Last Sunday Graeme shared a quote by Martin Luther, the great reformer of the church. Luther lived through the bubonic plague that swept Europe in the 1500’s. Luther could easily have used his position to flee to safer places but instead chose to remain where he was and serve his people. In a letter to a friend he wrote the following words
Very well, by God’s decree the enemy has sent us poison and deadly offal. Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above. See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.[41]
(For more information about this quote go here)
So here we have it, trust in God and common-sense – two things we are all in need of. And a willingness to put our neighbours well-being before our own. Perhaps the ancients still have something to say to us today.
If you are struggling at this time and just need someone to talk to then please email us at the address below and we will make contact with you office@pb.org.nz
This Sunday we continue a new series called ‘Telling our Stories.. of Jesus’. We have just heard about the life of Jesus in the book of Acts and now we want to hear the stories of how Jesus is working amongst us today, here on the Kāpiti Coast in 2021. Over the next month we will hear those stories and we hope they encourage you. On Sunday three people will share their stories of Jesus.
To join with us on air tune in to Coast Access Radio 104.7FM from 10.30am or livestream at http://coastaccessradio.org.nz/Listen/index.aspx The message and prayers will also be posted to the sermon page on this website.
Mainly Music - Closed due to lockdown. Normally meets Wednesday’s from 10.00am. This programme is a fun way for parents and their children to spend quality time together based around music and movement. It is an opportunity for us as a church to connect with and offer something back to the community of which we are a part. It’s also a way for us to demonstrate care, concern and support for those with young children.
Small Groups are meeting via Zoom. Contact the church office@pb.org.nz if you would like to join one.
If at this time you need someone to chat with then please call the church office 04 2987766 or email office@pb.org.nz and we’ll get back to you.
And we are also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/paraparaumubaptist
Grace and peace