impact on our
local communities, across the country.... and of course the world. We are all working through what this means for us in our everyday lives as individuals, families and as a Church. You
will have been listening to the guidance from the Prime Minister and
his Advisers about the changes we must make to our lifestyles and
general day to day activities.These include keeping a safe distance;
avoiding meeting in groups, not visiting restaurants etc. For
those people over the age of 70 and those with health conditions then
this is even more stringent asking people to remain as much as possible
in their homes etc. The Church Council has been
keeping in close communication with other Churches and organisations
including the National Leadership of our own denomination Assemblies of Gods (AoG-UK) regarding what our response should be in relation to our Church here in Bentley. Our
National Leader Glyn Barratt has written to us and the Assemblies of
God is following the National Government Guidance together with the
Church of England and Methodist Churches. We
are therefore following this guidance and are suspending Church
Services and Activities - as are our friends at Mount Hermon Church
also. There will therefore be no Services on Sunday or Wednesday or Friends and Fellowship Club till further notice. Our friends from St John Ambulance and Dogs Trust who use our Centre are also suspending all activities. I
think that I've managed to speak to everyone (or a member of the
family) in the last couple of days but wanted to write to you on behalf
of the Church Council to confirm the present arrangements. I'll be keeping in touch mainly by email ( or telephone/text if required). I'm looking into the use of the 'ZOOM App' (which Phill has introduced to me) to see if we can keep in touch via the internet. I'll write to you again very soon about this. **
A number of Church Members have asked me about how they can continue to
give their weekly / monthly Tithes, Offerings and Missions donations
whilst the Services are suspended. For those who
do not already use a Standing Order I can send you the Church's Bank
Details and you can make payments directly into the Account when it is
convenient for you. Just contact me and I'll let you have the details. In my telephone calls to you, I asked if we could do some simple things to stay united in fellowship - for example: 1.
On Sunday Morning at around 11.00 am - take simple communion - bread
and a drink - and pray together in our own homes - sing a hymn / song
if you wish and read a passage of scripture. As we are united
together in fellowship (even though we are not physically together) then
I'm sure the Lord will hear us and bless us. The Scriptures
warn us about not gathering together for fellowship and prayer.These are
exceptional circumstances and we will do our best to stay close to God. 2.
On Wednesday evenings at around 8.00 pm, spend some time in prayer -
read some scripture.- play / sing along with a worship song. Our
brother Solomon regularly sends inspirational messages on Whatsapp and
he just sent one about 'LOCKDOWN' which we are now experiencing in our
Country - I thought it might encourage you. L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N is a time to: L - isten to God's voice and reflect. O - bey His word and His teachings. C - all on Jesus' name and be calmed. K - now what is the purpose of all this. D - well in His secret place. Do not Panic. O - ffer a prayer for everyone's safety. W - ait and be patient. This too will pass over. N - urture our personal relationship with Him. (Please share with family and friends . God Bless us All - Solomon) Let us continue to encourage ourselves in Prayer and reading the Word as we look forward to a time of celebration together. Take care God Bless You All Stephen (On Behalf of the Church Council) Bentley Pentecostal Church ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19th March 2020 - An Old but Now Relevant Hymn O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home: Under the shadow of thy throne, Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is thine arm alone, And our defense is sure. Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame, From everlasting thou art God, To endless years the same. A thousand ages in thy sight Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun. Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day. O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be thou our guide while troubles last, And our eternal home! |
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