The Weekly Epistle 9/2/20

God wants you to have peace.  He not only can give you peace, He is your peace.  
 
Frances Havergal lived her relatively short life filled with difficult challenges.  When she was eleven, her mother died.  Then her stepmother came between her and her father, causing deep hurt to her.  As a young adult, Frances became chronically ill.  Even to get up from her bed was painful.  During one of her periods of illness, she wrote these words:
  Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace.  Over all victorious, in its bright increase.  
  Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.  Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully
  blessed; finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
 
Isaiah the prophet wrote, “God will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on Him, because he trusts in Him” (Isaiah 26:3). 
 
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.  I do not give you as the world gives” (John 14:27).  
 
I remind you of the promise from this past Sunday.  God’s peace is better than the best we can come up with.  Church, it is well worth it to pursue God’s peace.  Are you resting in Him?  When worry strikes has that been a reminder to pray?
 
Speaking of prayer, this Sunday at 1:00 pm there is a community wide prayer gathering on the front lawn of Laconia High School.  This is sponsored by the pastors’ prayer group that meets at EBC each Tuesday from 12:00-12:30 to pray for this city and the Lakes Region.  All are welcomed!  Face masks will be required in compliance to state’s guidelines of more than 100 people.
 
Remember that this Sunday, we are changing things up a bit for second service in hopes that others in our church family can attend.  For second service only, masks will be required for all people to and from your seats.  You do not need to wear masks while seated.  But there will be a section designated for those who choose to wear masks even while seated.
 
Also, this Sunday, nursery will be provided up to kindergarten age for first service only.  Our hope also is to begin EBC kids’ program later in the month.  Stay tuned for details.  
 
Many have asked me about coffee time.  I am in conversation with the task team for reopening of churches and hope that soon we will be able to offer coffee again in between services.  
 
Church, don’t lose heart. Keep looking up.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
 
Blessings to you, Pastor Brian