COVID-19 Update from Pastor Lou

Blessings Family,

I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you and your family during these uncertain and rapidly changing times. Over the last week our lives have radically changed and we have been forced to embrace the new normal of social distancing. Truth be told, social distancing isn’t the best choice of words. Let’s remain socially connected while remaining physically distant.  If we take this approach, then our fellowship and engaging doesn’t have to end. We can and will remain connected online through social media platforms, conference calling and online meeting platforms like Zoom. In this email I will highlight several ways to remain connected as the Abounding Grace Family. Please read this entire email.

But first a word of thanksgiving. I want to thank each and everyone of you who joined us last Sunday for our first Facebook Live worship service. While a group of us met at PS/MS34 for our weekly worship experience, many of you were able to participate from the comfort of your home and for that I am extremely blessed and grateful. As a pastor I have committed myself to protecting, feeding and caring for our local church no matter what we face during these trying times. Thank you all for remaining connected to God and each other as we are unable to meet in person during this quarantine.

Due to the closure of NYC public schools and limitations on social gatherings, we will once again livestream our Sunday service. Please join us on Facebook at 11:00 A.M for a powerful worship experience. Now is a good time to personally invite your family, friends and neighbors to tune in as well. Join me in SHARING GRACE and the GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST. Here’s the link: facebook.com/agminnyc.

During this difficult time when people are experiencing a wide range of emotions and feelings. It is important to encourage each other and look to the Lord for strength, peace and wisdom. Here are a few ways we plan to stay CONNECTED and ENCOURAGED.

“FACE YOUR FEARS. DEFEAT YOUR DISTRACTIONS. FEED YOUR FAITH.” 
– Dr. David Ireland at AGM’s 27/37 Anniversary

• PRAY.  Now more than ever we must pray. Over the last few years we have deepened our commitment to prayer through Hour of Power prayer gatherings. These gatherings in addition to our daily Prayer Connect conference call have been instrumental in providing a prayer covering over our local assembly, city, nation and world.Join us Monday – Friday at 6AM for Prayer Connect. We have updated our Prayer Connect provider and have a new number: 646-787-0157; CODE: 267555. A very important note: You will not be required or expected to lead a prayer segment if you join the call. You can simply call in, mute your phone, listen in and silently come in agreement. Don’t miss these wonderful opportunities to connect to Christ and each other.
• READ.  Start a Bible Reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app.
  • Download the app and join the 10-day Faith over Fear devotional by Lisa Stilwell.
  • Email info@agminnyc.org if you are interested in doing a Bible plan with me. Simply write, “Count me in for PL’s Bible Reading.”

• GIVE. While we are not meeting in person it is important to remember that the costs of ministry remain. We have been blessed by your generosity over the years and ask that you continue to give during these trying times. By God’s grace this coronavirus will not last forever. However, we all want a place to gather when this storm passes.
  • If you are able to give, please continue to tithe and give online. As a church we have a couple of online giving options for your convenience.
    • Paypal
    • The AGM Church app
  • Some of you may be able to give above and beyond your normal giving and I humbly ask that you prayerfully do so. My hope and prayer is that we will emerge from our quarantine healthier and stronger in every area of ministry. Your faithful support is a vital part of growing our ability to do online ministry more effectively.

• WORSHIP.  Join us for our weekly services on Sunday at 11am and Wednesday at 7pm.
  • Our Midweek service is also moving online so we may use Facebook live or Zoom. Sign up for a free account at zoom.us. We will let you know by email and social media where you can connect to this Wednesday’s Midweek service.
  • Also, our sisters, Natalie Rizzo and Elsa Tabaee, have created a playlist titled “Faith > Fear”.  You can access it on Apple Music and Spotify.  Check the link below. We pray that this playlist will inspire you and build your faith as you face your fear, worry and anxiety and lay them at the feet of Jesus. In exchange receive the love, joy, peace and comfort of our Heavenly Father. God bless you and your family.

I love you all and miss you very much. I look forward to the day we can gather as a body in the same room, but until then we will honor and respect the need to keep our physical distance as we pray and wait for COVID-19 to come under control. In the meanwhile be encouraged, God is with us.

James 1:2-5 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

God bless you all.

Bendiciones,

Pastor Louis Carlo
Lead Pastor