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SCC COVID-19 UPDATE

March 26th, 2020

Dear SCC, 

In my personal devotional time last week I came across this verse, Do not say “Why were the former days better than these,” because it is not wise for you to ask this, (Eccl. 7:10). This is the sin of my age.  The older I get, the more I am prone to say, “It was better when...”  But he’s right, you know. There is no wisdom in this. And by no wisdom, I mean that there is no Jesus.

Jesus is the wisdom of God (Jn. 1:1).  When we’re living in the past, we’re not able to see how He is speaking, leading, & working, in our present circumstances.  When we’re constantly longing for better days, we are actually longing for a time when we had no real need for Jesus. That’s because we only remember how our present desires were fulfilled in the past.  For example, the Israelites wandering around the desert following their deliverance from slavery were constantly romanticizing their former life in Egypt. Because they were hungry they had distorted their memories and convinced themselves that “back then” they had pots full of meat.  That wasn’t true. Reality was that they had a meagre existence living under the burden of slavery and without freedom. They may have had a meal a day which may have contained some meat. But it sure wasn’t the way they had remembered it. It was their present-day hunger that caused them to conclude that former days were better.  But because they were living in the past they missed God in the present.

These days it’s really tempting to fall into the same pattern.  Over the last two weeks, everything has changed. In some ways, things will never be the same.  History will tell us how we got here, but our faith will tell us how it changed us. The choice we have is to either romanticize the past, or believe that Christ is present with us.  When we believe that He is with us, we will deepen our trust in Him to provide and see that we aren’t alone.

He’s doing that for our church.  We’re seeing How God is using this time to proclaim using technology to people who would have never set foot in the church in the “former” days.  We’re seeing how God is deepening relationships through the simplicity of reaching out to a friend. We’re seeing how God has forced us into renewal, by removing our activities and killing our busyness.  We’re seeing how God is healing our families and establishing new rhythms of loving one another and our neighbours. Things may continue to change. They could even get worse. But God will remain the same and will be with us throughout.

At SCC we’re continuing to navigate a new ministry landscape. I’m grateful for our team of pastors, staff, and lay leaders collaborating together and ensuring that we are declaring and demonstrating the transforming power of the gospel.  We’re seeing the best of our church as people serve, give and pray for one another. As we figure out new rhythms for worship and community, we’re also wanting to make sure that we know of the needs within our towns. At any time, should you come across someone who has a need that you don’t feel you’re able to meet, please reach out to each other or any of the staff to see how we can help.

Here are a few other things you should know:

Worship - Streamed messages will continue for each campus which are made available on Sunday mornings.  Keep an eye on each campus’ Facebook page, or the SCC YouTube channel.  You’re going to see different speakers over the next couple weeks and I know you’ll be blessed by each of them.  Click here to access weekly resources to support your family worship times.

Finances - As we adapt to new ways of doing things, giving is proving to be a challenge.  We also know that many of you are facing financial hardship within the next few months.  Our Board is working diligently to plan both for the short-term and long-term ensuring that the church is being wise in stewardship.  You will be receiving a report from the Board early next week to update you on our financial situation. Until then would you please consider giving online at aplacetobelong.ca/giving or feel free to drop off your gift at the Central Office located in Salmon Arm during office hours, (Mon-Fri. 9am-4:30pm).  

Prayer - It’s good to know that we can pray together even though we’re doing it from our own homes.  I also know that many of you are missing the times of corporate prayer. On Monday at 11:30am I’m going to host a Digital Prayer Meeting on Zoom which anyone with the internet can participate in.  Click here to join.  I’ll give a short devotional, update you and some church happenings, and we’ll spend some time praying together.  

I am keenly aware that things will continue to change. But God won’t.  His face is towards His church, and He is continuing to work around us, in us and through us, in every season.  May we glorify Him in all of them.

Love, 

Pastor Ben