If you have not heard, just a couple days ago, the pastor of Sun Grove Church here in Elk Grove died of COVID. This was, as I understand it, a great surprise. Perhaps some of you knew him. I don’t know what his vaccination status or overall health was – I would not know him …
Last Sunday night at Cornerstone we discussed the concept of deacons. If you were there, I trust it was a fruitful discussion. If you could not be there, I invite you to get the perspective of someone who was there. But here are a few salient points. I went out of normal order – I …
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Grace, Historically, Grace Church has sent out a letter each quarter that accompanies giving statements. That letter talks about what’s going on in the church, gives giving numbers, and encourages everyone in their faith. This letter has been useful, and appreciated. But with God giving us this new space, we …
We are in the middle of our current membership class, and we are thankful that so many have taken the step to investigate and, Lord willing, pursue membership. It’s therefore a great time to consider church membership – is it a biblical thing? Why have it? 1. Because it pictures the blessed rule of Christ …
Introduction This past week we began a new facet of worship, one that is quite ancient among the people of God: having our children join us for Communion. I say that this is an ancient practice among the people of God, because of Exodus 12:25-27: Exodus 12:25–27 (ESV): 25 And when you come to the land …
It seems to me a good time to remind you or reiterate some of our thinking behind our responses to COVID and the government’s orders. From the beginning, our default approach to COVID has been to follow the County health authorities’ guidelines. At the same time, we have intentionally not made commands to the congregation, …
Thoughts on Our Approach to COVID and Government Orders Read More »
Introduction It seems at every point during this COVID lockdown, we are learning something, about ourselves. As Cinderella wisely taught us in the 80’s, you don’t know what you got (till it’s gone). Or until it’s threatened: so often in Salt Lake City we heard Christians say “I’ve learned so much about the gospel since …
Today the governor prohibited churches from meeting indoors. This is obviously not the direction we hoped for. You can pray for the elders, as we discuss our next steps. But for now, for you who have put so much time and sweat into our new facility: Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding …
We all come to the coronavirus situation with preconceived notions of what is best; ideas and political leanings established in the past, by our upbringing, experiences, jobs and training, etc. And not all of our notions will agree with one another’s. Thus we have sought from the beginning to keep one finger on God’s “preconceived …
In a recent article in the New York Times,* translator Laura Marris recounts a speech that the Algerian author Albert Camus gave in 1946, after World War II. Against the “plague” of Nazism and totalitarianism (one of Camus’ greatest works was the novel “The Plague”), Camus called for “. . . communities of thought outside …