April 17, 2020

SGBC Family News | April 17, 2020

Dear SGBC Brothers and Sisters,

The outbreak of the pandemic has not only affected and changed our lives, but it is also believed to be a period of spiritual test for each believer. At this moment, while we need to be adapting to the ever-changing situation, the state of our spiritual life cannot be ignored. The best prescription for maintaining the health of our soul is to take root in the Scriptures and focus on God. I hope that during this pandemic, you will make good use of time, seize the opportunity to learn God ’s Word, get close to the Lord, and know the Lord more deeply.

In view of that, ESC will be looking into a way to encourage brothers and sisters to gather and study God’s Word together. Please stay tuned! And for CSC, Sunday School will be resumed on April 26 via online platform on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings. Details below:

New believers’ class: “Apostle’s Creed” Sundays 9:45-11am Teacher: Maggie Kwok
Believers’ advances class: Sundays 9:45-11am
Mondays 8-9:15pm
Teacher: Tomas To
Teacher: Simon Wong

Platform: Google Meet. Please register at https://forms.gle/JT4FPEhtXvQrPANz7 (deadline: April 19). Enquiry: Maggie Kwok @ [email protected].

The Ontario government has just extended the emergency decree on the outbreak control to mid-May on April 14th. In view of the development of the outbreak and the needs of the community, how should the brothers and sisters of SGBC respond and express Christ’s love? We encourage everyone to actively participate in the following action.

Community Care Campaign: “Love In Action”

How do we reach out and bless our community?

In a time when our society is gripped by panic and fear of the unknown, people look to the Church to remind them of a God who is caring and unshakable. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by the COVID-19, and we strive to love our neighbors in tangible and noticeable ways. SGBC OE Ministry (Outreach & Evangelism) wishes to offer encouragement and help to those in need. Even in this unique time amidst the pandemic, we are committed to the practice of "Love In Action" and take the following step.

* We will make and donate DIY reusable hand-sewn masks

* Reusable hand-sewn masks are non-medical-grade but serve as an additional measure that people can take to protect others around them, especially in situations where maintaining physical distance is a challenge. Our action also aims at reducing the consumption of one-time use surgical masks in order to save them for the frontline health workers who need them the most. Please refer to CDC-US webpage for additional usage instruction and guideline: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Who can help and contribute?

  1. A task group of 8 volunteers has been formed to help make this campaign up and running under the supervision of OE Ministry (Spencer) and pastoral staff (Pastor William).
  2. As a start, we plan to make 500 masks within April. We have already completed half of this goal and donated almost a total of 200 pieces to Northern Gate, Eastridge, Markham Stouffville Hospital and many individuals who needed them.
  3. We wish to recruit 5 more sewers, and to procure elastic band and cotton fabric material as required.
  4. We have set up designated email account for communication on this project, and would like to rally Christians to partner with us, reaching out and connecting with families and friends through our SGBC Life Groups network. Designated email address: [email protected]
  5. Beside the DIY hand-sewn masks, we are grateful to have received a donation of 500 pieces of N95 Masks for frontline health workers. We plan to distribute them to needed health institutions in the forthcoming week. If you know of any frontline health workers personally and would like to recommend specific health institutions that may need N95 masks, please contact our church office or email to [email protected] as soon as possible.
  6. OE will further identify, on an ongoing basis, the needs and other serving opportunities in our community that SGBC may participate in. We look forward to receiving creative ideas from our fellow church members, any ways and means to put our God-given talents and resources to make an impact.

If you have other questions on this project, please feel free to contact us by phone or email:
647-547-3618 (SGBC office: Connie Siu)
[email protected] (Pastor William Wong)

Devotional Materials

The pastoral staff has included "devotional materials" on the church website to provide different options for everyone. Everyone is encouraged to spend time with God in Scriptures daily to draw close to God every day and strengthen their spiritual “immune system” to face all challenges in life.
Bible In One Year https://www.bibleinoneyear.org/
My Utmost For His Highest https://utmost.org/
Our Daily Bread https://odb.org/
Youversion Bible Reading Plans https://www.bible.com/reading-plans
You can also visit church website http://www.stouffville-gbc.org/devos/ to find the links.

ESC Prayer Network & Life Groups

During this challenging time, we must continue to trust our almighty God and seek His will and His presence and to have our faith deepened. I would like to encourage you to join our ESC Prayer Network on Thursdays @ 8-8:45pm to continue to pray together. Moreover, TGIF Young Adult Life Group has been expanded to a weekly gathering starting this Sunday meeting on Sundays at 2-4pm. See you there!

 
Pray that this newsletter will help us walk in the Truth and face the trying times together! See you Sunday!

Rev. Hubert Wu
Senior Pastor
Stouffville Grace Baptist Church