A Pastoral Update – Seeking Him First, Praying for One Another (Issued 4 Oct 2021)
Dear Frankelites,
How are you doing? We trust that you are journeying with us in our church’s Seek First series.
I have been much blessed by each sermon, testimony as well as activity generated by our Digital and Creative Outreach team on the Seek First microsite http://bfec.sg/seekfirst. It is wonderful that we can stay connected through such means at a time when the lack of physical gatherings can easily make us feel isolated.
As you know, the COVID-19 numbers have been rising nationally during this phase. As the authorities have outlined, we can expect that this transition to the endemic stage in Singapore will come with more infections. But what has also been rising are the vaccination numbers. Based on the medical evidence so far, if one is fully vaccinated, not suffering from underlying health conditions and in the vulnerable age group, being infected with COVID-19 now is not as concerning as if one had contracted it last year.
Regardless of the ongoing news, let us stake our lives on the Good News and so continue to pray for one another – to stay trusting in Christ for His sovereign will, protection and provision. Should it surprise us that He challenges you and me to seek Him first (Matt 6:33) even at such a time?
There is something I would like to share with you for your prayers. We have come to be informed that four Frankelites have contracted the COVID-19 virus at various times over recent weeks. The four cases are unlinked. And as far as we know, all had contracted it outside our church premises. Thankfully, all of them did not experience serious symptoms and are on the road to recovery.
Of the four, only one had physically attended our worship service. The other was a child in JSS. All four had promptly isolated themselves according to the relevant and current protocols. They have also been receiving support from friends and family.
According to the official protocol, it is MOH’s role to inform those deemed to have been close contacts. But we have taken the initiative to inform ahead, those we know to have been in close contact with them in our church premises so that they can monitor their health and self-administer ART at home.
I am sharing this to encourage us to pray for them, and one another, even as we recognize that such developments are becoming part and parcel of this phase.
Let us bear each other’s burdens by expressing ongoing care and concern in our cell groups, Sunday School classes, and ministries (Gal 6:2, 9,10). Some of us are especially more vulnerable emotionally and psychologically during such times.
As His royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9), let us not wait for someone to reach out to us. Instead, you and I can do simple acts of kindness that will go a long way to bless and bring cheer to someone. As salt, we flavour and preserve the spiritual and emotional atmosphere around us. As light, we can shine hope in the darkness of negative news bombarding us each day (Matt 5:13-16). What’s more, we ought to seize the opportunity to reach out to someone who does not yet know Him. For they will know Him through you, an ambassador of His love, grace and message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18-20)!
Brethren, as we seek to live each day by faith and not fear, may we also continue to heed the prevalent health advisories e.g. reduce your out-of-home activities if you are aged 60 years old and above. During this time, it would be apt to utilize the ART self-testing kit weekly before attending church service too. In BFEC, we will continue to adhere to the protocols every church has to administer – be it safe entry, mask-wearing, or safe-distancing. So I urge you to continue to attend church services physically if you are able.
We look forward to the day we can – young and old – gather physically in greater numbers once more. Till then, if you have any prayer requests, apart from sharing them with your cell group, you may wish to contact the church mainline: 6448 1800 or text us on the Response Line: 9670 1800.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
In His grace and grip,
Elder Alex Lo
Chairman, BFEC
