January 31, 2022
We will resume in-person worship service (in the sanctuary) on 2-6-2022
With our eyes firmly fixed on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we will resume our in-person worship service in the sanctuary, starting this Sunday, February 6, 2022 at our usual 9:00am. Friends and family of Palos Verdes Baptist Church, as your pastor, together with your Board of Deacons, we have been in constant prayer, seeking the Lord. Speaking for myself, I have truly missed seeing you, and am joyfully looking forward to being with you in person!
Our goal is to keep you safe. Therefore, we ask that everyone participating in the in-person worship service, always wear a mask. For the time being, no food will be served in the fellowship hall following the worship service (cofee and tea will be served outdoors). If you have recently tested positive for COVID, we ask that you wait at least 10 days following a negative test, before you participate in the in-person worship service. Finally, for your protection and for the protection of your PVBC family, if you have symptoms consistent with COVID, we ask that you participate in the worship service on-line, which we will continue to provide for you.
Other ministries, such as Children's Sunday School and Youth meetings, are still being prayerfully considered as to when and how we will gather in-person. We will keep you informed as we discern what the Lord is calling us to do in these important areas of ministry.
Together, we will get through this. I am confident in the Lord, and in all of you. Together, we wil continue to worship, care for one another, and glorify our awesome God. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family!
In Christ,
Pastor Fred
January 12, 2022
IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING IN-PERSON GATHERINGS
Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Many of us have experienced the painful reality of our Lord’s words. But Jesus reigns as the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords! He has overcome the world and everything under heaven!
Friends and family of Palos Verdes Baptist Church, the pandemic continues to stir complications for us. As your pastor, together with your Board of Deacons, paused in-person gatherings through January 15, 2022. We promised that we would commit to a season of prayer, seeking our Lord’s direction for our church. As most of you are aware, the number of COVID infections in Los Angeles County has dramatically spiked in the past few weeks. Even in Orange County, I learned yesterday that in my grandchildren’s elementary school, COVID related absences have hit a new high among students and teachers.
Last night, we met together and unanimously concluded that we will pause all in-person gatherings through January 31, 2022. During this pause, we will again diligently seek the Lord’s direction for us. As promised, we will absolutely keep you informed.
In the original Greek, the word translated as church is ecclesia. This word means gathering of those summoned. The nature of the church is to gather together with one another. Though we will pause the in-person gatherings, we will find creative ways to gather together. We will share those plans with you very soon.
The Church has faced terrible times in its history, far greater than the difficulties we have faced since the pandemic began. Friends, the Church will not be vanquished. Jesus triumphantly declared in Matthew 16:18, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Brothers and sisters in Christ, we will see the victory over this pandemic. If God is for us, who can be against us!
May the amazing Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the presence of the Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever more.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Fred
December 31, 2021
In Acts 20:28, Paul exhorted the elders in Ephesus to care for the church. He wrote: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.” As your pastor, together with the great leaders He has assembled as the Board of Deacons of the Palos Verdes Baptist Church, it is our privilege to serve all of you.
As your servants, we have prayerfully sought the Lord regarding the recent, horrific spike in the number of COVID cases in Los Angeles County. Whereas the percentage of those testing positive for COVID was less than 1% when we decided to return to in-person gatherings beginning December 19, that number has now increased to over 20%.
These are not just statistics. Even in our PVBC family, a few people have been exposed to individuals who tested positive for COVID. Thankfully, none of our people have tested positive. But we see the very real threat at our doorstep.
With this alarming spike in infections, we cannot simply stand by. We believe strongly that God is leading us to pause all in-person gatherings for two weeks. This means that we will not have our in-person worship service on January 2 (this Sunday) and January 9, 2022. There will be no other in-person gatherings, including Sunday School, Youth Group meetings, and Small Groups through January 15, 2022. Our worship service will be taped, and you will have access through our PVBC website here. Please know that this pause is not indefinite in nature. During this two week pause, your Board and I will seek God’s leading and determine what we should do. Our desire and goal is to return to in-person gatherings to worship, be nurtured, serve, fellowship, and proclaim the Gospel. To this end, we will commit to keep you informed in a timely manner.
I know some of you are disappointed that we must take this pause. I share your disappointment. I just started my service to you as your pastor. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting every one of you and was looking forward to meeting many more of the wonderful people at PVBC.
Many of you are suffering. During this pause, your Board and I will continue to lift everyone up in prayer, confident that our Lord deeply loves us more than we will ever know, and that He hears the cries of His people.
Family and friends, God is still on the throne. Jesus is Lord, and He will never leave us nor forsake us. Therefore, I am confident that during this pause, we will glorify our God, care for one another, and be the light and salt in a world that is hurting in so many ways. I am your pastor. Please do not hesitate to call on me anytime, especially during this pause. Lastly, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 commands believers to pray without ceasing and give thanks in all things. Let us obey this command together as the PVBC Family. By doing so, we honor Him, and He will continue to strengthen and bless us.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Fred