Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday so this morning I preached a Pro-Life message titled "The Imago Dei Matters" that addressed not only abortion, but also racism, euthanasia, a Biblical view of disability, and more.

It was an exciting day! I make no apology for deliberately being a Pro-Life pastor. Our Church started its annual baby bottle drive for the Hope Pregnancy Center in Ocean City.

As a follow-up to the message and as a way to recommend some good resources to reflect on today, here are some sources I would like to commend to you.

• R.C. Sproul answers Why Churches should observe Sanctity of Life Sunday
• John Piper Resources:
• Free Chapter in For the Fame of God's Name outlining John Piper's Prophetic Pro-Life Preaching
• Piper's Sanctity of Life Sermons.
• Abort73: powerful and helpful website
• Albert Mohler article, "Abortion is as American as Apple Pie."
• 180 The Movie. If you haven't seen, you simply must! Visit 180movie.com
• Here's a wonderful article by Randy Alcorn on the Biblical perspectives on an unborn child.
• I used Tim Tebow's story, as an illustration, this morning. Here's an interview with Bob & Pam following last year's Super Bowl ad

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgKfIlj3sD0&feature=player_embedded%E2%80%99%5D[/embed]

• Here's a followup article by Randy Alcorn
• Here's a really cool visualization from conception to birth.

I love the text in this stanza of Immortal Invisible, it was a joy to affirm it as a congregation this morning.

To all, life Thou givest, 

to both great and small; 

In all life Thou livest, 

the true life of all; 

We blossom and flourish

as leaves on the tree,

And wither and perish--

but naught changeth Thee.

If you're struggling because you've aborted a child, there is hope and healing. If you think you're pregnant and are considering aborting the child, there are options.

Pro-Life Resources

Here are some good resources on the issue of abortion that I would commend to you.

Top Recommendation - Randy Alcorn's book has become a classic and go-to book in this area.

Alcorn, Randy. Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments Expanded & Updated. Expanded. Multnomah Books, 2000

———. Why Pro-Life?: Caring for the Unborn and Their Mothers. Multnomah Books, 2004. While this book is out-of-print it is still available at Eternal Perspective Ministries. You can also get a free pdf of the entire book here.

Feinberg, John S., and Paul D. Feinberg.Ethics for a Brave New World, Second Edition. 2nd ed. Crossway Books, 2010.

Klusendorf, Scott. The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture. Crossway Books, 2009.

Masse, Sydna. Her Choice to Heal: Finding Spiritual and Emotional Peace After Abortion. New. David C. Cook, 2009.

McCorvey, Norma, and Gary Thomas. Won by Love: Norma McCorvey, Jane Roe of Roe V. Wade, Speaks Out for the Unborn As She Shares Her New Conviction for Life. Thomas Nelson Inc, 1998. Jamie and I read this book together several years ago, it is a very transparent and eye-opening book of Norma’s experience as being “Jane Roe.” It chronicles her conversion and introduces her Roe no More Ministry.

Powlison, David. Healing after Abortion. 1st ed. New Growth Press, 2008

Beloved LCC Family & Friends,

One area of discipleship that cuts to our hearts is in the area of finances. Many times in scriptures the connection between our heart and our money is highlighted, especially by our Lord.

Individuals and families struggle with financial decisions. Questions related to credit cards, co-signing a loan for a family member, basic saving, investing and Social Security can become overwhelming. As Believers, we are taught to become a “Wise Steward” for the sake of our testimony and to protect our family. We only have to look as far as God’s Word to find the wisdom to answer many of these questions.

Our church has partnered with Life Institute to conduct a Stewardship Lifestyle Seminar to provide us with useful applications for Biblical Stewardship. I personally encourage you to attend these sessions that we are hosting on Sunday, November 14th through Tuesday,

November 16.

For more information about the session times, please see the Seminar Schedule in the Welcome Center.

