I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore (Ps. 121:1-8).
Greetings to each of you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Despite everything bad that’s going on in this world, God is watching over us daily, and He is giving us the strength to fulfill His will.
I am so pleased to report that we distributed 150 boxes of groceries two days ago (Tuesday, June 9th) at the South Campus and North Campus. I want to thank those who assisted me in distributing the groceries, and I pray that God will bestow manifold blessings in the lives of each of them. If God is willing, we hope to distribute 200-225 bags of groceries next Tuesday, June 16th (beginning at 12 noon) at both campuses, and I hope to be able to enhance each bag with even more groceries than what we did two days ago. I am also preparing in the near future to issue grocery vouchers to people who are in dire need.
Moreover, we are still assisting St. John parishioners who have difficulty paying their rent or mortgage. For more information, please contact Deacon Johnson.
Many have been asking when will we reopen our St. John facilities again which is a good question since we are now approaching the 13th week of being physically apart and without the privilege of entering and enjoying the facilities of St. John. First, I want to thank our “Essential” workers who have assisted me on a part-time basis to maintain the business of the church. (Administratively, the business of St. John is still being managed well.)
Secondly, I want to announce that we are planning to have an Unplugged Sunday Worship Celebration on the 4th Sunday in June at 11 am in parking lot #1 of the South Campus. (Note, we will not have 7:30 and 9:30 Worship Celebrations on June 28th.) As of today, Contra Costa County is allowing religious services to resume having a maximum of 10 people if indoor and a maximum of 100 people if outdoor which explains why Unplugged Sunday will be an outdoor Worship Celebration in parking lot #2 of the South Campus. We anticipate a glorious time in the Lord, and we will be adhering to various safety precautions (social distancing, mask, etc.). If you are elderly or sickly, you might choose not to be present due to Covid-19.
Please know that the 4th Sunday in June does not mark the date of our reopening. In other words, we are still uncertain when we will be able to worship in our South Campus and North Campus sanctuaries. I am constantly praying to God to lead us, and I am daily reading the news regarding our county and state guidelines for corporate worship. Reopening as God directs and as our county and state advise in light of our safety is our major concern.
As the pastor, I encourage everyone to participate and enjoy our Online Ministries, and I appreciate how well you have supported these Ministries. Our Online Ministries are designed to glorify God and edify each of us; consequently, I strongly encourage those of you who are not participating (yet able to participate) to allow our Online Ministries to be a blessing to you by participating. Through our website (www.sjmbc.org), needed and updated information is available about Online Podcast Messages, Sunday School, Prayer Meetings, Bible Study, The Lord’s Supper and much more.
Additionally, I encourage much prayer! We have often heard that much prayer is the cause of much power! I encourage each of us to pray individually at least three times daily (1st prayer between 12-6 am). I further encourage each of us regarding prayer as follows:
- Procure a Prayer Partner. Let’s establish a relationship with another St. John member whom we will pray with each day (a scheduled time is preferable). Jesus said: “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 18:19).
- Participate in Prayer Meeting. Let’s pray corporately on Wednesdays at 12 pm and/or 6:30 pm. God moves mightily when His church unites in prayer (Acts 12:5-19).
Furthermore, I sincerely thank those of us who have been supporting St. John financially. The tithes and offerings are consistent because many of us are giving which enables us to meet our financial obligations and enables us to help others in need.
I encourage everyone (mainly those of us who receive income) to faithfully and generously support St. John financially with our tithes and offerings. You can mail your Tithes and Offerings to our St. John South Campus (662 South 52nd Street—Richmond, CA 94804), or you can give online through our website (www.sjmbc.org). Although I do not recommend this next option, if you prefer, you can also set aside weekly your Tithes and Offerings and give the total amount (individual checks, one check or cash) the Sunday we resume corporate worship.
In conclusion, Trust In The Lord, Encourage Yourself In The Lord, Think Yourself Happy, Think Higher, Keep Your Mind On The Lord, Hold On and take One Step At A Time especially when you have moments when you are bothered or wondering What’s Next? Remember, when you are Covered By The Blood, by acknowledging that He Is Risen, God Will Take Care Of You.
May God Bless And Sustain Each Of Us.
Your Servant In Christ,
Dr. Kevin B. Hall, Pastor