GBC Community Update: Ready for Sunday!

Good afternoon!  It’s been nice to see people here at the church again as we prepare to return to worship here on Sunday. I hope your week is going well. Things are going to look different and be different on Sunday for those who are coming (it’ll look different on the livestream as well!). Let’s not be distracted by this but instead let’s focus on what doesn’t change-God and the Bible.  Let’s keep our eyes fixed on that and everything else will take care of itself. For those who are coming, I look forward to seeing you. For those who can’t or are just not ready yet, no problem, we can always connect by phone or Zoom, feel no pressure to come until you’re ready, we’re not going anywhere!
 
 
Update on our re-opening Sunday!
An overview of procedures is available on our home page. Please look at it and read carefully so you’re prepared for how things are going to go on Sunday.
 
One encouragement I’d like to give is to arrive early so seating can be smooth and there’s no jam up at the last minute. There will be a way in and way out and so the more time you give yourself, the easier it will be.
 
Also, just so you know, our bathrooms are going to be limited to two people at a time, so plan accordingly!! 
 
Remember afterwards, please leave the auditorium when the service finishes and socialize outside. Once those people are clear those staying for the question and answer time will be asked to come to the front and we’ll begin.  It’ll be nice to have an audience!
 
 
Weekly Phone Callout Team ends
Back in March (hard to believe!!) when the lockdown started a number of people volunteered to do weekly callouts to keep us all connected. I know many of you appreciated this a lot and it helped you to stay linked to GBC. With the church opening on Sunday and society starting to open up I thought it was time to thank these people and release them from this responsibility.
Thank you to Helen Martini, Sandy MacDonald, Jennifer Timm, Margaret Bowman, Henry Thiessen and Patrick and Andrea Thornton who FAITHFULLY called all of us on a regular basis week after week. I appreciate this tangible way you let your light shine through such a difficult time.
 
Now, just because the team has ended doesn’t mean we should stop finding ways to connect!  Is someone on your mind? Give them a call, send a text or email. Let’s keep building relationship!
 
 
A Thought for the Day: Trust God for one day at a time.
As I’ve been preparing for Sunday verses 13 and 14 of Philippians 3 have been sticking out to me.  As we “strain forward” we can steal our future by bringing its worries into today. Jesus said it this way, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today”. You have enough on your plate today. Don’t add anything else.

It’s okay to plan for tomorrow. We’re encouraged in this text to “press on”, but right now, we’re going through one of the most unique experiences in history. While we may make plans, we can prepare for tomorrow without living in tomorrow. You can only live in today.
 
God is constantly testing how much we trust him. God wants us to decide whether he really holds first place in our lives. We need to be clear about this and then, through the Spirit, we can deal with today.  This unique period of history is one of the biggest tests we’ll ever face when it comes to trusting God. God has promised to care for us. He will meet our needs.  Will we trust him?
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris