Hi Newport Church Family,
We trust that you are keeping well and experiencing a fresh measure of grace for this season.
Happy Labor Day weekend to you all! We pray that you have a blessed and happy weekend and enjoy a special time with family and friends.
Our Future is Shaped by the way we Transition though the Seasons
In this Sunday’s message I will be continuing with the series “We’ve never been this way before” and the importance of transitioning well from one season to the next.
Astronomers and meteorologists define seasons differently. The astronomical start of a season is based on the position of the earth in relation to the sun whereas the meteorological start of a season is based on the annual temperature cycle and the twelve month calendar.
The meteorological season begins on the first of the month and lasts for 3 months, so September 1st this week was the first day of fall while September 22nd will be the first day of fall in the Astronomical calendar.
The seasons come and the seasons go and we have no choice or control over them, even if we would prefer to live in a perpetual summer!
What we do have however is a choice in is how we transition from one season to the other.
These last six months have been a season that none of us expected or have ever had to navigate before. We have all had to transition from a pre-COVID-19 world to a world in the midst of COVID-19 and soon we are all going to transition into a post-COVID-19 world.
Although we can measure the end and beginning of a season astronomically and meteorologically, God is the only one who knows when this COVID-19 season twill end.
What we do know however, is that the way we transition into the post-COVID 19 season will determine how well we enter the new season when it comes.
God is the God of all seasons, who reveals Himself in different ways in every season and for every season God gives us a special measure of grace.
Let’s prepare for the new season mentally, physically and spiritually rather than simply waiting for things to change, while asking God for a special measure of grace so that we can make the transition in the best possible way.
God is on the throne and He will lead and guide us through this way that we’ve never been before!
Summer Gatherings
One of the great ways that we can transition as a church is with summer evening outdoor gatherings. These give us an opportunity to gather in an environment where we can worship together, while maintaining the current protocols, and meeting within our own individual levels of comfort.
Our next one hour outdoor Worship and Communion service will be next Saturday September 12th from 6.00 to 7.00pm and we would love for you to join us for what will be an awesome and uplifting time of gathering together.
Let’s do all that we can to invite the people in our world. Here is a link that you can send to your family and friends with details of the evening: newportchurch.com/events
Thank you for your Generosity and Support of Vision Rescue
A big thank you for your faithful giving of donations, tithes and offerings. Your generosity continues to be especially important in this uncertain time.
This year we are supporting a classroom of 20 children in Mumbai, India through Vision Rescue, who are experiencing the full force of COVID-19 in an extremely challenging environment.
For only $300 per year we can provide food, education, health care, life skills training for one child, while sharing the gospel and love of Jesus with those living in the most difficult circumstances.
Here is a link to an inspiring video outlining the awesome work that Vision Rescue are doing: https://youtu.be/mX4wqET3BUg
We encourage you to partner with us and you may make a contribution by clicking on this link.
Thank you once again for the eternal difference you are making!
Praying for Healing, Spiritual Awakening and Unity
Let’s keep praying that God will give us grace and favor in this season, and that He will turn back the tide of COVID-19 bringing healing, spiritual awakening and unity to our nation and world.
6am Prayer Meeting every Tuesday Morning
We would love you to join our 6am prayer meeting led by Rino Chantana and you can do so by clicking on this link.
We also encourage you to take some time to pray at 7.14 every morning and evening, twice a day with one voice, wherever you may be. #UNITE714
We very much look forward to seeing you at our next outdoor gathering and to you joining us online Sunday at 10 am.
Let’s continue to be a voice of hope and faith!
We love and appreciate you all greatly,
Jonathan & Dianne Wilson
Senior Pastors