e-Letter
January 18, 2021
Dear West View family
How encouraging it is to see that the wave of new infections in Gauteng reached its peak a week ago and that daily infections rates are now showing a decline. Let us each play our part in physical distancing, mask wearing and hand-washing to ensure that the infection rate continues to fall, so that the economy and education sectors can re-open. This pandemic reminds us of our interconnectedness, and the power that each one of us has in determining the safety and well-being of each other. Let’s use that power, in self-sacrificial ways, to ensure the well-being of all in our beloved land.
ADJUSTED CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Whilst we are still in the second wave, church staff will continue to work from home as much as possible. The office building will be open 8h00 – 12h00 Monday – Friday; the switchboard will be open 8h00 – 15h30 Monday – Friday, and staff can be contacted on their cellphones or via email during their normal working hours. Please note that staff are mostly working from home. Meetings with staff members onsite are by appointment only.
COVENANT RENEWAL SERVICE
This Sunday’s online Covenant Renewal Service will be a powerful moment of re-dedicating our lives to Christ and His Kingdom. Please prepare by reading through the Covenant Prayer beforehand. Those living in Centurion can collect consecrated communion elements from the church office during this week (8h00 – 12h00) or can contact me to arrange to collect communion elements from my home after hours. There will be a time in the service for you to take communion.
HOW WILL YOU LEARN IN COMMUNITY DURING 2021?
Yesterday Siphiwe reminded us that life change happens when small groups of people meet to learn, pray, and do life together. I commend the following online groups to you, and pray that each of you will choose one of these opportunities to grow in your faith during 2021:
1. Tuesday Zoom Bible Study; 19h30 SAST: This one-hour interactive study will dig deeper into the scripture and theme of Sunday’s sermon. It includes a time of prayer and fellowship.
2. Wednesday Zoom Bible Study; 10h00 SAST: The same format as Tuesday evening.
To sign up for either of these groups, send ‘Tues Bible Study’ or ‘Wed Bible Study’ via WhatsApp to the West View cell. You will then receive the link each week. Both groups begin this week
For those who have completed Disciple 1, the following Disciple courses are offered on Zoom:
- Disciple 2: “Into the Word, Into the World” (Genesis-Exodus; Luke-Acts)
- Disciple 4: “Under the Tree of Life” (The Writings; John; Revelation)
For more details or to enrol, contact james@westview.org.za
Manna and Mercy: Thursdays 8pm SAST starting 4th February. This 17 week Zoom course unpacks the overarching story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, addressing questions such as ‘Is there a difference between the Old Testament God and Jesus?’; ‘Is the Bible a book of oppression or liberation?’ and ‘Why did Jesus really die?’ Participants will read the manual and listen to short podcasts and videos between the weekly meeting. For more details or to enrol, contact james@westview.org.za
Please note that all, regardless of geographic location, are welcome to participate in these groups.
WEST VIEW ANNUAL SOCIETY MEETING
All West View members are encouraged to join in our online Annual Society Meeting on Wednesday 10th February @ 19h00. I’ll share with you the lessons that the pandemic has taught us about being church after the pandemic is over. We’ll also table the 2021 budget for approval. The link will be sent by email and WhatsApp prior to the meeting.
Grace and Peace
Ian