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DR. TOBEY MONTGOMERY
4/5/2020 - OAKLAND CALIFORNIA My Dear Friends, I am profoundly grateful to our Heavenly Father for His Faithfulness, His Mercy, His Grace, and you, His People. Your selfless service, passionate prayers, incredible generosity, and amazing resilience is truly amazing. I thank The Lord for you! Before I update you on some ministry items, I want to share |
with you encouragement from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In Mark 5, Jairus has asked the Lord to come and heal his little girl. On the way to Jairus’ home, a woman who had been suffering for twelve years was healed as she touched the “tassel on the Prayer Shawl” of our Savior. Following that miracle, the prophetic implications of which I share with you last Sunday, people came to tell Jairus that it was too late, his daughter had died. At that moment, Jesus turned to Jairus and said, “Don’t yield to your fear. All you need to do is keep on believing.”
My friends, Faith and Fear, are decision words. We have a choice as to whether we will trust The Lord in our darkest moments or whether we will be governed by the Fear that those moments bring. Over three hundred times in the Bible, we are told not to be afraid. In telling us not to fear, God is not suggesting that there are not realities which are frightening, He is just letting us know that there is a greater reality at work: His reality!
My friends, Faith and Fear, are decision words. We have a choice as to whether we will trust The Lord in our darkest moments or whether we will be governed by the Fear that those moments bring. Over three hundred times in the Bible, we are told not to be afraid. In telling us not to fear, God is not suggesting that there are not realities which are frightening, He is just letting us know that there is a greater reality at work: His reality!
Pastor Tobey | 5/10/2020
Dear Friends,
As you certainly know by now, I believe that we are living through a prophetic moment; one in which The Lord is moving in the Earth! In spite of nature, the Adversary, and human error, our Lord is awakening His Church and revealing His heart for the generations. We must pursue Him, press into Him, Rise up in His life-giving anointing, and Declare His Word into the lives of our children and grandchildren.
With that in mind, this morning we are celebrating one of the great holidays that remind us of the nobility of the giving and sustaining of life: Mother’s Day. May this be a blessed celebration, Ladies! We are so thankful for you. Please allow me a moment to remind you of a woman, a mom, who pressed in and pursued the favor of The Lord for her children:
Matthew 20:20-21 NLT - Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
Now my friends, this is a BOLD request; the type of lavish favor that really only a MOM would dare to seek for her children. But after all, our Lord DID ask her specifically: “What is your request?” And she told Him. This is the type of BOLDNESS the Scriptures require of us (Hebrews 4:16). It is NOT disrespectful to make BOLD requests of God; in fact, authentically opening your heart to the scrutiny of the Lord is one of the absolute necessities of WORSHIP. It is, however, quite DISRESPECTFUL to try to make our prayers more eloquent than heartfelt, more for the hearers on earth than the One who is listening in Heaven, or more for a box to be checked than an activity of Grace.
I do not believe this Mom was acting in self-indulgence because the Lord does not rebuke her for it, but, as the text continues, He does enlighten her and her sons to His humility, character, and sacrifice that will likewise be required of them to “drink from his cup (Matthew 20:22-28).” Therefore, it is important to note that The Lord did NOT grant her request directly as she asked it to be. God NEVER grants something outside of His will…NEVER; and He never does just ONE thing. He is always working on a multitude of levels dealing with things, persons, and situations. Your request may be releasing things in the Spirit that need to be conveyed, lessons that must be learned, attitudes that must be adjusted. Oh Beloved, the goal of BOLD INTERCESSION is far more than our request being granted, the GOAL OF BOLD INTERCESSION is the REVELATION OF CHRIST and the furtherance of His Purposes in the earth!
Therefore, My Friends, let us learn the lesson of this mom. If I had a “Word from the Lord” for you today, whether you are a man or a woman, a parent of biological children or one with spiritual offspring, be encouraged in this: PRAY BOLDLY FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. Pray with Power, Pray with Faith, don’t be shy, don’t be timid, but COME BOLDLY BEFORE THE THRONE OF GRACE and answer the question of the Lord for the generations: “What is your request?” The more you engage Him in this manner, the more often your bold requests will become a prophetic declaration of the Will of the Lord into your life, your family, and this entire generation.
Pastor Tobey Montgomery
As you certainly know by now, I believe that we are living through a prophetic moment; one in which The Lord is moving in the Earth! In spite of nature, the Adversary, and human error, our Lord is awakening His Church and revealing His heart for the generations. We must pursue Him, press into Him, Rise up in His life-giving anointing, and Declare His Word into the lives of our children and grandchildren.
With that in mind, this morning we are celebrating one of the great holidays that remind us of the nobility of the giving and sustaining of life: Mother’s Day. May this be a blessed celebration, Ladies! We are so thankful for you. Please allow me a moment to remind you of a woman, a mom, who pressed in and pursued the favor of The Lord for her children:
Matthew 20:20-21 NLT - Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
Now my friends, this is a BOLD request; the type of lavish favor that really only a MOM would dare to seek for her children. But after all, our Lord DID ask her specifically: “What is your request?” And she told Him. This is the type of BOLDNESS the Scriptures require of us (Hebrews 4:16). It is NOT disrespectful to make BOLD requests of God; in fact, authentically opening your heart to the scrutiny of the Lord is one of the absolute necessities of WORSHIP. It is, however, quite DISRESPECTFUL to try to make our prayers more eloquent than heartfelt, more for the hearers on earth than the One who is listening in Heaven, or more for a box to be checked than an activity of Grace.
I do not believe this Mom was acting in self-indulgence because the Lord does not rebuke her for it, but, as the text continues, He does enlighten her and her sons to His humility, character, and sacrifice that will likewise be required of them to “drink from his cup (Matthew 20:22-28).” Therefore, it is important to note that The Lord did NOT grant her request directly as she asked it to be. God NEVER grants something outside of His will…NEVER; and He never does just ONE thing. He is always working on a multitude of levels dealing with things, persons, and situations. Your request may be releasing things in the Spirit that need to be conveyed, lessons that must be learned, attitudes that must be adjusted. Oh Beloved, the goal of BOLD INTERCESSION is far more than our request being granted, the GOAL OF BOLD INTERCESSION is the REVELATION OF CHRIST and the furtherance of His Purposes in the earth!
Therefore, My Friends, let us learn the lesson of this mom. If I had a “Word from the Lord” for you today, whether you are a man or a woman, a parent of biological children or one with spiritual offspring, be encouraged in this: PRAY BOLDLY FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. Pray with Power, Pray with Faith, don’t be shy, don’t be timid, but COME BOLDLY BEFORE THE THRONE OF GRACE and answer the question of the Lord for the generations: “What is your request?” The more you engage Him in this manner, the more often your bold requests will become a prophetic declaration of the Will of the Lord into your life, your family, and this entire generation.
Pastor Tobey Montgomery
April 30, 2020
My Dear Friends,
Thank you for your faithfulness, diligence, encouragement, generosity, and compassion. You consistently bless The Body of Christ and our communities with the hope and peace that comes from being the Children of God. I am deeply grateful for each of you and I am praying for the blessings of the Risen Savior and the Power of His Kingdom to be richly poured into your lives.
As I mentioned on Sunday, this is a prophetic moment; one in which The Lord is moving in the Earth! In spite of this virus, in spite of the near-collapse of the global economy, regardless of the difficulties of the day and the frightful shadows of the night, our Lord is moving and we must pursue Him, press into Him, and Rise up to His appointed purpose for our lives, and that of our offspring.
Please allow me to share a thought with you from The Gospel of Mark, chapter six. Our Lord Jesus had just finished ministering to a huge crowd of people. It was over five thousand men, so the total was much larger than that. It was at this moment that the disciples came to Christ to encourage him to dismiss the people because there was no food for them to eat. At that moment, Jesus said “You give them something to eat (Mark 6:37 NIV84).” Immediately, the disciples began to describe all the reasons that they could not fulfill the Lord’s command: it was remote, it was costly, they did not have enough to give the entire crowd. It is then that the Lord says something that I desire you to take to heart. He then said in Mark 6:38, “How many loaves do you have?”
My friends, the Lord never asks for what we DON’T have, He asks for what you DO have. We are always so focused on our lack, but the Lord is focused on our possibilities. How often do we talk ourselves into not doing what the Lord requires of us because we are so aware of our own lack that we cannot find His multiplying grace? “If only I could sing, then I would worship.” “If only I were wealthy, then I could be generous.” “If only I knew how to preach, then I would share the Word with my neighbors.” This is the language of lack, because lack is a mindset that says, “if only I had what I do not have, then I would be valuable.”