  The Stewardship Lifestyle Seminar will offer teaching sessions that cover Biblical principles and practical applications including:

• What is the difference between a secular and a Biblical worldview of money?
• How can we train the next generation to understand and become better stewards?
• How can I establish a budget that works?
• How can I accelerate a way to get out of debt?
• When should I start saving and investing?
• When can I afford to retire and how much will I need?
• What is a “Christian’s Will”?
• How can I lay up treasures in heaven and invest in the Kingdom of God?

Whether you are just starting out or you are well experienced in your understanding of financial stewardship, this Biblical overview of stewardship will benefit you greatly. I would also like to encourage you to invite your friends and relatives who do not attend our church. This is a tremendous witness for us as Christians to show non-believers that there is relevance in the Scriptures and the ministries we provide.

Grace to you,

Jayson Byrd

2020 has been a year full of turmoil, unexpected changes, and anxiety all reminding us of the broken fallen world we live in that needs a rescuer. Christmas is the reminder that God's rescuer has come in the redeemer and rescuer, Jesus the Christ.

Although different, these are the opportunities to celebrate and serve at LCC this Christmas.

Christmas Around the World

Sunday, December 13th at 6 PM we'll be celebrating the diversity in the Body of Christ and the unity of the Gospel by celebrating the diversity of Christmas music and backgrounds in our local church. We'll have readings and songs from several different countries.

A desert fellowship will be held afterward.

Piercing Word Drama

A musical remembrance of Christ's Birth presented by The Piercing Word Drama, Christmas Through The Ages. Experience the story of Christ's birth told by performing the Scripture. Sunday, December 20th at 6:00 pm

Christmas Eve Service

Join us on December 24th at 7 pm for a time of singing, scripture, prayers, and reflection in a family-friendly Christmas Eve Service.

We're excited to be back to inside services.

Guidelines and Procedures for resuming indoor services

We are so excited to be getting back to the pattern of Jesus followers from the time of Christ onward of gathering on the first day of the week, Sunday, for corporate worship and fellowship. 

As we said in closing announcements in March, we pray that our guiding priorities are love for God and love for neighbor while submitting to the God-given civil authorities over us. We’re so grateful for the many hours of work and added stresses involved in supplying video services and drive-in services. 

Gathering Instructions

Please know that many details and factors have been discussed and many steps have been taken to be prepared for worship. The following is our plan based on recommendations from health, legal, and church leaders. We look forward to regathering in a safe, sanitized, and socially distanced way. 

Attendance & Capacity 

• All are invited, welcomed, and encouraged to gather. However, attendance capacity will be limited to the Governor’s temporary guidelines. 
• So that we are able to be compliant with capacity limitations we are asking everyone to register for a service or call the church office. Knowing approximately how many to expect will help prepare for capacity and add services as needed. 

Register Here

• If you are in any of the categories listed high risk, have a weakened immune system, or live with someone in these categories we encourage you to participate in an alternative way and feel no social pressure or guilt for doing so in this temporary season. 
• We will have a VIP Room:  The overflow rooms behind the auditorium will be reserved as a separate venue for those in the VP (Vulnerable Population). This is behind the glass, but still able to see and hear the service. 
• If you are sick in any way or showing symptoms please do not attend. Your duty is love for neighbor. Those showing symptoms of COVID-19 may be asked to have their temperature taken and/or asked to leave. 
• If you do not attend we encourage you to participate by watching via Livestream. 

Distancing Guidelines

1. We encourage following the recommended guidelines for physical distancing. Avoid handshaking and hugs temporarily. Smiles, words of encouragement, Wakanda Salutes, and Vulcan signs ;-), etc. are still encouraged. Bows & courtesies are permissible for those more formal types. :-) 
2. We encourage you to follow the Governor’s Executive Order in regard to Face Masks. 
3. Restrooms should be used in a limited and distanced way. 
4. Wash hands regularly. 
5. Use the added hand sanitizer stations often. 
6. Follow the posted instructions. 

