Dear brothers and sisters,
Sing a new song to the LORD!
Dear friends, here is a copy of the email and Facebook post I sent out on Friday to bring everyone up to speed about all church services from now on. The congregations can now sing! Praise God! However, if we are gathering (and 10am and 6pm brothers and sisters will still need to book) we are “highly recommended” by both the Archbishop and the Health Department to wear a mask while singing our hearts out.
So, I am bringing a mask with me and putting it on for each song and then singing. I hope you as an adult and any children in your care over 12 years of age will do so.
I’m doing this because I don’t want to run the risk of possibly infecting others when I sing, but experts who were consulted advise, and hospital practice confirms, that talking or saying prayers unmasked is not an issue.
However, please bring a mask with you – church will not be supplying them.
Devoted to prayer
Christmas is perhaps the easiest time of the year for people to hear the gospel message. Let’s pray for one another:
- That our lives and behaviour this Christmas will cause others to ask questions which we are ready to answer
- That many more people will accept our invitations to join us for Christmas gatherings (like many did last night)
- That God will work through all our events and programs to bring people to himself, including young kids (through Christmas Kids Club 21st, 22nd at Airds and Campbelltown)
- That many more people than so far will watch our online Christmas services and be drawn to the Lord.
- That we will know how best to follow through on peoples’ expressions of interest, questions and objections in a busy holiday season.
A live Christmas Service!
Besides the advertised recorded Christmas services available for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (download them on Christmas Eve morning from our YouTube channel and use when you wish) we have now decided to hold the traditional Christmas Eve 11pm Communion service on the Church Green. Newly-released COVID protocols are in place, including unmasked outdoors singing, and proper people density, and we will still need to distance. The bread and grape juice for those who wish to share the Lord’s Supper will be in sealed individual packs delivered hygienically to us in our seats. Despite such restrictions, it’s still wonderful that we can gather in this way and join our voices and lives in praise of our gracious Saviour, Immanuel.
In Jesus’ Name,
Deryck
Acting Rector