This time last year, many exciting in-person and on-site events were happening at East Bethlehem Lutheran Church and in our work as Missionary at Large.
- the Triune God willed, appointed and worked twenty-eight (28) baptisms at East Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Twenty-five (25) of those baptisms were children and three (3) were adults
- East Bethlehem celebrated its 145th Anniversary
- ekklesias were growing and meeting in homes
- in partnership with Good Life ministries (Pastor Tom Fisher), multiple on-site worship services were meeting in residential and assisted living facilities
As 2020 started, many of the “plans of men” were coming to fruition … and then came COVID 19.
But the Lord is not unaware of the events of this world nor do they hinder the Gospel. The gates of Hell, much less COVID, may come against the Church but they will not prevail. The Lord has his sacred and mysterious way of turning all things around on the devil. In looking over last year’s list of “prayers and plans for 2020”, I noted that one of the ministry objectives was …
“… to develop an online virtual resource called the “eXPlain it” portal. This resource would help individuals understand the person and work of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in all of the Scriptures.”
Last January, we didn’t know about the coming COVID crisis or the ensuing stay at home orders and social distancing mandates. However, the Lord knew and He prepared His Church throughout the world and gave to Her all gifts needed.
Virtual Ekklesias and Digital Resources
By the Lord’s grace and the Spirit’s gifts, East Bethlehem and the Metro Detroit ekklesias were able to transition quickly to “virtual” gatherings around the Word of God. The Gospel was not slowed or even “paused”. Here is a list of some of the virtual ekklesias the Lord established during COVID:
- Wednesday and Sunday Services of the Word hosted via ZOOM
- daily “Café ekklesias” for prayer and encouragement
- virtual study of the Psalms and the Lutheran Confessions
- virtual teen ekklesia (“tekklesia”)
- virtual women’s Bible study hosted by Elise Arndt
In addition to the virtual ekklesias, I also created a new media section for the ministry, developed the “eXPlain it” portal, created and launched a number of virtual courses, started a podcast and, this month, I launched a new daily vlog called “Friends and Daggers”.
“Friends and Daggers” Daily Videos and Sunday Vlogcasts
As we started 2021, I wanted to create some way to offer a Christ centered, consistent, and convenient digital deliverable (daily email) that would help you, your family and friends hear the Word of God and use it to comfort your souls and fight the devil.
“Friends and Daggers” is daily vlog (email subscription) that delivers short videos (3-5 min.) directly to your inbox every Monday through Saturday. In each video I …
- introduce you to “friends”, small portions of the Scriptures that comfort, console and never fail or forsake
- give you a “dagger” (the sword of the Spirit) that will help you fight against the Devil, the world and the sinful flesh
- remind you that the person and work of Jesus, His Word, and all of His promises remain the same yesterday, today and forever
On Sundays I deliver a longer video highlighting the Scripture readings for the Lord’s Day. The Sunday post will also have an Old and New Testament reading schedule for each day of the Church Year.
Faye and I continue to go “by faith” and thank God for His provision supplied by you. Thank you again for your generous support, encouragement, prayers and many kindnesses.
We belong to Christ and commend all into His hands.
Pastor Paul Arndt
Missionary at Large deployed through East Bethlehem Lutheran Church