Instructions & Expectations

Entering & Exiting  the Building

• Parking: Follow distancing guidelines in the parking lot and when entering the building. 
• Touchless Entrances: Doors will be propped open or opened by an attendant for a touchless entry. 

Seating

• Follow ushers and greeters’ instructions for distanced seating.
• To reduce congestion and added contact we’re asking many to plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early. We’re planning some extra “Gathering Music” during this time. This same pattern will be followed for exiting after the closing. 
• Seating will be distanced by the family unit. 

Service Expectations

Elements: Expect the regular elements of worship, scripture reading, congregational singing, ministry of the Word, prayer, giving, and fellowship. 

Offering: We will not be passing offering plates but will have a box available in the lobby. Online giving will be available as well. 

Family Integrated: At this phase our services are Family Integrated, meaning that children worship with their parents or guardians. You can all help this by: 

• Help: parents, grandparents, and siblings can help little ones pay attention.
• Accept it as a good thing: Baby’s and children making some noise during the service is normal and should be expected. Don’t worry about it. We actually think it’s awesome to have the sound of children at LCC, it’s a sign of life and health. 
• Be courteous: We do, however, want to make sure the message of Christ is heard and clear. So, if the sound gets to a distracting level, it’s quite appropriate and even courteous to get up during the service and take the little one to another room or space. 

Please do not Socially Distance or Quarantine the following

While there is a time for physical quarantine, please remember that there are a few things that never should be quarantined.

• Don't quarantine disciple-making and the great commission. Use this opportunity to initiate Gospel relationships and conversations online and in person. Times of crisis give us incredible opportunities to display trust in God and share the hope of the Gospel.
• Don't quarantine prayer. Please keep our church family and ministries in prayer.
• Don't quarantine giving. The work, ministry, and expenses of LCC and our supported missionaries are continuing and in many ways busier now than ever. 

Beginning May 17th, 2020

What is it? 

Worshiping “together” while physically “distant” in vehicles.

Cars Parked spaced apart for an outdoor service organized facing temporary platform or trailer from which music and preaching. Audio transmitted via speakers FM Transmitter. (this also allows us to do this rain or shine) 

A greater sense of fellowship and togetherness more attuned to corporate worship than passively watching separately on a screen at home.

Note: At the service you'll want to go to THIS LINK to follow the service.

Social Distancing

• Windows closed unless the cars is parked 6 feet from others.
• Stay in YOUR vehicle - nothing exchanged between vehicles, remain in your vehicle, no sharing vehicles - single-family/group.
• Restrooms are only available for emergencies. We encourage all to “go” before coming.
• Offering: We will not pass plates, but encourage donations, offerings, and tithes via mail and online giving. A basket/bin at the exit for offering envelope drop-off when leaving the lot. 

Logistics

• Service Starts at 10:45 AM
• Enter through Seaview Ave. entrance. We encourage you to arrive early. 
• Follow parking attendant instructions. 
• Tune your radio to FM 88.5
• Look up the song lyrics or use the Digital Bulletin

Details/FAQ

• Will there still be a Livestream video? Yes. We know some will not be able to attend in a car for a variety of reasons, so we will still have the video Livestream available on the website. However, the Livestream will be “low tech” in terms of sound and video quality. 

Kids Ministry

Family Integrated

• When families worship together, children receive an amazing intergenerational experience and thus have the opportunity to be influenced by the example of their parents and the congregation.
• We encourage kids to participate in the service as a family. We are seeking to include the kids in our song selection and Pastor’s new series has the kids in mind as well. 
• 8 Tips For Helping Your Child Worship--this is a free printable PDF that gives helpful ways to engage your kids in worship.
• Several options are available for kids’ church notebooks that encourage listening and understanding. Here are a couple we recommend:
• “My Church Notebook” by Truth78 (John Piper’s ministry)
• “Busy Books: Sermon Notebooks For Kids” (recommended for ages 8-12)

Youth Ministry

We encourage our youth to “own” the fact that this is their church. We need you now more than ever. You are digital natives, we are digital immigrants. Some areas that you can serve are:

Greeting 

Idea: holding signs lining the parking lot entrance with happy joyful greetings. 

