“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
As we cross over into a New Year, we do so knowing that the God who walked with us through the wilderness of 2020 will go before us.
None of us could have ever dreamed 2020 would unfold as it did. This time last year, there was no thought of masks, hand sanitizer, “social distancing”, toilet paper shortages and a host of other new realities. But none of this took God by surprise. Neither will anything we will face in 2021.
As a church, we have done the very best we could to balance continuing to worship God week by week with the need to keep people safe. When our President and our Governor requested churches to pause meeting in-person from mid-March until early May, we cooperated, as you responded with faith and courage, and God provided once again! With the exception of one Sunday, we have met for worship every week since May 10. We praise God for that. We continue to do two worship services each Sunday Morning – 8:30 & 10:30 AM – so that we can keep every other pew blocked off to provide distancing. There is no way to perfectly please everyone on how to approach things, but please always be assured we are doing our best to find the right balance.
It is our hope that as 2021 unfolds, we will be able to return to our full range of Sunday School classes and other regular activities as soon as possible. Our target for doing so is March or April, but that will depend on conditions on the ground at that time. It takes workers willing to commit to being here every week to carry out those ministries, and as soon as we have the workers who feel able to get out and come to church, we can resume those ministries. I know it will happen at the right time. We are trusting God to lead and to provide His guidance and strength.
Until then, we carry on with the worship of the Lord and the proclamation of His love and grace! Our GROW Ministry resumes in January on Tuesday nights, and our Online broadcasting of services and Bible Studies continues to grow. This is one new ministry that has come out of this difficult year! God is always at work around us. Praise God for those He has used to begin and grow this vital ministry!
I want to thank you for your love for the Lord, your support of His work through Cornerstone, your patience and encouragement. I am humbled to serve as your Pastor and to see the tremendous faith you have, and continue to demonstrate! Never doubt that God is using you and your witness in a powerful way. He has great things in store for us in 2021! Let us go into this New Year with complete confidence in Him, and with joy in our hearts! May God richly bless you as we continue to serve the Lord Jesus together.
Pastor Brian