Coronavirus Update

UPDATE: Tuesday, March 31st at 11:44am

Letter from the Elders:
 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. – Psalm 23.

Dear Church Family,

We have sent a letter to you through the mail this week, but are copying you via email as well. This is because we sincerely want to make sure that you hear from your elders during this time.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020 has proven to be a unique time in world history. By God’s grace, this will also be a unique time in the history of the Church. I have found the 23rd Psalm to give comfort, peace and direction to my thoughts and actions over these last days. As we journey together, it is important, now more than ever, that we stay faithful and focused on being the Church, as God has called us to be.

The elders of City Centre Baptist Church want you to know:

1. We care for you.
We know that this crisis may be affecting you in multiple ways. If you are sick or caring for someone who is sick, the church can assist with picking up groceries or medication. If your job has been affected, City Centre is providing resources that can help. If you are balancing working from home with caring for children, we want to support you. If you are lonely, we’re here to surround you with the community. The elders and staff are praying and monitoring the situation with the intent of developing new and better ways of being present in the life of each person who is a part of our church family.

2. We are available to you.
If you would like an elder to pray with you, you can reach out through the home page of our website (citycentrebaptist.ca) or directly through elders@citycentrebaptist.ca . We will call you to pray or just to talk, and we can direct you to more support that the church has available.

3. City Centre is continuing in ministry.
Even though it looks a little different, we must continue to meet together in worship weekly. Plan your Sunday around our 9:45am Livestream. Get dressed for church and gather your family around the TV or iPad. Sing and open God’s Word knowing that you are engaging together with your church family in the worship and praise of our great God who is sustaining us. The staff are providing excellent discipleship tools and programs specifically tuned to our present situation. We must take the initiative to find out how we can best engage with them and continue to press deeper with Christ. So, keep talking to our pastors and visit the website daily.

4. We need your partnership.
In order to sustain all of these resources from our church, we must remain faithful in our tithes and offerings. City Centre has always relied solely on the faithful giving of our church family to provide spiritual and practical ministry to our congregation. As difficult as it may be, we cannot allow fear or circumstances to curtail our habits of supporting the work of the church when we need it the most. As elders, we appeal to you boldly, with full confidence that God will provide. There are several ways you can continue to give:

1. Write a cheque and send it in the mail.
2. Give directly from your bank account through E-Transfer using this email offering@citycentrebaptist.ca
3. Online giving is available by credit card and debit card, through the website or via text message.
4. You can set up an automatic transfer from your account.

If you would like counsel or to talk with an elder about your giving, please do not hesitate to reach out to us (elders@citycentrebaptist.ca).

5. God is in control.
Finally, we remember that God is sovereign over all, working out His plan in everything. His goodness and mercy are our wonderful hope. Our response to COVID-19 is not out of fear, but care and compassion for those most vulnerable and Christian responsibility to our community. It is our privilege to keep trusting, seeking and worshipping the Lord together with you.

Sincerely, in Christ,


Jerry MacKenzie
(on behalf of the elders)

UPDATE: Saturday, March 28th at 9:15pm

Ontario Prohibits Gatherings of More Than Five People with Strict Exceptions

Stronger action required to stop the spread of COVID-19

Office of the Premier

TORONTO — Today, the Ontario government is taking immediate and decisive action to further stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and well-being of all Ontarians.

Based on the best advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government is issuing a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to prohibit organized public events and social gatherings of more than five people, effective immediately.

UPDATE: Friday, March 27th at 2:34pm

 

Dear Church Family,

City Centre is available to you spiritually and practically during this time.  Our website now has direct links if you need to pray or talk with someone, if you need help/support, and if you can volunteer to help people who may need it. 

Catch the latest entry in Pastor Deric’s Blog to stay connected.

Join us for worship by Livestream this Sunday, March 29th at 9:45am.  Pastor Max will lead us in song and Pastor Deric will open the Word as we study and pray together.

In addition, we will join in as the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the World Evangelical Alliance are inviting Canadians and churches to a Global Day of Prayer and Fasting as part of the Church response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Get resources here.

The full service will also be posted immediately following for re-viewing.  We have added more viewing platforms for our live stream to handle the additional traffic:

If you are viewing from a laptop or computer, 
visit https://www.citycentrebaptist.ca/livestream/

If you are viewing from a phone or mobile device, 
visit https://www.citycentre.today/livestream.html

If you have trouble reaching either of these pages, 
visit https://kastio.com/city-centre


In the grace of Jesus,

Your City Centre Staff

UPDATE: Thursday, March 19th at 12:55pm

 

Dear Church Family,

We’re partnered with you in prayer for God’s sovereignty to reign over all in these challenging times.

In accordance with federal and local public health guidelines, all services and meetings at City Centre remain suspended.  Our physical office is closed but all staff are online and working remotely, available to you for ministry and encouragement.

We will be live streaming our worship service every Sunday at 9:45am. 