Technology

Helping with Livestream and slides during the service. Taking pics for Instagram, etc. Helping our church on social media. 

Engaging

• Resources for engaging during services:
• “Busy Books: Sermon Notes For Young Ladies” (Teen Girls)
• “Sermon Notes Journal” (Teens & Adults)
• “52-Week Sermon Notes Journal” (Teens & Adults)

How should you watch the livestream?

1. On a laptop or desktop computer. = The website is the ideal way. www.linwoodcommunity.church/live
2. If your'e using a Smart TV. = The Boxcast or Faithlife TV App (available on all platforms)
3. If you want to interact with others while watching. - Facebook or Youtube livestream both have interactive chat boxes. We also recommend trying the livestream chat on our Faithlife group https://faithlife.com/lccnj/livestream

Website:

Go to https://linwoodcommunity.church/live on any browser.

• Click the video player. It will start when the feed goes live.
• Under related videos you can see previous services.

Facebook:

• Go to our Facebook Page (Give us "like" btw:-)
• The video will go live at the scheduled time.
• You can interact with others during the service.

Youtube:

• Find our channel on whatever youtube app you're on.
• The service video will go live at the scheduled time.
• You can interact with others in the chat.
• Other videos are available to watch as well.

Faithlife TV APP (available on your mobile device or Smart TV

Faithlife TV Follow our Livestream in the mobile app.

https://faithlifetv.com/items/737616

1. iPhone or Ipad https://apps.apple.com/us/app/faithlife-tv/id1025325721?ls=1
2. Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.faithlife.tvapp.android

For you youngsters with fancy TV's :-)

Smart TV - Use the Faithlife TV or Boxcast App. Find LCC's channel & watch on your big screen.

Faithlife TV App search for the Linwood Community Church channel

https://faithlifetv.com/watch-anywhere

1. Apple TV https://apps.apple.com/us/app/faithlife-tv/id1025325721
2. Amazon Fire TV https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072NCJQMX
3. Roku https://channelstore.roku.com/details/35394/faithlife-tv
4. Chromecast https://faithlifetv.com/watch-anywhere

Boxcast App and search for Linwood Community Church Channel. https://www.boxcast.com/tv-apps-appletv-roku

1. Apple TV https://apps.apple.com/us/app/boxcast/id1113645192
2. Ruku https://channelstore.roku.com/details/90448/boxcast
3. Amazon Fire TV https://www.amazon.com/BoxCast/dp/B07M7WNFM2

I find myself going back to this clip almost every year on Good Friday.

I love this meditation on Good Friday and can’t listen/watch it enough. S.M. (Shadrach Meshack) Lockridge, a pastor in San Deigo from 1953-1993 at Calvary Baptist Church.

Here are two videos with the audio of S.M. Lockridge’s famous sermon “Sunday’s Coming.” The first is powerfully illustrated with footage from “The Passion of the Christ” and the second supplies the text in the screen.

Enjoy and meditate this Good Friday!

