- A Special Message for FSBC -

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Dear Members and Friends of the Lord's Church,

 

As we read the below, we were struck by its truthful message. Please take time to read it and our reminder at the end. We look forward to seeing you Sunday!

 

Shared from the President’s page of Voice of the Martyr’s Magazine

“2020 Was a Great Year for the Advancement of God’s Kingdom”

 

The coronavirus and its resulting hardships have increased the suffering of persecuted Christians who were already facing astonishing difficulties. But their response to this overwhelming adversity has inspired me as I have watched them move forward in God's eternal plan while shunning distraction and discouragement. 

 

None of this year's events have changed or thwarted God's plans; everything He has purposed will surely come to pass (Isaiah 14:24). Though many have wondered, "Where is God in all of this?" and have been tempted to despair, God continues to accomplish His eternal purposes amid and even through this world's problems (Genesis 50:20). His ways are not our ways (see Isaiah 55:8-9), but we can see Him at work through the testimonies of His people. Christ says "lift up your eyes" (John 4:35), and, indeed, when we look beyond our challenges, we can see many victories of eternal consequence this year. 

 

As the Apostle Paul says in 2 Cor. 2:11, we are not "outwitted by Satan" because we are not ignorant of his plans. When the enemy fails in his attempts to see us betray or deny our Lord, he tries to distract us from Christ's commands. It has broken my heart this year to see the enemy use the events of 2020 to turn good and faithful servants (see Matthew 25:23) into frustrated, fearful and fruitless servants.

 

We must resolve to stay focused on our Lord's instructions, and we can do so by living with an understanding that His return is imminent. Unlike many of us in the U.S., Christians in severely persecuted lands have an advantage in embracing this truth because they have little in this world to which they are tempted to cling. Has 2020 shaken your confidence in the things of this world? Good! Let us celebrate the death of our worldly desires (see 1 John 2:16).

 

We should awaken each day with the expectation that it may be the day of Christ's return. Jesus emphasized this sense of urgency when he explained that we must work "while it is day" because "night is coming, when no one can work" (John 9:4).

 

Regardless of what happens in this fallen world, two things are certain: (1) We still have a Lord, and (2) His instructions remain clear. Jesus asked, "... when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8b). Will we be found faithful?  

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FSBC Reminder and Clarification for this Sunday

Please don’t forget that we will resume in person gatherings at FSBC this Sunday, December 6 in the following manner:

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1. We will meet for Bible Study classes at 9:45am in the Community Center and rooms downstairs with spaced seating. We will also meet for Corporate Worship at 11am in the Sanctuary. As we have done in the past, we do ask that everyone wear masks and be appropriately distanced in consideration of the other worshipers.

2. For our 11am Worship Service we will also utilize our spaced seating for our mask mandatory gathering in the Community Center downstairs with the live worship service broadcast on screen.

3. We will continue to offer the live FM (87.9) radio broadcast of the worship service at 11am for those who desire to gather but prefer to stay in their cars in our parking lot and listen.

 

The above methods allow all who would commit to “come together” an opportunity to gather.

 

As has been the emphasis all throughout the Covid season, please stay home if you are sick or feeling ill. No matter what method for gathering you use, please wave at those in their cars when you come and go through the parking lot. Pray for one another. And above all else, love one another as Jesus states in John 13:35.