January 2021 - Church Update
All the latest information for the month of January
A word from Pastor Jonny
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (Jer 29:7)
Throughout the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah, God was challenging His chosen people that as though they found themselves exiled in Babylon; they were still called to do regular life, and engage with the issues and concerns of the surrounding culture. Amongst other things, they were to be good and godly neighbours who looked out for the welfare of others.
This is a timely challenge for us right now as we think about what it means to be faithful to God amidst a global pandemic. On the one hand we have this deep desire to gather for corporate worship and fellowship together, and on the other hand we have this very real duty to care for our people and maintain a good witness to our neighbours.
Thankfully the Bible doesn’t pit one concern against the other but shows us again and again that loving God and loving people goes hand in hand, in fact one flows from the other.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)
It’s out of a genuine desire to honour God, and bear a loving witness to our community that as a church leadership we have taken the difficult decision to move our worship services online for the rest of January. As a church we want to adhere to the spirit and not just the letter of the current ‘stay at home’ law.
We understand the huge impact this has on many of our church family, and want to assure you that the life and ministry of GBC very much continues, and the leadership is still here to serve and support you as best we can.
Yours in His love.
Pastor Jonny
SUNDAY ONLINE SERVICES
You can watch our Sunday Morning Services ONLINE at 11am on our usual Media platforms.
You can find links to these below or on our website at www.greenislandbaptist.com
NEW TEACHING SERIES
For the next number of weeks we will be working through our new teaching series “ONE ANOTHER” considering how we as a church family can best love and serve one another well, with our attitudes and actions.
Sunday Mornings at 11am (online)
SUNDAYS at 7PM
We resume our Rhythms of Grace on ZOOM.
ZOOM Login Details will be in your Update Email or contact info@greenislandbaptist.com
Schedule for January
- Jan 10- Prayers of the Saints Lindsay will be leading us in a time of prayer for the prodigals.
- Jan 17- Table Talk Jonny will be sharing with us as we partake in the Lord’s Supper together
- Jan 24- Window on the World Stathis and Ruth, reporting on their ministry in Athens
- Jan 31- Spotlight Steve Cave speaking on the work of Biblica, and helping us consider the growing need and hunger for God’s word all around the world
NEW LEADERSHIP
The church membership met last Sunday night and have elected Phil Howe and Stephen Broad to serve as Elders.
Please pray for these brothers as they seek to shepherd and serve the church that they would know great JOY and see much fruit in their labours.
NEW OPPORUNTITIES TO GROW…
At GBC we love God’s word and we love to get together round it and encourage one another. Even though we can’t currently do that in person there are still opportunities for prayer, fellowship and study throughout the week. So, why not join one of our groups. You can contact admin@greenislandbaptistchurch.com or the individual leaders listed below.
Mondays 7.30pm - Men’s Precepts Study (led by Stephen Broad)
Starting Jan 18th, doing a six-week study “HOW DO YOU WALK THE WALK YOU TALK”. Teaching us to live our lives as true believers of Christ, considering passages in Ephesians.
Tuesdays 10am - Ladies Precepts Study (led by Janet Broad)
Starting Jan 12, studying a book called “THE POWER OF KNOWING GOD”
Tuesdays at 7.30pm - Church Prayer Meeting
Starting Jan 12. We start with a short devotion from God’s word picking up on Sundays sermon, share some prayer points and then spend time interceding for the needs of others, and seeking God’s will and blessing for our church, community and world.
Wednesdays 7.30pm - Home Group (Led by Mike & Shona Ewan)
Starting Jan 27, we will be following a series in a book called “INTIMACY WITH GOD” which leads into studying various passages of scripture.
Thursdays 7.30pm - Home Group (Led by Frazer & Marion Bailie)
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Sunday Club
Although we miss being together in person, we are continuing to send out resources, challenges and songs to our kids each week. Parents are also receiving regular WhatsApp messages and a weekly activity pack and YOUTUBE link so that kids can learn along with us on Sunday mornings during the online service. This term our focus is “Tales that tell the TRUTH”.
