Link #10-IMPORTANT
Greetings in the name of Jesus.
Each day it seems we are reminded that covid is not going away. As students prepare to head back to school next week we are again trying to understand what the new practises will be to keep each others safe. Over the past year and a half we have tried to respond appropriately to the pandemic making every effort to keep Bloor Central connected. The challenge becomes even more complicated over the next several weeks as Karen and I take some time away together for rest and time with our family. We will be out of the office from September 6 till October 19, but please be assure the Bloor Central world never stops.
During this time we’d want you to be aware of what is going to be happening.
Sunday Word (in person)
Our weekly gathering on Sunday mornings at 10am will continue. We’ve suggested this is a “socially distanced, spiritually connected” Bible study. Doors open at Bloor Central at 9:50 and people come in being asked to follow all the normal covid protocols. This is a time focused on hearing from God. We spend time with thanksgiving, prayer requests, a Bible lesson, discussion and prayer. This is much different from our traditional Sunday gathering but has proved to be a very useful time for us. Everyone who is not dealing with any health concerns related to covid is welcome to join us for this time.
This week (September 5) Karen will conclude her series on 2 Chronicles 20. Come hear the good news that God fights for us! This same lesson will be posted on Sunday Word (online). In the coming weeks we have an exciting list of guest leadership which includes…
· September 12 – Norm Garcia
· September 19 – Norm Garcia
· September 26 – Beth Pearo
· October 3 – Dave Pearo
· October 10 – Doug Hammond (Video)/Discussion led by Greg Peterson
· October 17 – Jarhred Warkentin
Sunday Word (online)
Over the past couple of months the “online” and “in person” editions of Sunday Word have been the same Bible teaching. Online has, and will continue to be posted on our youtube channel 10am on Sunday mornings. However, there will be significant changes in the next several weeks. From September 12 till October 14 Sunday Word will specifically be used to focus on a post covid Bloor Central (PCBC). More information about PCBC is below, but please understand that Sunday Word (online) will specifically prepare all of us for where we are going. Specifically, our online posting will be focusing us on prayer. This series of reflections will be guided by a book written by Skye Jethani called “What if Jesus was serious about prayer?”.
So now our Sunday Word (online) will continue to help those who can’t attend to stay in touch, but also will be important for those who have attended Sunday Word (in person).
Post Covid Bloor Central (PCBC)
One of the benefits (yes, there have been some benefits) of covid has been the opportunity to consider what we are doing at Bloor Central. We’ve taken some time to look in the scripture (specifically the book of Acts) and understand what “Church” is about. Bloor Central can be a busy place and the hectic pace can make it difficult to really pat attention to what is happening in our Church, or neighbourhood and even in ourselves.
A message that became clear from our reading through Acts was the commitment the early Church had to hear from God. Bloor Central is known for many things, service, hospitality, food etc.. These are all great characteristics for a Church, but we began to wonder if our identity needed to be more focused. Can Bloor Central become a place where people know, above all else that this a place that wants to hear from God? It was obvious in the life of the early Church, can it be obvious in our Church today? As we worked through what this meant it became obvious that seeking God is very much dependant on prayer. If we desire to be a people who seek God prayer is no longer one part of what we do, it becomes a part of everything we do. Our service, our worship, or fellowship must all be driven by and with prayer to be the people God desires for us to be. To be the people God can use.
With all this in mind it was determined that we needed to take very visible steps to make aware our priority on prayer. We are continuing to explore ways in which this can be done at Bloor Central. In the future it would be wonderful if people in the neighbourhood, when asked about Bloor Central would not first think of the food bank, but instantly respond “Those people are praying all the time.”. At this point we have identified two specific changes that will be taking place in PCBC.
1. During covid the “Nanny Care” that rented the top floor room has dissolved. The initial intention was to seek another tenant whose rent might help with expenses. However, as we continued to seek Gods guidance it was decided the space would best be served as a 24/7 prayer room. Through this month preparations will begin so that Bloor Central will have a dedicated space in our building for prayer. This space will be a continual reminder for us, and others that Bloor Central is dedicated to seeking God.
2. Our worship services will take on a different rhythm as well. This will be a concern for some as before covid our Sunday services had become a real time of celebration. Certainly it is hoped that there will be continued enthusiasm; however, in an effort to demonstrate a commitment to hear from God it was decided our worship needs to be reconsidered. Moving forward there will be an intentional effort to make more room in our services for prayer. Prayers of thanksgiving, adoration, supplication, repentance, healing, confession etc.. If we truly seek to hear from God it is essential the way we worship will demonstrate that.
Over the past number of months we’ve discussed some of this new focus for Bloor Central with some of you. There has been a variety of responses. Some are excited, some are offended to think that we are not going back to the way things were. Certainly we can understand that any change is going to be viewed differently by everyone. As we have prayerfully considered PCBC one message has been reinforced many times. The future of Bloor Central will not be focused on being popular, but on being powerful. The power we seek can only be found in God, and so our culture will demonstrate a commitment to hear from Him through prayer.
We hope that everyone will be excited about a PCBC.
Blessings to all, we look forward to seeing you in October.