Last updated 27/03/2020
Being Church During COVID19
Connecting
We will continue to connect via Facebook on Sundays at 11am for our sermon series on Revelation & then meet in Zoom for fellowship & prayer after at 11.30am. We're also planning to do some live worship on the Facebook page during the week so keep an eye out for notification. We can also schedule regular prayer meetings in Zoom, you'll be notified about these in WhatsApp. This will enable us to meet online in ways we can interact with each other. And of course we can continue to keep in touch via WhatsApp. We can also continue to seek ways to maximize the use of all these platforms at this time.
Also please remember in prayer the older members of our congregation who are not online. I will be contacting them regularly to check how they are. Also regarding any ministry needs don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Exploring Faith
On Sunday evening I'm going to do a Facebook live on the AG page at 8.30pm with a mixture of music, fun, story & prayer. This will be aimed at sharing Christian faith & hope with others so it would be good if your started a watch party with your Facebook friends. On Wednesday's we're going to begin the Just 10 series by J. John as we planed. This too is aimed at helping others explore faith. The video will be posted on our Facebook page on during the day on Wednesday & in a WhatsApp Group created for those who would like to take part. Then will we will meet in Zoom at 8.30pm for discussion etc. Further details will be sent to the church WhatsApp.
Also let me encourage you again to use this period as an opportunity for reaching out to family, friends & neighbours who are online. Maybe you could video a short testimony about why you are a Christian & post it on social media. Or as suggested before you could invite friends & family to do Alpha with you on Zoom. The video could be posted in a WhatApps Group specially created for inviting your personal friends & family. Then the discussion group could be scheduled on Zoom afterward. I believe there is an opportunity here to learn new & effective ways to reach out in this uncertain time.
Serving
I would continue to encourage you to be on the lookout for ways to quietly get involved in serving in your local area if you have time & opportunity. For example in our local area a group has been created to help do grocery or prescription runs for the elderly & vulnerable in the community. There will likely be something similar in your area. The Family Resource Centre in Westport also have forms on their door, in Supervalu & online for those who would like to volunteer to help the elderly & vulnerable. Also the HSE has launched their Be On Call For Ireland appeal https://hbsrecruitmentservices.ie Let me know if you have any other ideas.
Giving
Obviously the fact we are not physically meeting at present means we cannot collect our weekly offering at this time. With our charity shop also closing for the period this will effect finances too. Yet we still have the same monthly costs. So as with other organizations & businesses this is going to have an effect on our finances as a church family. Obviously we understand some people may be out of work because of the situation. So please do not let this be an extra burden to you at this time. All I would ask is, if you still can, that you continue to set aside what you have committed before the Lord to give each week/month. You can either put this aside for when we can meet physically again, or you can set up a direct debit with the church account.
COVID19 Guidelines
Please continue to follow the government restrictions & guidance regarding hand washing & social distancing etc so we can all play our part in protecting one another & all at this time. Also keep up to date with official news channels so you can stay informed about any new measures.
Let me underline again that Amazing Grace Fellowship is not closing or stopping during this season. Rather we are simply reshaping & adapting to the situation by using the means available. More than ever we need to remember that church is not a location we go to or a meeting we attend, but it's who we are! A dynamic movement of people whose lives have been set apart by the grace of God for the mission of God. Part of the purpose of our weekly times together has always been to remind us of this! For now these times are online, but the everyday mission remains the same: Planting the good news of Jesus in hearts & communities. Let's make extra effort to do so in these days. Let's be good news people in the midst of all the fear & uncertainty.
Grace be with you,
Pastor John
We will continue to connect via Facebook on Sundays at 11am for our sermon series on Revelation & then meet in Zoom for fellowship & prayer after at 11.30am. We're also planning to do some live worship on the Facebook page during the week so keep an eye out for notification. We can also schedule regular prayer meetings in Zoom, you'll be notified about these in WhatsApp. This will enable us to meet online in ways we can interact with each other. And of course we can continue to keep in touch via WhatsApp. We can also continue to seek ways to maximize the use of all these platforms at this time.
Also please remember in prayer the older members of our congregation who are not online. I will be contacting them regularly to check how they are. Also regarding any ministry needs don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Exploring Faith
On Sunday evening I'm going to do a Facebook live on the AG page at 8.30pm with a mixture of music, fun, story & prayer. This will be aimed at sharing Christian faith & hope with others so it would be good if your started a watch party with your Facebook friends. On Wednesday's we're going to begin the Just 10 series by J. John as we planed. This too is aimed at helping others explore faith. The video will be posted on our Facebook page on during the day on Wednesday & in a WhatsApp Group created for those who would like to take part. Then will we will meet in Zoom at 8.30pm for discussion etc. Further details will be sent to the church WhatsApp.
Also let me encourage you again to use this period as an opportunity for reaching out to family, friends & neighbours who are online. Maybe you could video a short testimony about why you are a Christian & post it on social media. Or as suggested before you could invite friends & family to do Alpha with you on Zoom. The video could be posted in a WhatApps Group specially created for inviting your personal friends & family. Then the discussion group could be scheduled on Zoom afterward. I believe there is an opportunity here to learn new & effective ways to reach out in this uncertain time.
Serving
I would continue to encourage you to be on the lookout for ways to quietly get involved in serving in your local area if you have time & opportunity. For example in our local area a group has been created to help do grocery or prescription runs for the elderly & vulnerable in the community. There will likely be something similar in your area. The Family Resource Centre in Westport also have forms on their door, in Supervalu & online for those who would like to volunteer to help the elderly & vulnerable. Also the HSE has launched their Be On Call For Ireland appeal https://hbsrecruitmentservices.ie Let me know if you have any other ideas.
Giving
Obviously the fact we are not physically meeting at present means we cannot collect our weekly offering at this time. With our charity shop also closing for the period this will effect finances too. Yet we still have the same monthly costs. So as with other organizations & businesses this is going to have an effect on our finances as a church family. Obviously we understand some people may be out of work because of the situation. So please do not let this be an extra burden to you at this time. All I would ask is, if you still can, that you continue to set aside what you have committed before the Lord to give each week/month. You can either put this aside for when we can meet physically again, or you can set up a direct debit with the church account.
COVID19 Guidelines
Please continue to follow the government restrictions & guidance regarding hand washing & social distancing etc so we can all play our part in protecting one another & all at this time. Also keep up to date with official news channels so you can stay informed about any new measures.
Let me underline again that Amazing Grace Fellowship is not closing or stopping during this season. Rather we are simply reshaping & adapting to the situation by using the means available. More than ever we need to remember that church is not a location we go to or a meeting we attend, but it's who we are! A dynamic movement of people whose lives have been set apart by the grace of God for the mission of God. Part of the purpose of our weekly times together has always been to remind us of this! For now these times are online, but the everyday mission remains the same: Planting the good news of Jesus in hearts & communities. Let's make extra effort to do so in these days. Let's be good news people in the midst of all the fear & uncertainty.
Grace be with you,
Pastor John
