Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today marks a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. While war is horrendous, and no one ever wins a war, there are glimmers of hope and light. There are Christians in Ukraine who, in the midst of war, are living out Rom. 12:21 “Do not be overcome be evil, but overcome evil with good.”
For example, two young Ukrainian women, named Maria (24 years old) and Julia (18 years old) who have grown up in Christian families, have stayed to help with humanitarian assistance in their hometown. Maria works at a hospital as a doctor and Julia is a college student who has been working at maintaining her education in the midst of the war.
As the rockets rained down destruction, they realized that they needed to step in and provide humanitarian assistance. So they have been bringing food, medicine and worship services to villagers who have stayed. The villagers are receptive to spiritual issues, since around 78% of Ukrainians are considered Christians. These people know that the army can help, but their hope is in the Lord.
Maria and Julia have been able to team up with humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) to deliver food and medicine to displaced, resettled Ukrainians. Through Maria and Julia, NGO’s have found more ways to distribute the assistance. But the situation is still ongoing.
They are not without hope. They continue to hold worship services outside of ruined buildings and are working to rebuild schools that have been shelled. There is so much work to be done, including seeing an end to the war, but while the war continues, so does the work of being the hands and feet of Christ, bringing help and hope to those in need.
For more information on Maria, Julia and the work of NGO’s see the following article:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christians-ukraine-humanitarian-resistance/
Also, please continue to pray for the nation of Ukraine. Here is a suggested list of prayers if you are at a loss for words in how to pray: https://send.org/story/hh_pray_for_ukraine. Thank you for kneeling on behalf of the people of Ukraine and Russia, and taking a stand (or a knee in prayer) against the forces of darkness in this present age.
This Week (Feb. 24-March 2, 2023):
1. Tonight, Feb. 24, 2022, the Living Stones Friday Night Bible Study is meeting from 7:30-9:30 to begin our study about How to Discern the Voice of God. You can read Acts 2:29-41 in preparation for this time of fellowship and studying “Does it bring conviction?”. Join in person in Room A-216 or online via the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/685376249?pwd=cWtyUk1pckJiRHJxZVZCSGdJZWw2UT09
Meeting ID: 685 376 249
Password: 840840
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
2. The Living Stones Sunday School and Grace Ambassadors Sunday School classes are meeting on Feb. 26.
a. The Grace Ambassadors (Young Adults) will be meeting at 9:45 am (in-person in Room A-202)! We will be taking time to discuss the next chapter in Keller’s book “Prayer.” More info is found on the YAs Messenger Chat. For further info, contact Jillian Yuan.
b. “Understanding the Old Testament” Sunday School is this Sunday at 9:45 in-person (Room A-216) and online via the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/491248585?pwd=RnpLcnpjQ01nTGZLSmhaZ3l4L3dKQT09
Meeting ID: 491 248 585
Password: 403767
Join by phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
3. This Sunday, Feb. 26, 2022, at 11:25 am, Pastor Nathan Willems will be preaching. Pray for him! Join us for worship at CBCGL!
a. Text: Mark 11:20-24
b. Title: Faith and Prayer
c. Live stream via Youtube: https://www.cbcgl.org/live-stream/
4. Each Wednesday, such as this week (March 1st) at 7:45 pm, you are invited, encouraged, and requested to join our weekly prayer meeting. We will not grow in Christ without growing in our dependence on God through prayer. In February, we’ll spend time praying for other churches as well as praying for CrossPoint Community. The link is found below in the section on prayer.
Administration / Events
1. We have a missions update (so check out the missions tab from the bulletin)! This week, we have an update from Gordon and Maggie who are serving in France. They praise God for opportunities to share with seekers. But they also ask for prayer for discipleship groups and health. Please check the missions tab in our bulletin to read through this report and learn how you can support our missionaries.
2. If you are interested in helping refugees locally, you have the opportunity to join a local Neighborhood Support Team for an Afghan family. Resettlement is a lengthy process. A neighborhood support group ensures that the tasks are spread among a group of people.
The Neighborhood Support Team (NST) will get support from the resettlement agency and NST leaders who have done this before and have a family they are currently supporting in Lowell. This is a rewarding and life changing experience.
For more information email: Rhea Gordon, rhea (at) elevatenewengland.org
3. We will have our next baptism service on Easter (April 9). To be baptized, you must attend baptism class. If you are interested in being baptized, please contact Pastor Nathan Willems. Come to baptism class to learn why we baptize people, what is necessary for baptism, and what rights and responsibilities you have as someone who is baptized.
4. Sunday Lunch Service began again at CBCGL on Jan. 8th with $5 lunchboxes! To place an order, please use the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/nCwQnMruKv Orders need to be placed by Friday at 11 pm so that the kitchen can prepare the correct amount of food. Note: The selection which states “Number of Meals” refers to the cooked food/lunch box/Chinese food option.
5. CBCGL’s COVID-19 guidance has been updated. We still are following CDC guidance for travel and participation in activities following travel or exposure to a positive case. We are also tracking community spread. If we are in a high risk of community spread, we recommend mask wearing to church activities.
a. Please note, you are recommended, but not required to wear facemasks to church.
6. All other announcements can be found here (in our CrossPoint Community bulletin).
For Prayer:
1. If we ever become done with prayer, we will find ourselves either fit for heaven or for hell. Truly, our time in prayer shows what we think about God! Do you see your need of Him? Or are you trying to live this life without / apart from Him? Please join our Wednesday night prayer meeting (7:45 – 9:15 pm) even if you can’t participate the whole time.
https://zoom.us/j/758587937?pwd=aS9sZUdxcm1janNNM2I2aXJ6Smx2QT09
Meeting ID: 758 587 937
Password: 030086
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
2. We’d be glad to pray for you. If you need prayer, you can submit your prayer request via the following link: https://www.cbcgl.org/pray/
In Christ, your servant, SDG,
Rev. Dr. Nathan Willems
Associate Pastor of CrossPoint Community – A Ministry of CBCGL