Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What do we need most when we suffer?
The answer to this question will be different, depending on who you ask. For example, if you talk with some people, they will tell you that what you need is something to ease your suffering – perhaps a drug, prescribed or purchased. Other people will tell you that you need to escape your suffering by changing locations or ending a relationship. Still others will tell you that you need to put an end to your suffering by getting rid of the object that is causing you to suffer. Whether this advice is good or bad depends a lot on who is giving the advice and why. Remember, not all suffering is evil. Perhaps you would say community, or comfort, or quality care. Those things are certainly helpful but they are not our greatest need in suffering.
The answer to the question, what do we need when we suffer, is answered differently by the different characters in the book of Job. For example, Job’s wife suggested that Job needed to just curse God and die. Her suffering had been overwhelming and she had had enough. Job’s friends – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar – thought Job just needed their company. In the first seven days of their visit, they just sat with Job, saying nothing. But then, when Job expressed his feelings, they couldn’t hold their tongues. They all told Job that he needed to confess the sins he had done which had caused his suffering. They said this even though Job was a blameless and upright man who feared the Lord and turned away from evil. Job, in the midst of his suffering, said that he needed to be vindicated – that he needed to have an audience with God and argue his case. Elihu, towards the end of the book, tried to correct both Job and the other three men, by saying that Job, and other sufferers, need to learn from their suffering from God, the Greatest Teacher. If you look back at the beginning of the book, Satan assumed that Job’s obedience was fickle, so he instigated the suffering, thinking that all he had to do was make Job suffer and Job would curse God. And if you look at the end of the book of Job, God shows up in a whirlwind, telling Job that he needs to answer some questions if Job hopes to have his own questions answered.
What about you? When you have suffered, or if you are suffering presently, what is it that you need when you suffer? How would you answer that question?
This Week (August 20 – 26, 2021):
1. Tonight, Aug. 20, 2021, we will have Friday Night Bible Study. Join us at 7:30 as we take time to sing, share and study “Building Healthy Relationships.” You can join online!
https://zoom.us/j/685376249?pwd=cWtyUk1pckJiRHJxZVZCSGdJZWw2UT09
Meeting ID: 685 376 249
Password: 840840
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
There is also in-person Empower College Fellowship for the final Summer Empower. Tonight, we will meet in the upstairs cafeteria (A-202) beginning at 7:30 pm (due to the ongoing renovation). If you are a college student or graduate, join us; or you have one at home, tell them to come. We hope to see you/them there!
2. CrossPoint Community Sunday School and Empower/YAs Sunday School – on August 22– is meeting at 9:45 am.
a. The Young Adults will have a planning meeting at 9:45 am (in-person and online)! Info for the Google meet link is found on the Empower Facebook page or the YAs Teams Chat Channel.
b. The “Essentials of Worship” Sunday School is this Sunday 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, Aug. 22, Pastor Nathan Willems will be preaching. Pray for me! Join us for in person worship!
a. Text: Job 42
b. Title: Repentance and Restoration
c. Live stream via Youtube: https://www.cbcgl.org/resources/live-stream/
d. Coworker reminder.
Administration / Events
1. CBCGL’s COVID-19 waiver form has been updated. If you haven’t completed a waiver, please do so. The updated waiver can be found at http://bit.ly/cbcgl-covid19-waiver You are required to have completed this form and follow its guidance if you plan to participate in any in-person church activities.
2. Meet with Angie and me (preferably in person)! We are now hosting meetings online or in our home, or at church, for members and participants in CrossPoint Community Ministry. To sign-up, use the following link: https://lowellchurch-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/nathan_willems_lowell_church/EccUw7hTOn1IkeJ_B1Eqp8EBUIKksUtMSLDZwEh0buI3SA?e=UPtpIM
3. All other announcements can be found here (in our CrossPoint Community bulletin).
For Prayer:
1. “He who lives without prayer lives as if there is no God.” – Charles Burgess 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)
Young Adults / Empower Prayer Meeting: Wednesday nights (except for the first Wednesday when they combine with the other CrossPoint prayer meeting listed above) @ 7:45 – 9:30 pm –
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86893982884?pwd=Q2RIWEtVMGtmdGJ2ZHNJdDJ3Rng4dz09
Meeting ID: 868 9398 2884
Password: 197791
2. Here is our list of prayer and service requests. The service request tab is for brothers and sisters to ask for assistance or announce any give-away items. It is an attempt from EM to reach out and take care of those in need among us. You may also enter yours via the provided link:
In Christ, your servant, SDG,
Pastor Nathan Willems, Associate Pastor of CrossPoint Community – A Ministry of CBCGL