It's Friday But Sunday's Coming Passion Video

It's Friday But Sunday's Coming with lyrics

It’s Friday

Jesus is praying

Peter’s a sleeping

Judas is betraying

But Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday

Pilate’s struggling

The council is conspiring

The crowd is vilifying

They don’t even know

That Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday

The disciples are running

Like sheep without a shepherd

Mary’s crying

Peter is denying

But they don’t know

That Sunday’s a comin’

It’s Friday

The Romans beat my Jesus

They robe him in scarlet

They crown him with thorns

But they don’t know

That Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday

See Jesus walking to Calvary

His blood dripping

His body stumbling

And his spirit’s burdened

But you see, it’s only Friday

Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday

The world’s winning

People are sinning

And evil’s grinning

It’s Friday

The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands

To the cross

They nail my Savior’s feet

To the cross

And then they raise him up

Next to criminals

It’s Friday

But let me tell you something

Sunday’s comin’

I

t’s Friday

The disciples are questioning

What has happened to their King

And the Pharisees are celebrating

That their scheming

Has been achieved

But they don’t know

It’s only Friday

Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday

He’s hanging on the cross

Feeling forsaken by his Father

Left alone and dying

Can nobody save him?

Ooooh

It’s Friday

But Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday

The earth trembles

The sky grows dark

My King yields his spirit

It’s Friday

Hope is lost

Death has won

Sin has conquered

and Satan’s just a laughin’

It’s Friday

Jesus is buried

A soldier stands guard

And a rock is rolled into place

But it’s Friday

It is only Friday

Sunday is a comin’!

A simple guide to watching our services live when you’re not able to attend in person. 

Plan: 

Out of love for God and love for neighbor, we plan to still “Be the Church” and comply with recommendations and guidelines for social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis. Our desire was to offer online options “someday” anyway, but in God’s providence, this event has sped that up.

Worship Services: 

will be streamed live at 9:30 and 11:00 AM on Sundays. You can access the stream in multiple ways, as we want to give many options depending on how you access online media.  

Meetings & Small Group Gatherings: 

Small meetings and interactive prayer gatherings will be conducted via Zoom. A “how-to” info sheet will be coming soon. 

OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

Immediate Purpose: 

To allow our church and community to remain connected and continue to be the church while following social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Ongoing Purpose: 

To extend the “front porch” of our church. Allow shut-ins and sick to stay connected as well as those traveling or on military deployment. 

How to Connect to Live Stream

We Livestream via Boxcast, which allows us to stream to many locations to give you several options to watch. Just pick which one works best for you. 

Via a Web browser:  

Simply go to https://linwoodcommunity.church/live on any browser. This is the most simple and direct way. 

On Social Media

1. Youtube: Go to our LCC Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjbJx57PTnKbuRSw1BVni4A/discussion?view_as=subscriber
2. Facebook Live: Follow our Facebook Page. The service will go live there. https://www.facebook.com/Linwoodcommunity.church

Mobile App

Faithlife TV Follow our Livestream in the mobile app. https://faithlifetv.com/items/737616

1. iPhone or Ipad https://apps.apple.com/us/app/faithlife-tv/id1025325721?ls=1
2. Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.faithlife.tvapp.android

Smart TV

1. Use the Boxcast App and search for Linwood Community Church Channel. https://www.boxcast.com/tv-apps-appletv-roku
2. Apple TV https://apps.apple.com/us/app/boxcast/id1113645192
3. Ruku https://channelstore.roku.com/details/90448/boxcast
4. Amazon Fire TV https://www.amazon.com/BoxCast/dp/B07M7WNFM2
5. Faithlife TV App search for the Linwood Community Church channel

https://faithlifetv.com/watch-anywhere

1. Apple TV https://apps.apple.com/us/app/faithlife-tv/id1025325721
2. Amazon Fire TV https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072NCJQMX
3. Roku https://channelstore.roku.com/details/35394/faithlife-tv
4. Chromecast https://faithlifetv.com/watch-anywhere

Special Message

Please note that this is new to us and we are learning. So, please be patient with us. We appreciate the feedback and helpful suggestions. “Until the whole world knows” 

Beloved LCC Family,

With the growing concern and cancelations regarding (COVID0-19) Coronavirus, I wanted to send a note about our plans at LCC for this weekend. 

