Church Bulletin – July 12, 2020

July 8, 2020

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Thank you for your patience and prayers regarding the re-opening of our church for public services. Our Session and Board have considered the matter very carefully with much prayer and discussion.

We have decided to reopen on July 26^th for the morning worship only, reverting back to our original service time of 11:00 a.m. for the duration of July and August. We will have in place all the necessary safety protocols, which will be emailed next week. We recognize that some may still feel uncomfortable in returning at this time, and we wish to assure you that we will support your decision to continue to worship with us online.

The evening service will continue on SermonAudio, but will also revert back to the original service time (on July 26^th) of 6:30 p.m. with the pre-service prayer meeting via Zoom at 5:50 p.m. The Wednesday prayer meeting will continue over Zoom.

We look forward to renewing fellowship once again in person.

Much blessing to you and your family,

Pastor Larry Saunders

“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:6-7

Our Lord sought the proximity of sinners, not because there was any affinity between His character and theirs, but because He desired bring them back from the far country into which they had wandered. The straying sheep heedlessly nibbles at the grass which lies immediately in front, and so crops its way until it has wandered a great distance from the shepherd, and the rest of the flock.

Is this a picture of your life? Have you lived only for personal gratification, drifting in thoughtlessness and unconsciousness of the dangers which threaten to destroy you? Then remember, that though you care not for yourself, your condition is stirring the deepest solicitude in the heart of Christ. Probably you will never find your way back to Him, but Christ is on your track, and He will not relinquish his quest until He has come just where you are, and has extricated you from the rocks on which you have fallen, or from the thorns in which you are entangled.

The lost coin bears the image and superscription of the sovereign, once clear-cut by the mint, but it lies unused, tarnished and perhaps defaced, amidst the dust of the corner, or the chink of the floor. Its owner sweeps, ransacks, and explores every possible hiding-place until it is found. How aptly that lost coin represents the soul of man, made in the image of God, lying amid the dust of sin. The one hope for the sinner is the anxiety in the heart of God, who leaves no stone unturned that He may win us back. There is disturbance and removal, and the house of life is upset in every part, for no other reason than that we should be recovered. – F. B. Meyer