Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)
In these unprecedented times, I am sincerely concerned about how everyone (specifically St. John) is doing. At times, I feel so helpless because I am not directly in contact with most of you. Although I have instructed Deacons and Servant Leaders to connect with as many as possible, I am still uncertain to a great extent of how everyone is doing.
I do know that this pandemic affects people in different ways (in the case of most negatively but in the case of some positively). To individuals who are struggling or suffering, Jesus is extending a very warm and comforting invitation to “Come unto Him.” In doing so, we are guaranteed “rest” which is something that most of us need. Consequently, I encourage everyone who feels restless and bored to make sure you take advantage of our opportunity to rest.
In addition to “rest,” each of us should be diligent in the following ten areas:
- Safety: Are you washing your hands frequently for at least 30 seconds? Are you wearing masks and practicing social distancing in public?
- Online Ministries: Are you participating in our Online Ministries?
- The Lord’s Supper: Are you partaking in our Online Lord’s Supper each 1st Sunday at 8 am or 1:30 pm?
- Podcast Messages: Are you listening and sharing with others each week the Pastor’s Podcast Message?
- The Bible: Are you reading daily a minimum of 3 chapters in the Old Testament and 1 chapter in the New Testament? Are you participating each Sunday in our Online Sunday School? Are you engaged weekly in the Wednesday Bible Study at 7:00 pm?
- Prayer Life: Are you praying at least three times daily (1st prayer between 12-6 am)?
- Prayer Meetings: Are you participating in our Online Prayer Meetings on Wednesdays at 12 pm and/or 6:30 pm?
- Prayer Partner: Do you have a prayer partner that you are praying with at least once per week?
- Outreach: Are you helping others in need? Are you assisting with the Grocery Giveaway?
- Tithes & Offerings: Are you faithfully and generously supporting St. John financially? You can mail or drop off your Tithes and Offerings to our St. John South Campus (662 South 52nd Street—Richmond, CA 94804), or you can give online through our website (sjmbc.org). If you mail or drop off your contribution but no longer have Offering Envelopes, please include a note stating specifically how you want your money to be disbursed.
If you are diligent in all of the above, you are in great shape spiritually. If you are diligent in most of the above, you are in good shape spiritually. If you are not diligent in most or all of the above, you are probably in poor shape spiritually. People who are in poor shape spiritually can expect to struggle or suffer during this pandemic. However, if you want to have joy in spite of this pandemic, I strongly encourage you to fulfill the above ten areas.
May God Bless And Sustain Each of Us.
Your Servant In Christ (Who Is Recovering Well),
Pastor Kevin B. Hall