Grace Baptist Family,

While we greatly missed being together last Sunday, we have already been blessed by how many are praying, encouraging, and seeking ways to serve others in these days of great challenge.

This last week our government capped gatherings at 50 people. They have also urged that we practice social distancing, and for people to stay at home as much as possible. We’ve decided that, as a church, the best way for us to be good citizens and neighbours is to help “flatten the curve” in every way we can. To that end, all of our regular worship gatherings and weekly meetings have been suspended until further notice.  

While not gathering physically is a hard reality for us all to accept, we can also trust (even rejoice) the Lord wants to use this time to shape and refine His people in ways perhaps not possible in our usual circumstances. 1 Peter 1:6 comes to mind…  

 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,  so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Church…at the end of this, may the result in us be just the same: praise and glory and honour to Jesus Christ!   But how? The answers will continue to come week by week. But here are some early ways we can be the church together, while physically apart.  

1. Sunday Worship. Our own Online Sermons & teaching content is on the way!

Look for a message from Pastor Andy this Sunday that will be posted on our website: www.gracekelowna.com

Follow the weekly sermons that will be made available: Gather the family, open your Bibles, hear the Word…close with your own discussion & prayer.    

2. Creative Care. God is the Creator + You are made in His image = You are Creative!   

Would you find your way to care for others in the congregation?  

Here is one way some of you could help care for others in this time…Join the “Phone-a-Friend” Ministry.

This will be a key way to connect and encourage our Grace family, especially many of our older members who may live without internet and texting. Many of you are equipped to call a few individuals to check in with each other and offer some Christ-centered encouragement, and this can go a long way! Please click on the attachment provided below, to see how it all works. And then to sign up, simply email www.office@gracekelowna.com and say: “I’d like to participate in the Phone-a-Friend Ministry”. We will then get back to you with further steps.     

3. Giving & Offerings. Many of you may be wondering how to continue to give, or to start giving. Here are a few ways:  

Online Giving. It is now available for our congregation to give online. There are a few ways you can do this.  

1. Follow this link: gracekelowna.churchcenter.com and follow the prompts.  

2. Go to our website's mainpage: www.gracekelowna.com and select the "Give" option on our menu, and follow the prompts.              

3. Download the mobile app "Church Center" on your mobile device and follow the instructions. The first time you use the app you will search "Grace Baptist Church" and select it as your home church-- making it much easier to give on a regular basis as well as to view your giving history.   

At this time online giving is done by credit card or Visa debit. We are currently in the process of making Apple Pay also available. Another great feature is the ability to set recurring donations.   

Interestingly, our office staff lined up Online giving ‘before’ we saw Covid-19 coming. How timely it is ready for us now.     

Mail your Cheque. The church mailing address is:  

Grace Baptist Church

1150 Glenmore Drive Kelowna,

BC V1Y 4P3  

As we head into this unique season we all know that church is going to look quite different for the foreseeable future, "But we put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield" (Psalm 33:20). 

If you know someone not on our email list who needs to be, please direct them to the email address: office@gracekelowna.com and they will be added by their request.

Also, please share these announcements with someone you know who has no access to the internet.  

We will continue to update you through email and the website. Feel free to call us at the church office at 250-763-3457. We are praying for you.    

- Pastor Brent