Dear friends
I am saddened to write to you and let you know that for the near future we will not be singing together as a congregation on Sundays.
Why? Simply, the SA Department of Health has issued a fact sheet for churches that instructs us to “Avoid singing together as a congregation.” (I have attached the fact sheet to this letter.) This may change, but until it does we won’t be singing together as a congregation.
While this obviously will be a disappointment to many – music, and sung praise is something we love and are blessed by – we need to remember that praising God is so much more than just singing. We will praise him in word. We will praise him in prayer. We will praise him in our lives as we live in obedience to his word, bringing him honour and reflecting his glory. Hebrews 13 captures it brilliantly – “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13.15-16 NIV11)
You may be wondering whether we will have any music in our Sunday gatherings? Yes, although it will be performance based, and so somewhat scaled back. I hope to chat to our musicians about what they could offer and also draw on some of the resources of the wider Trinity Network. We can also sing in our homes, in our cars, on the beach. There is a wonderful resource of Christian music that you can access online – I have been blessed by the ministry of Sovereign Grace Music.
On a more positive note, I would love to thanks all who have come to our two congregational meetings over the last two Sundays. Thanks for the gracious and loving way you have cared for one another by putting up with all the changes made necessary by COVID. Also, I have been wonderfully blessed by being together and have been reminded why God wants us to gather together (Heb 10.25). If you have yet to join with us can I encourage you to come along this Sunday? If you have questions or concerns you’d like to chat about, please do call me or send me an email. I’d love to address your concerns.
Attachment: COVID Guidleines for Churches
Cameron Munro
Pastor | Trinity Church Brighton
0432 578 460 | cameron.munro@trinity.church | Day Off Fridays