Nearly every year since Tumbler Ridge began, Easter has been a time when all the churches gather together to celebrate the most important date on the Christian Calendar.
For the first number of years, the churches would gather together at Flatbed for a Sunrise service at seven in the morning, but, with some Easters looking like this years—snow up to the knees—the practice was changed to a regular service, but with all the churches gathering together, usually at New Life, with a breakfast beforehand, and service after.
This year, that practice continues, virtually.
According to Pastor Brett Robinson from the Tumbler Ridge Fellowship Baptist Church, the form it takes this year will be different than usual. “We will be live-streaming online both the Good Friday (6:30 PM) and Resurrection Sunday (10:30 AM) services from New Life Assembly’s building using Facebook Live,” he says. “We have tested it, and you should be able to watch the live stream even if you do not have a Facebook account.”
Importantly, he says, “please do not come to the New Life Assembly building as we are trying to live by the social distancing guidelines and other government policies in response to the spread of covid-19. With all these self-isolating measures in place most of us currently have more free time at home these days. Although the circumstances are tough, this can be seen as a gift. Now we are not busy, or are not as busy!”
Even though the church is unable to meet in person, he says, “Do take advantage of this time to catch-up with friends and family outside your home, as well as inside your home,” he says.
He points to the story of Joseph in Genesis. For those of you unfamiliar, it is the story about a group of brothers who are jealous of the youngest son, Joseph, who is their father’s favourite. They sell him into slavery, but Joseph rises in fame and fortune to become the second most powerful man in the Egyptian Empire, who is able to navigate the country through a time of famine and find reconciliation with his brothers. “As for you, you meant evil against me,” says Joseph in Genesis 50, “but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
For those who wish to participate, Pastor Ken will be delivering the Good Friday message tonight at 6:30, while Pastor Brett will be delivering the Easter Sunday. Click on this link to join: https://fb.me/EasterTR2020.
