Greetings LCC, for those of you that don’t know me, my name is Andrew Betteridge.

It has already been a difficult start to the new year for many of us.  It’s even a bit surprising to be back to online services like last year. But even in these stretching times, I am ever reminded of God’s faithfulness in carrying forth His plans here on Earth.  In my morning Bible reading I have been reading the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis.  I think his story has a lot of encouragement for each of us.  He suffered at the hands of his brothers being thrown into a well, which couldn’t have been pleasant at all, as I have seen many hand-dug wells and they are not places I would want to be thrown into.  Then, he is sold into slavery.  Things start looking up when his Egyptian master rewards his hard work, but then he is wrongly accused of misconduct and thrown into prison.  He remains faithful in doing what is right, and he is promoted in the prison to being responsible for looking after the other prisoners. God begins to highlight and hone his skills and gifts.  He has the opportunity to interpret dreams that come to pass and though he is overlooked for a time, God’s perfect timing finds him being released to interpret Pharaoh’s troubling dreams. Then he is lifted up for such a time as this; to not only guide Egypt through a time of plenty and a time of famine, but God uses Joseph, who is now the right hand person of Pharaoh, to care for those outside of Egypt, specifically his family. His father, Jacob, now called Israel, is of the lineage of Abraham, whom God had promised to make his descendants like that of the sand on the sea and the stars of the sky.  We see in this story that God turns the evil ways of man to continue to fulfill His great plan.  We see Joseph, standing steadfast in the Lord and continuing to do that which is right, even in the face of jealously, hatred, lies, and injustice.

May each of us this week rest in God’s good plans.  May we seek His face as we cry out to Him in our pains and struggles. May we acknowledge that He is God, and He is good and holy and there is none like Him.  He has a plan that is beyond us, and yet we have been given His Spirit to direct and reveal our steps.  May we rejoice that God is active and continues to move forward His holy Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth.

Let us pray…

Annoucments

I wanted to also share with you a few key announcements as well.

1. First a short update about Chad and his family. We shared a few weeks ago that his work permit was approved.  This is such an answer to prayer in the speediness of its approval.  We are also now working with him to arrange their flights to Zambia, which we are looking at the middle of February.  We look forward to updating you about the official dates when flights are booked and the plan for their settling into a home in Lusaka and what we can all do to support them in this.  Earlier this week, the preaching team was pleased to have him be part of our Zoom call, as we look at the new year ahead.  Please continue to keep Chad, Callie and their kids in your prayers as they close one chapter and open this next chapter of life.

2. Secondly, I am giving an update about the Eldership of LCC.  As many of you know the Elders of LCC are Rob Baier, Peter de Wet, Dave Hutchinson, Augustine Mulenga, myself, along with the support of our wives.  Today I am making the announcement that,

In this season of life, Peter de Wet has prayerfully chosen to step down from the eldership. This decision does not come lightly or hastily.  In this current time of life, he needs to give more attention to his work and he is not able to provide the Church the support, and attention that is required. Peter and Jenny will continue as active members of LCC.  We are very thankful for the many years that they have served the church in this manner and release them from the formal status of Elder, while acknowledging God's anointing upon them, as they continue to serve the Lord in different capacities. We ask that you encourage them in this decision and we are pleased that they will continue to call LCC their home and local church family.

Thank you for joining us today and may we continue this service together in praise and worship of our wonderful Provider, Lord, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.