Nate hosts our weekly online gathering from a studio setup in our garage.
We hope this update finds you safe and well. Things are so uncertain these days, but our challenge is to continually refocus on our hope in Jesus. When we do, we become "like a mountain that cannot be shaken but endures forever" (Psalm 125:1). Our goal is to be strong like this for our children, for our church community, and for the wider community around us in Auckland. We certainly don't get it right all the time, but what we can do is return to our Father everyday and ask Him to remind us that we will endure when we rest in His strength. "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forever more" (Psalm 125:2).
Finn on a Zoom call with 51 of his classmates.
Nate rehearses with some of the CNW band before NZ announced its plans for social distancing last week.
A rare trip out of the house to our local beach for some fresh air and a picnic.
We're Doing Our Bit.
Here are a few of the things we've been doing to let our little lights shine...
Connecting with Neighbours. Before New Zealand's lockdown started last week, we went door to door asking our neighbours if they'd like to join a private Facebook group for the households on street. Everyone happily accepted the invitation and even began adding neighbours on an adjacent street. The goal of this group is to provide a platform where we can stay connected to each other during the lockdown, offer to help anyone in need, or even ask for help. All while we still keeping our distance.
Connecting with our Children. Like a lot of parents, we're now also teachers. Distance learning is a challenge to say the least, so we're taking it easy and making sure we take time away from our work (and the kids' school work) each day to focus on family togetherness. Frisbee in the street and board games inside feature for us most days.
Connecting with our Church Family. We're into our third week of filming our online church services from our homes. Our church gathers every Sunday morning at 10 am NZT at https://cnw.online.church. Our online platform features a live chat section which we've been using in creative ways to encourage interaction during our gathering. We're also holding two midweek opportunities to connect online, and for the first time ever, we can invite all of YOU to join us for church! If you're keen, here are the times:
Sunday 10 am Gathering (Saturdays at 6pm EST)
Tuesday 10 am Devo with Nate (Mondays at 6pm EST)
Live on Church Northwest FB and Insta accounts
Thursday 7 pm Bible Study (Thursdays at 3am EST)
Rechurch Turns 10 Years Old!
In other news, our first church plant in Christchurch, New Zealand just celebrated it's 10th anniversary! It's hard to believe we've been doing this for that long. Since we couldn't be with them in person for the big day, we were asked to send a video with our birthday wishes. Here's what we said...