We will still be holding our regularly scheduled services, groups, and classes with the following precautions and adjustments. We are attempting to be discerning as to the best course of action, listening to national and state leaders while holding to our convictions regarding fundamental aspects of the Christian life, namely the corporate worship of God’s people. We should not be motivated by fear but by love for God and love for neighbor. 

1. If you are sick, we encourage you to stay home out of love for neighbor and Christian brother. 
2. If you are in a high-risk group, etc. feel free to stay home without feeling any undue guilt or shame for doing so. It’s okay, really :-). 
3. We’re encouraging you to avoid handshaking temporarily. Smiles, words of encouragement, elbow bumps, Vulcan signs ;-), etc. are still encouraged. 
4. We’ve made sure hand sanitizer is in plentiful supply and the facilities are sanitized. 
5. Sermon Change: In light of the growing concern nationally, I’m changing the sermon to a topical message on “Trusting God in the face of Coronavirus.” We will resume our expository series through Luke next week.
6. Online Messages: We’ll be posting sermons on the website and sending them to those requesting a copy by CD who are unable to attend in person.  

In the message, we will consider God's sovereign control, his goodness, and wisdom to which we can respond in trust. While there is a time for physical quarantine, please remember that there are a few things that never should be quarantined.

• Don't quarantine disciple-making and the great commission. Use this opportunity to initiate Gospel relationships and conversations online and in person. Times of crisis give us incredible opportunities to display trust in God and share the hope of the Gospel.
• Don't quarantine prayer. Please keep our church family and ministries in prayer.
• Don't quarantine giving. We are making safe and secure online giving available here. 

Here are a couple of articles for you to consider. 

• FAQs: Coronavirus Explained by an Infectious Disease Expert and Pastor (& former Jersey boy :-)
• How DC Churches Responded When the Government Banned Public Gatherings During the Spanish Flu of 1918. A good reminder that the church has had to deal with issues like this before and history can be informative for us to calm down and gain perspective. There’s nothing new under the sun. 

Please feel free to reach out by email, phone, or text. We’re here to serve. 

Grace to you, 

Pastor, Linwood Community Church

“All revealed truth in harmonious proportion must be our theme…Do not make minor doctrines main points. Do not paint the details of the background of the gospel picture with the same heavy brush as the great objects in the foreground of it. For instance, the great problems of sublapsarianism and supralapsarianism, the trenchant debates concerning eternal filiation, the earnest dispute concerning the double procession, and the pre or post millenarian schemes, however important some may deem them, are practically of very little concern to that godly widow woman with seven children to support by her needle, who wants far more to hear of the loving kindness of the God of providence than of these mysteries profound; … Our great master theme is the good news of heaven; the tidings of mercy through the atoning death of Jesus, mercy to the chief sinners upon their believing Jesus. … Brethren, first and above all things, keep the evangelical doctrines… Of all I would wish to say this in the sum; my brethren preach Christ always and evermore. He is the whole gospel. His person, offices, and work must be our one great, all-comprehending theme. The world needs still to behold of its savior, and of the way to reach him. Justification by faith should be far more than it is the daily testimony of Protestant pulpits; and if it is the master-truth, there should be more generally associated the other great doctrines of grace, the better for our churches and our age. If with the zeal of Methodists we can preach the doctrine of Puritans, a great future is before us. The fire of Wesley, and the fuel of Whitefield, will cause a burning which shall set the forests of error on fire, and warm the very soul of this cold earth. We are not called to proclaim philosophy and metaphysics, but the simple gospel. Man’s fall, his need of a new birth, forgiveness through an atonement, and salvation as the result of faith, these are our battle-axe weapons of war. … More and more am I jealous lest any views upon prophecy, church government, politics, or even systematic theology, should withdraw one of us from glorying in the cross of Christ. Salvation is a theme for which I would feign enlist every holy tongue. I am greedy after witnesses for the glorious gospel of the blessed God. O that Christ crucified were the universal burden of men of God.” ~ C.H. Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, highlights from p. 75-79