Gathering Again (1.17.21)

Over the past weeks, we have been learning once again to wait on the Lord (Psalm 40:1). To beg Him for wisdom and direction. To diligently seek Him in His Word (Proverbs 2:1-6). These have been and will continue to be trying days, but we trust that God is accomplishing His perfect work through this season of trial (James 1:2-4). And so we, like Paul, desire to rejoice all the more gladly in our weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon us (2 Corinthians 12:9)! 

When we come back together this Lord’s Day (1.17.21), we are going to do a few things differently. As your pastors, we are simply trying to discern what the Lord is doing and respond as the Spirit directs through the Word. We have acknowledged many times over the past months, we won’t always get it right. We are striving to know the Word and walk in submission to the Word, but please be patient with us for we have feet of clay. What we do ask from you is that you would genuinely love us, pray for us, and graciously submit to us because it is good for your souls (Hebrews 13:17). With that being said, here’s what we request moving forward: 

1. Please RSVP for the 9AM or 11AM worship service. This will allow us to provide adequate physical distancing in the worship center. If you do not have young children, please consider worshipping at the 11AM service since we only offer Kids Discipleship at the 9AM. If both services fill up, we will offer a third service.

2. Please wear a face-covering when you are entering & exiting the building. Since we are physically distancing in the worship center, we are not requesting that you wear face-coverings once at your seat (per the CDC & County guidelines). But out of respect for the variety of convictions in the body and deference to our governing authorities, please wear a face-covering when entering & exiting the building. 

3. If you or anyone in your family has experienced Covid-like symptoms in the past two days (i.e. fever, soar throat, cough, nausea, body aches, loss of taste/smell), we request that you worship from home. Of course our desire is to worship together, but we do not want another outbreak to occur at EGBC that leads us to suspend in-person worship services. 

Saints, be encouraged - God is at work to grow our faith (Romans 14:23b). At the end of the day, God is always after our faith. He wants us to to walk humbly before Him (Micah 6:8), to fear Him (Psalm 128:1), to love Him (Deuteronomy 6:5), and to discern all of life through the lens of His Word (Romans 12:2). God has been and will continue to use these present circumstances to expose where we lack faith and by grace, produce greater faith in us. Brothers & sisters, my prayer for EGBC, is that God will mature us through this season of trial. That no member of EGBC will respond carnally or in the flesh, but that each of us will press all the more into the Lord & His Word. That we will truly come through this season more like Jesus, not less. 

If you’re able in your conscience to gather together, please RSVP for this coming Lord’s Day. It will be sweet to gather with one another, to exercise our spiritual gifts towards one another, to sing unto the Lord together, and to hear from God’s Word together. If in your conscience you are not able to gather, that’s alright - we will continue live-streaming the 9AM service. 

Striving to be faithful - Pastor Justin (for all the EGBC pastor-elders)