If you’d like to receive these resources please contact us at sundayclub@greenislandbaptist.com
NEW- Kids BIBLE STUDY
Starting Jan 19th and running every Tuesday from 4-5pm on ZOOM.
The Study is geared for 8-12-year olds and we will be looking at the book of ESTHER.
Sign up with Janet Broad. janet.broad@greenislandbaptist.com
YOUTH
Starts up again this Sunday Jan 10th and will be meeting each week on ZOOM at 6pm. This term we are starting a new series called “Navigating”.
Keep an eye out for Whatsapp Messages or contact youth@greenislandbaptist.com
THE GOSPEL IS NOT ON LOCKDOWN!
LOCAL OUTREACH
Report from Jacqui Robb
As we enter into CAP’s 25th Anniversary year (our 12th year) we have a lot to be thankful for. Praise God that even during another lockdown, we are still able to offer CAP’s free Debt services remotely, keeping both staff and clients safe. During the next few months, we will be continuing to focus on providing practical support to clients and locals in the area who are still struggling due to lockdown restrictions. In the months ahead we will be also contacting referral agencies, letting them know that we are still operating and reminding them of how to refer a new client to CAP.
2020 was a difficult year in regard to Evangelism, with very little face to face opportunities. However, we did give out lots of wonderful Gospel literature over the past 10 months and as the vaccine is rolled out, we are hopeful that face to face meetings with clients will return to normal by the summer time. We trust that as the seeds have been sown in Love, that we will reap a bountiful harvest unto God.
Please pray for our CAP team, as they continue to reach out practically with hampers, phone calls and text messages, offering prayer and showing the love of God to many who have been struggling. Please continue to pray for those who are struggling with life, struggling to put food on the table, struggling to keep warm during the winter months. Please pray that God would lead and direct us so that we have wisdom in how we do the work in 2021.
A local lady contacted us when she received her Christmas Hamper saying “thank you so much for the wonderful hamper, because of all this extra food, I will be able to put the gas on this week”.
2020 was an amazing year of God’s provision (over and above anything that we could have dreamed or imagined). Please pray that He will continue to touch people’s hearts to donate food and finances so that the work of CAP in our church can continue to support and impact our local community in a very positive way.
In His Service
Jacqui
GLOBAL OUTREACH
Pray for our partners in Kingdom work
Paul and Kate McFarland (Baptist Missions)
- Pray for the weekly radio programme which has been a great way to reach out in the Lockdown.
- Pray for the new families that had attended prior to lockdown and that the Lord will keep drawing them to himself.
- Pray for neighbours Paul and Kate have who are going through difficult times and that as they share the gospel with them, the Lord will draw them to himself.
- Pray for those in town who might be watching the weekly messages on Sundays through Facebook.
- Pray for continued church growth in love, unity and reaching out with the Gospel.
Stathis and Ruth Yfantidis
Along with EMF England they are submitting a proposal for a Media Studio to help create quality Greek Evangelistic content. There is so little online to reach the younger Generation. Pray for wisdom and acceptance for the project to move forward.
OM
- Pray for OM in general, facing an uncertain year with what to do with outreaches and all aspects of ministry. Please pray as we seek creative ways to continue to share the great need for many to hear the Gospel for the first time. We have virtual outreaches planned. Please pray that these will impact people’s lives and God will move people hearts to engage in mission despite the pandemic.
- Pray for Logos Hope ship as they deal with the challenges of trying to continue a traveling ministry which is very challenging. Onboard they have seen God’s provision in many ways enabling them to reach out in the Bahamas doing Hurricane relief. They have now moved on to St Vincent and the Grenadines. Please pray for this provision to continue as we step in to 2021.
Jesus, Your name, Mighty God;
All Pow’rful One, ruling in love.
There is a King upon the throne
Earth cannot overthrow.
Jesus, Your name, great banner of hope;
Steadies the knees of the weak.
Jesus, the name all nations will praise;
Oh glorious name!