The full service will also be posted immediately following for re-viewing.  We have added more viewing platforms for our live stream to handle the additional traffic:

If you are viewing from a laptop or computer,
visit https://www.citycentrebaptist.ca/livestream/

If you are viewing from a phone or mobile device,
visit https://www.citycentre.today/livestream.html

If you have trouble reaching either of these pages,
visit https://kastio.com/city-centre

We thank you for continuing to support the work of the church by holding us up in prayer.  You can continue to give financially in various ways, detailed on our website.

Pastor Deric wants to stay in touch with you!  He’s started a new blog and is posting regularly to stay connected with our church family. Visit https://www.citycentrebaptist.ca/pdblog/ for his latest post.

Please continue to check back to our website for up to date information on City Centre’s Response and to the Peel Public Health for public health updates.


In His grace,

Your City Centre Ministry Team
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UPDATE: Monday, March 16th at 8:30pm

The Ontario Chief Medical Officer (March 16, 2020) recommending immediate suspension of all gatherings of 50 or more and heightened alert to “child-care spaces”, City Centre Church is pausing all week-end services  and all weekly ministry meetings until we are cleared to gather safely without risk to anyone.
 
We are working on a Blog from Pastor Deric and other online resources for you to use during this unusual event. Watch for updates on social media and our website at citycentrebaptist.ca/cv.
 

UPDATE: Saturday, March 14th at 12:45pm

Dear Church Family,
 
We will be LiveStreaming on Sunday @ 9:45am. Please join us online or watch the service soon after via uploaded video at citycentrebaptist.ca/sermons

UPDATE: Friday, March 13th at 4:20pm

Dear Church Family,
 

As a result of the most recent guidelines from the Ontario Chief Medical Officer (March 13, 2020) recommending immediate suspension of all gatherings of 250 or more and heightened alert to “child-care spaces”, City Centre Church is pausing all week-end services  and all weekly ministry meetings until we are cleared to gather safely without risk to anyone. 

Our decision is not made out of fear but out of great love for others and the need to protect those who are vulnerable to the coronavirus.  

I have asked the staff to find fresh ways to connect in community with you through online teaching, lessons for the children, encouragement and care.  We are already planning to stream worship services to you on Sunday morning.  Watch for updates on social media and our website at citycentrebaptist.ca/cv.

AGAPE,
Pastor Deric

On behalf of the staff and elders of City Centre Baptist Church

 

“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Selah

Psalm 46:10-11                               

UPDATE: Thursday, March 12th at 4:45pm

Dear Church Family,
Like you, City Centre is following the evolving situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are consistently monitoring the information from government and public health organizations and responding as needed, as well as aligning our response with other proactive congregations. Here is what you need to know from us:
 
First, our primary call as a church is to respond spiritually.We ask that you pray for our city, our nation and the world in the face of this challenge. Pray also that people will find hope in the gospel through it.
 
Second, we are called to respond pastorally. If you need pastoral care, prayer or spiritual support, please visit citycentrebaptist.ca/care or contact our Community Life Pastor, Drew Armstrong.
 
Next, until we are told otherwise, our church will continue to gather together each weekend for worship centred on the Word of God. We are continuing to plan for Easter and our other regular events, while taking extra precautions. In addition, we are actively focusing on prevention by taking the following measures:
 
We are now sanitizing our spaces 3X per week, including our Children’s Ministry areas and toys.
 
We have implemented increased sanitization of surfaces and key areas between all Sunday morning services, including Children’s Ministry spaces.
 
We are maintaining a Children’s Ministry policy regarding wellness, including the standard that no child will be admitted to classrooms who is not free of fever for 24 hours or has nasal discharge or persistent cough.
 
We will not pass offering plates but rather have baskets available in the back of the auditorium to drop off offerings.
 
Our First Impressions teams will be advised of a no handshake, no hug policy. We will refrain from our normal practice of greeting one another during morning services and instead exercise a different method of showing community.
 
We will temporarily suspend our Daybreak and Agape Cafes.
 
For the service of the Lord’s Table, we will introduce sealed communion cups containing both bread and juice which will be available in each chair (not passed via plates).
 
Local and national authorities have advised that the public health risk associated with COVID-19 is low for Canada, as of this writing. We encourage you to be proactive in observing the recommended basic personal habits to prevent the spread of germs:
 
Cover your mouth with your arm when coughing, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water, utilize hand sanitizer when possible.
 
Remain at home if you’re ill, especially if you’re having respiratory symptoms like cough, fever, or difficulty breathing.
 
Self-isolate at home and monitor yourself for respiratory symptoms (fever, cough and difficulty breathing) for 14 days after returning to Canada from ANY DESTINATION. Self-isolation is recommended and no need to notify local public health unless symptoms persist or become worse.
 
Finally, we are proactively working on enhancing our Livestreaming option should we be required to modify or suspend services.
 
You can always catch any sermon you have missed at citycentrebaptist.ca/sermons.
 
For more information on how to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19, please visit the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 website.
 
You can check this page and our Facebook and Twitter feeds for up to date information on City Centre’s response.
 
We thank God for the great privilege of gathering together as the church and do not take it lightly.
Conscious that it is possible we may be prevented from doing so for a time in the near future, we ask you to pray for all who are and will be affected by this outbreak.
 
We are praying with you and for you!
 
In the grace of Jesus,