二○二○年二月十五日／二月十六日
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疫情中的家書
周曉暉牧師
北宣家的弟兄姊妹：
願神的恩惠臨到你們！教牧們在禱告中記念大家，求主保守各人的身心靈，有康健與平安。
在這幾個主日，大家已陸續透過北宣網頁或手機程式「北宣Connect」，在網上參與崇拜。看來，這種分散在不同地方卻一同崇拜的模式，要維持好一段日子。在非常的時期，就要有非常的做法，既是顧及本港社區防疫的需要，也保護各人減少感染的風險。
在疫情持續期間，懇請各弟兄姊妹，安心留在家中，以靈以誠，全程參與網上的崇拜和祈禱會。
當然，要排除各種打擾，在家裡專心參與崇拜，並不簡單，但我們可將這情況看為一種操練和預演。說不定，這段在家崇拜的日子，會是個領未信家人歸主的時機呢！
疫症仍是來勢洶洶，我們除注重個人及家居衛生、戴口罩、勤洗手、顧己及人之外，亦不要忘卻信徒皆祭司的責任：以頌讚為祭，常常禱告。在這「感恩禱告年」裡，我們既多了時間留在家中，就應把握機會，多作操練。
2020年2月26日星期三，直到4月復活節前一天，是本年的預苦期。鼓勵你在此期間，每天默想基督的受苦與犧牲，並選定每週一個固定時段（例如某個午膳時間）禁食自省，求主施恩憐憫我城、醫治大地、保護在前線奔波勞碌的醫護和清潔人員，也為教牧團隊祈禱（我們正籌備疫情中的牧養安排）。
預苦期的操練會帶來實際的行動，就如本月金句的提醒：「不可忘記行善和分享」，要多留心那些微小的行善和分享機會，幫助憂患中的缺乏者。就在自己未感充足、甚至擔心短缺時，仍願送出一隻口罩、一小樽消毒藥水，這對缺乏的人來說，是很貼心的關懷。
此外，在只能參加網上崇拜的日子裡，我最掛心的，是一班銀髮群體：不知道他們是否懂得操作手機程式？錄播能在電腦上順利播放嗎？請每位北宣家人，都去關心自己相識的教會前輩，問一問，幫一幫他們。
預苦期臨近，我們且懷著盼望的心，迎向慶祝主復活的日子。在這逆境中，當轉眼仰望耶穌。深願我們的救主、使人成聖的主、醫治的主、再來的王，恩佑各人！
您的牧者 上
Pastor's Sharing
A Letter to the NPAC Family amid the Epidemic
Rev Arnold Chow
Dear brothers and sisters of the NPAC Family:
May the Lord's grace be with you! You are always in the prayers of the pastoral team. We pray that the Lord will keep you safe and in good health physically and spiritually.
Over the last few Sundays, we have gradually switched to online worship via the NPAC website or the NPAC app, 北宣Connect. It is likely that this mode of united worship in different places will continue for some time. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. We need to join the community in fighting the epidemic, protect everyone and minimize the risk of infection.
During the epidemic, only pastoral staff – as far as possible – will be present at the church to lead the Saturday prayer meeting, the Saturday worship service at 11am and the Sunday worship service at 10:45am, which are broadcast live online. Weekly pre-recorded Children, Youth, Putonghua, English and TC5 worship services have also been arranged. Brothers and sisters please stay home to participate in the worship services and prayer meetings wholeheartedly in the Spirit.
It is certainly not easy to eliminate all interruptions while worshiping at home. But let us take this as a kind of practice and rehearsal. And perhaps this would be an opportunity to lead non-believers in the family to the Lord!
The challenge from the epidemic is grave. Precautions must be taken carefully. Besides paying due attention to personal and home hygiene, wearing face masks, washing hands frequently and being considerate, let us not forget the responsibilities of the priesthood of all believers: the sacrifice of praise and constant prayer. As we spend more time at home in our Thanksgiving and Prayer Year, let us take the opportunity to practice more.
The period from February 26 (Wednesday) through April 11 (Saturday) is Lent. I encourage you to meditate daily on the suffering and sacrifice of the Lord and set apart a regular slot in your weekly schedule (such as a weekday lunchtime) to fast and reflect. Pray for God’s mercy on this city. Pray for healing for the infected around the world, protection of the toiling frontline medical and cleaning teams, and also for our pastoral team (as we prepare for shepherding amid the epidemic).
The training of Lent generates action, as the monthly Bible verse of this month reminds us: "And do not forget to do good and to share with others" (Hebrews 13:16a). Dear members of the NPAC Family, let us pay attention to the opportunities, however small, to do good and to share. Let us help those in need. Even when we do not feel we have enough or are worried about shortage, giving someone a face mask or a small bottle of sanitizer would be heart-warming care.
Meanwhile, as we can only worship online, I am most concerned about the elders in our midst. Can they operate the app on their mobile phones? Can they play the worship service recordings on their computers? I hope every NPAC member will take the initiative to care for the seniors we know. Ask them. Help them.
As Lent approaches, we look forward to celebrating the resurrection of Christ. In adversity, let us turn our eyes upon Jesus. May our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King bless you and keep you always!
Your Pastor
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