Pastoral Letter 31 : 13 November 2020

BEREA CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

PASTORAL LETTER No. 31

13 November 2020

Dear Family and friends of the Berea Congregational Church,

As mentioned last week the Management Committee met last night for its final meeting this year and many matters were dealt with for immediate attention and in planning for the future. Some of items which required immediate attention were, our annual outreach donations to a number of charity and church based support organisations. This honours our commitment to take 10% of our offerings in obeying the Lord’s teaching for church communities to reach out beyond themselves to those where support is needed. We also discussed the urgent need to upgrade our office computer which is now over fifteen years old. Looking to next year, with the success of our recorded services in reaching the local homes for the aged and our members who are confined to their homes, it has become a necessity to consider the purchase of a video camera and equipment. This will need someone who will commit themselves on a regular basis to operate the system. I believe it is a wonderful opportunity for someone to do this as a very meaningful way to serve the Lord and if they are young at the same time get valuable experience in this field.

It is good to have more of our members returning on Sundays for worship, so please pray about this and if you are comfortable about this come and join us. We were blessed to receive notification that one of our Overport members had provided a legacy in her will for the church. A truly wonderful way to thank the Lord for all He had done for her during her life. A bit of bad news is that the Overport store room was broken into overnight and the lawnmower, ten umbrellas used by Lavender Gardens were stolen. These will need to be replaced and the security gate upgraded.

I would again appeal to you to share with us any news for which we could rejoice with you or pray about for you. A bit of wonderful news that I can share with you is that today (13^th) Malcolm and Heather Impson celebrate their 58^th wedding anniversary. Wonderful mile stone, congratulations to you and may God bless you for many more to come. Friends please pray for the Deacons Meeting on Sunday which takes place after church. That God will guide us as we wait on Him in planning for the future.

May God bless and protect you and your loved ones, Robin.

Have you ever wondered why Birthdays Should Be Celebrated? Here is Christian perspective written by Rev. Margaret Minnicks an ordained Bible teacher.

 ‘Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,

for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working

nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.’

ECCLESIASTES 9:10

I often wonder why it is so much a part of every person to postpone things. Procrastination is the thief of time, is a well-known saying. And how many times haven’t I regretted having postponed things. I waited so long to welcome the new neighbours that I now feel too awkward to do it; the terminally ill lady whom I still wanted to visit had died in the meantime; the cupboard still has not been tidied; I owe my school friend a letter for more than a year. I often feel that my whole life is lived under the cloud of postponement!

In one of his books, Martin Luther wrote: “If God says “Today”, the devil says “Tomorrow”’

‘If only we could learn to do the things that must be done today, the world will be a much better place; so much more will be done and we will have much fewer regrets. Because today is the only time we are really sure of – tomorrow could never arrive for us. Therefore, we may not waste today.’

Also, as regards problems and crises, we can start working on solutions today, instead of wishing them away or simply ignoring them. Insurmountable problems become much lighter when they are no longer postponed, but tackled one day at a time.

Are you also a person who loves to postpone? Then work at it today! Compile a list of the unfinished things in your life and start finishing them systematically. It never helps to wait until you have more time or the time is convenient. Rather make the time convenient and do whatever you can today so that you will not regret it tomorrow. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow must still come, and today is the only day you have in your hand. Therefore, today is precious – use it as best you can!

-This excerpt was written by Nina Smit is used by permission of Struik Christian Media

      Siyabathanda News

29 November: Last day for handing in Love Boxes

5 December: Christmas Party. Those who would like to join in; we will meet at the church parking area between 8h00 and 8h30 so that we can pack the cars and prepare for the trip.