Pastor’s Update 5/20/2020

        This past Sunday, Grace Fellowship conducted a glorious outdoor service of worship.  It was my hope that we had a Psalm 34 praise service.  The Psalmist expressed his thankfulness in worship.  It was not because his circumstances were good.  It was not because of his strength or accomplishments.  His thankfulness was born from his experience in seeking and turning his attention to God.  And what came of it: “He heard me and delivered me from my fears.”  He realized that he was not alone, but that his God was at his side, whose presence brought a sense of peace and security.

        In the Psalm 34 service of worship, the people came together to share what God had done in each other’s lives.  This is a major element of our gathering to worship: “let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.”  (Heb. 10:24-25) Our faith needs to be strengthened by the praise and testimonies of others.  It gives us hopefulness and expectancy.

        The participants in the Psalm 34 worship learned that God is good, near, and is always adequate.  The assembly reached this common conclusion: “My God shall supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

        There is only one way to know these truths, and that is by personal experience.  So I end this devotional message with this appeal from Ps 34:8: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is that man, who trusts in Him!”

        The Grace Fellowship will again gather for a May 24 Service of Worship outdoors on the front lawn (weather permitting and sanctuary will be available) and metal folding chairs will be available.  Please attend, if you can, and bring your lawn chair.  All are invited to bring a picnic lunch in order to eat and fellowship after the service.  Pastor Mark Tanner will be giving our Sunday Service Message this Sunday.

        The office will be closed on Monday, May 25 for the Memorial Weekend.

        I praise the Lord for the faith and boldness of some of our North Carolina brethren who took the state government to court for violating the First Amendment of the Constitution in their restrictions on church gatherings.  A federal judge has ruled in our favor and those restrictions are removed for the present.  The democratic governor says he will not appeal Judge James C. Dever’s decision.  Thus, we will conduct our first gathering since the middle of March in our Worship Center on May 31^st.

        We will begin back by only having our Praise and Worship hour.  There will be no Life Groups or Sunday School classes at the present.  And until we can study the matter of whether we need to change how we do nursery, there will be no nursery or Grace Kids during the worship hour for now.  Also, let us practice good health practices while we are together (social distancing, etc.).  Only attend if you feel comfortable being out and if your personal health condition allows.

        Speaking of having picnics, July 3 will be our church wide patriotic picnic on the church grounds.  The picnic will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude with fireworks at our neighborhood JC Park.  Further details will be forthcoming.