Dear Ambassador Family,
As COVID-19 and its impact continues to spread, we find ourselves facing a much longer period of social distancing and physical separation from one another than any of us expected a few weeks ago. We are all still processing and adjusting to the major changes and challenges this situation brings to our lives. In these unprecedented times, we continue to pray for God’s wisdom, comfort, strength and provision for each of you and for our congregation together.
Based on the current regulations, we will not be able to gather in person for at least another four weeks and likely longer. We mourn this loss of gathering for worship and personal fellowship on the Lord's Day, as well as meeting during the week for various activities. Yet, we are thankful for the technology that allows us to gather virtually in groups and to worship in word, song and prayer together online from our homes. We will continue to provide resources for Sunday worship and encourage you to participate in this vital means of grace together online or with your family. Please pray for Pastor Harvey, our staff, and those helping put together these services, as we continue to grow in our technological skills.
Because of the emphasis of the Lord’s Supper being a participation of our union with Christ and communion together in the body, and the focus upon it as a shared meal of the church as we come together, the Session has agreed that we will wait until we are able to come back to worship together in person to celebrate Communion. While we miss this participation in the sacrament together for a time, let it create in us a deeper longing for when we will gather again in Christ’s presence at His table both in this life and the next.
As you know, we have started having opportunities to meet online via Zoom. Our ladies and men’s bible studies, Mainly Music, and other groups are beginning to use that opportunity and we encourage you to join in. Pastor Harvey is leading a Wednesday
prayer meeting online
at 6:30 pm, and we’re working on creative ways to connect with our youth and children’s groups online in the weeks ahead. We want to continue encouraging you to reach out to one another as well. Please continue to check
our website
,
facebook page
and emails for updates and links, and if you have any questions, please
email Jennifer
or call the church office.
Lastly, we want to thank you for your continued stewardship and giving to the church. We have sought to make that as easy as possible through online giving, or you can still mail a check to the church office. We are monitoring our budget and expenses in these uncertain times, but the majority of our expenses continue on. Likewise, if you have material needs yourself during these times due to loss of income or other changes in circumstance, please contact our deacons as we are eager to help provide for those needs as God enables.
The repeated refrain of Psalm 136 tells us to “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his steadfast love endures forever.” Though we may not know exactly when, we do know that these difficult days will eventually end. What endures forever is the steadfast love of our good God, and thus we can give thanks in all circumstances. We give thanks and are praying for each of you. Please do not hesitate to let us know how we can specifically pray or contact your elder if you have need for prayer, encouragement or have any questions.
Walking together with you by faith,
The Ambassador Session
Don Knox
919-264-6622
don.knox@cru.org
Gary Shearin
919-649-1315
Jim Compton
919-291-3264
Tony Clark
919-602-7079
Steve Brown
919-270-1506
Warren Harvey
919-819-8520
wharvey@ambassadorpres.org
