LBC Family & friends, 11/18/20
There are times in life when you are forced to make decisions that you really dislike. This is one of those times. For the duration of this year I have had several medical professionals, both inside LBC and outside, that have served as a great source of counsel for me. I have asked them to help me stay as far ahead of this virus based on actual numbers that they are seeing in NJ hospitals, clinics, icu’s, and on ventilators. My desire & prayer has been that these numbers would stay low and that we would be able to continue to services as we have for the past several months. Sadly that is not the case. The numbers are rapidly growing and this virus is clearly rearing its ugly head again. I know that the numbers we see through media are many and perhaps most times not trustworthy but I fully trust those that have been informing me personally. They love The Lord, His church, you, and gathering together weekly. This was not an easy decision but it is necessary. After communicating with the trustees we have decided to shut the campus back down, effective now. I know this is disappointing for you and please know that we deeply feel that as well. Here are a few things to guide us as we walk through this next chapter together:
We are still a church. We are still His church. Regardless of what we see in today’s world that brings with it a huge promise and much comfort. Jesus promised that He would build HIS church and that “the gates of hell would not prevail against it.” (Mt. 16:18) Basically the church can not lose. Jesus will not allow anything to overcome His bride. I don’t see it at this moment and we may not on this side of eternity but He is doing something very good by allowing this to take place. We can trust Him. We must trust Him, HE is the only hope we have.
All services will return to virtual and online. None of us likes this. However it is once again a great way for us to flood the internet airwaves with the Gospel message and some hope in these trivial times. Beginning this Sunday, 11/22, I will begin posting my sermons online and we will not have any in person gatherings at the church campus. I will have them posted by 8:30 each Sunday morning on Facebook, Youtube, & the church website. If you use any of those resources please make sure to share or repost the messages so that others can stay plugged in. If you know of others who do not know how to use these outlets and you can help please do so. If you need help please contact me or the church office.
I do not know the timeline of this current shutdown. Please know that this is not mandated by the local government at this time. That day may come but this is strictly from me, your pastor and friend, and from a Trustee board that deeply loves and cares for you. Our commitment to you is that we will evaluate weekly and I will continue to update you as we move through this together. It would be foolish for us to not face reality when dealing with this. In all likelihood this will run for several weeks and possibly through the end of the holiday season and 2020. Please join me in praying for mercy and that I am completely wrong about that. The Lord could stop this thing in a moment if that’s what He decides brings Him the most glory. Let us pray that way.
I completely understand the heaviness. Knowing that this may affect yet another holiday season this year is painful and difficult. I do not take that lightly. If that occurs I will continue to work with the Deacons/Deaconesses & Trustees to do whatever we can to make sure to celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Savior with as much togetherness as possible. I will keep you updated during the process.
He is faithful. If you have been around at all or read any updates you have heard or seen the ways in which The Lord has remained to be faithful in providing for this local body. So much so that the budget was far surpassed and The Trustees, with permission from the church, were able to make a 41k dollar principal payment on the gym. That is a huge deal and The Lord deserves great praise and all the glory. He has chosen to do that by providing to & through the body at LBC. I ask that you continue to stay faithful in your giving. Many of you have chosen to mail in your tithes and offerings and I ask that you continue or restart in doing that. Others of you have given online. That option has been shut down for a while now due to some unforeseen issues but it is being worked out and will be back running very soon. I will update with that info when it becomes available. Let me finish this bullet point with two quotes that I deeply love. One from one of my heroes and the other from one of my personal mentors.
“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”
-Hudson Taylor (missionary to China)
“None of us will get to Heaven and look into Jesus’ eyes and say, “I sure wish I had given less.”
- Dr. Stan May (Pastor & missionary to Zimbabwe)
There is no question that this has been a difficult season in many ways. One of the most difficult is the financial strain that it has put on some of you. While I can not guarantee that all needs can be met, I can guarantee that they will be prayed for and talked about among the Deacons/Deaconesses. I have watched that board pray and give to support many within and outside the church over the last year. They are faithful and wise to use the Lord’s money entrusted to them for His kingdom purposes and caring His people. If you have a need please contact me or the church offices. That is why we are a body…a family, because we are called to love and help each other.
This update could go on forever. There is so much more to be said but this is enough for now. I will continue to update you in coming days. Please continue to check your emails, social media, and the church website. Please play your role by spreading the info to everyone, praying for each other, and abiding in Christ as we walk hand in hand with Him and each other as we wade these waters together. Let us rest in the fact that He who knew this storm would arise is the same who can call it by name and shut it down when He chooses to do so.
I love you.
For His Name’s sake,
Brock
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25