24 March 2020

 

Dear Church family,

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On Sunday afternoon the elders of the Howick Baptist Church met to discuss how we are to proceed in these uncertain times. Every day it seems, we are given new information. Every day we are told that the numbers of people that have covid-19 is growing and more measures are being taken to restrict social contact. The elders had already planned to  close down all the activities run by the church until further notice. These included, youth group, boys brigade, ICONZ, home groups, church services and those outside groups that use the church. The latest government mandate confirms what we planned was right.

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However, we will be providing alternatives. Last Sunday we began live streaming the church service on the internet and many of you logged into it. This will continue with changes in keeping with the the new government requirements.  We also will be providing Bible studies activities for you to do during the week. As well as this we will be providing regular updates through email or video to encourage you.

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Neither Sam nor myself and the elders can encourage you all on our own. It is a whole church effort. We would encourage you to keep in contact with people over this time. Make a point of phoning someone every couple of days to keep in contact. If there are any needs or concerns, don’t hesitate to call Richard or Sam or one of the elders. We do need to hear from you. We would encourage you to use the Howick Baptist website and also our Facebook page. These are ways we can encourage one another, As well as this, we encourage you to share, either through email or video, messages of encouragement from the Scriptures, testimonies of God’s goodness and even some things for the children. Please send them either to the church or to Sam and myself. We can then put them up on the Howick Baptist website. If you have prayer requests, please contact Ruth Wade. Some might need shopping to be done and so please do not hesitate to contact Ray through email and we can arrange for someone to come and do that for you.

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Most importantly, lean on Jesus, trust in Him for He will never let you down. Listen to what king David did when he felt he was under assault in Psalm 27 -

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The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock.

 

Please keep in touch with one another and the pastors and elders. These are difficult times but at the same time we believe that God can use these times to strengthen our faith and build His church and proclaim the wonderful hope of the gospel.

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In Christ,

Richard