Hello Family,
As promised, I just wanted to take a moment to connect with you and to let you know what is taking place with your Sligo family during these very challenging times. As many of you are aware, this past weekend was our second Sabbath service where worship was offered solely on an online platform. I want to thank all of you who joined us for worship from your homes or wherever you are spending your Sabbaths these days. On Sabbath, we had nearly 3,000 devices that were connected to our service for worship. Again, I want to thank our media team and all who make this ministry possible each week. God has brought you here for “such a time as this.”
I also want to take this opportunity to let you know what we are doing to remain connected as a community of faith. In addition to our virtual Sabbath service, we are holding a call-in prayer service where those who desire to be a part of this gathering can join other like-minded individuals. If you would like to be a part of this gathering on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m., you may dial 425-440-5010, and when prompted, enter the following conference pin: 867642#
Another way that we are making connections is by reaching out to our members by phone. Last week alone, the pastors, along with the elders, were able to make hundreds of phone calls in an attempt to check in with, especially our more senior members, to see if help is needed.
During this time we have heard from many who are in our Journey Groups who are frustrated as a result of not being able to connect with each other because of ‘social distancing.’ If you are a member of a Journey Group, or would like to be part of a Journey Group that will begin to meet through an online platform, such as zoom or Skype, please just click on the link that follows to receive more information <virtualjourneygroups>
Also, I want you to keep in prayer Ken Flemmer and our Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington, as I’m sure you can imagine, they are receiving even greater requests for assistance at this time. If you would like to learn more about how you can be of help, click on the following link. <acsgw>
This is a challenging time for a number of our members, particularly those who have lost their means of livelihood. Should you be in that position or know of a member who is, please write to Pr. McFarlane about this at <dmcfarlane@sligochurch.org> We will certainly do our very best to provide whatever support we can.
Last, but definitely not least, I want to thank you for your financial stewardship during this crisis. Many of you are giving online and others are either mailing their contributions or bringing them directly to the church office, and for this we are eternally grateful. <SligoChurch.org/Give>
As I mentioned this past Sabbath, I am confident that God will see us through this as a nation, as a people and as a church. My prayer is that as a result of having gone through this ordeal we will come forth being better, stronger and wiser. And as long as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the “author and finisher of our faith,” I have no doubt that we will.
Richest Blessings,
Charles A. Tapp Senior Pastor