"…to the praise of the glory of His grace…" Ephesians 1:6

Sunday Information and Prayer

Dear Springs of Grace Church Family,
Grace and peace. I am so thankful for the church family of Springs of Grace and the love for Jesus, His gospel, His church, and His kingdom that we get to share. You all are an encouragement to me. I have been thinking much about the reminder from last Sunday that we all are “clay pots”. We are weak and fragile. Springs of Grace is a safe place for any of us (and all of us) to acknowledge our “clay pottedness” (our weakness and need), because our church family is a place, as 2 Corinthians 12:19 reminds us…we are to be a place committed to the upbuilding of one another and not the tearing down. Take some time to celebrate that truth and may we recommit ourselves to using our gifts to build up everyone else in the church family.

One Tuesday of this week, two of my daughters (Amy and Aaliyah) tested positive for COVID and have had a challenging week with headaches, fever, fatigue, cough, and dizziness. Today, they have been fever free and they appear to be through the worst of it. Because Aaliyah was home Sunday, Rosa, Glory, Annie, and I have quarantined. None of us have had symptoms and we are encouraged that God has kept it from us. I tested Friday and was negative for COVID.

In talking with the medical people in our church and with my doctors, I am going to continue to quarantine for most of next week as well. However, I am planning to attend the service in my car (parked on 7th street). I believe I will be able to hear well enough to participate. When it is time for the sermon, I will get out of the car and our sound crew has made provision for me to preach further away from everyone. I’m excited to get to share from John 15 tomorrow. After preaching, I will return to my car to minimize any potential interaction. We think that outdoors, with a negative test on Friday, and with greater distance, and with me showing no COVID symptoms, it should be fine for me to preach.
Please pray that the Lord would meet with us this Sunday. Continue to pray for my daughters and for all who are impacted by this sickness and the resulting deaths.

We don’t need to be afraid. The Lord has promised to be with us. He is good and faithful. Continue to check on one another and pray for one another and let’s excel more in love – especially in a time where too many are treating others like they are enemies. Be in pray for our youth group as we have refocused our efforts towards our neighborhood and church family and begun meeting again. Spring Kids will be starting soon as well – please pray for those working and planning for that. Please be in prayer for the children at Springs of Grace that we can help them grow in their love for the Lord and His Word. Pray for our community groups and for our women’s and men’s bible studies.

Please consider taking some time this Saturday or Sunday to pray and/or fast for these items above.

I hope you can join us for our outdoor service this Sunday morning at 9:15. The livestream service will begin at 10:45. If you can’t make the outdoor service, join us for the livestream. You can find the link to tomorrow’s livestream service at our website (www.springsofgrace.church) and find other important information about the church.

If you have questions or needs, please let us know. Striving to be His church, by His grace, for His glory.
Love you very much,
Pastor Joe

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