Not true, you are valuable no matter what you have or even what you do. But, blessing comes not when you focus on your lack, but when you give whatever you have to Jesus. Because He will take whatever you offer Him, large or small, and bless it, multiply it, use it to strengthen others and glorify His name, and even leave you more than what you gave away in the first place.
Please don’t say, “if only we could be in The Cathedral, then…,” or “If only we could not be sheltered-in-place, then…” Oh dear ones, The Lord only wants what you have, share it with Him, and see if He won’t bless you beyond your imagination’s ability to consider (Ephesians 3:20).
To that end, The ministry continues to expand and we now have over 41 online opportunities for you to connect, grow in faith, receive prayer, be encouraged and walk in peace and hope. On the following pages please find the daily ministry opportunities within our church community. Our Redeemer lives, His Presence is Near, His Voice is Mighty, and He is not asking for what you do not have, but He is willing to bless and multiply what you do have.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
My Dear Friends,
Thank you for your faithfulness, diligence, encouragement, generosity, and compassion. You consistently bless The Body of Christ and our communities with the hope and peace that comes from being the Children of God. I am deeply grateful for each of you and I am praying for the blessings of the Risen Savior and the Power of His Kingdom to be richly poured into your lives.
As I mentioned on Sunday, this is a prophetic moment; one in which The Lord is moving in the Earth! In spite of this virus, in spite of the near-collapse of the global economy, regardless of the difficulties of the day and the frightful shadows of the night, our Lord is moving and we must pursue Him, press into Him, and Rise up to His appointed purpose for our lives, and that of our offspring.
Please allow me to share a thought with you from The Gospel of Mark, chapter six. Our Lord Jesus had just finished ministering to a huge crowd of people. It was over five thousand men, so the total was much larger than that. It was at this moment that the disciples came to Christ to encourage him to dismiss the people because there was no food for them to eat. At that moment, Jesus said “You give them something to eat (Mark 6:37 NIV84).” Immediately, the disciples began to describe all the reasons that they could not fulfill the Lord’s command: it was remote, it was costly, they did not have enough to give the entire crowd. It is then that the Lord says something that I desire you to take to heart. He then said in Mark 6:38, “How many loaves do you have?”
My friends, the Lord never asks for what we DON’T have, He asks for what you DO have. We are always so focused on our lack, but the Lord is focused on our possibilities. How often do we talk ourselves into not doing what the Lord requires of us because we are so aware of our own lack that we cannot find His multiplying grace? “If only I could sing, then I would worship.” “If only I were wealthy, then I could be generous.” “If only I knew how to preach, then I would share the Word with my neighbors.” This is the language of lack, because lack is a mindset that says, “if only I had what I do not have, then I would be valuable.”
Not true, you are valuable no matter what you have or even what you do. But, blessing comes not when you focus on your lack, but when you give whatever you have to Jesus. Because He will take whatever you offer Him, large or small, and bless it, multiply it, use it to strengthen others and glorify His name, and even leave you more than what you gave away in the first place.
Please don’t say, “if only we could be in The Cathedral, then…,” or “If only we could not be sheltered-in-place, then…” Oh dear ones, The Lord only wants what you have, share it with Him, and see if He won’t bless you beyond your imagination’s ability to consider (Ephesians 3:20).
To that end, The ministry continues to expand and we now have over 41 online opportunities for you to connect, grow in faith, receive prayer, be encouraged and walk in peace and hope. On the following pages please find the daily ministry opportunities within our church community. Our Redeemer lives, His Presence is Near, His Voice is Mighty, and He is not asking for what you do not have, but He is willing to bless and multiply what you do have.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
COVID-19 UPDATE AND RESOURCES | APRIL 16, 2020
April 16, 2020
My Dear Friends,
When I think about you, I have some understanding of what the Apostle Paul must have felt when he told the Philippian Believers: “Whenever you cross my mind, I thank my God for you and for the gift of knowing you. (Philippians 1:3 VOICE).” To serve the Lord in any capacity is an incredible honor, but to be allowed to care for His People is a double-honor for which I am very undeserving, but extremely grateful. Thank you for your faithful and prayerful support of the ministry, even in times of great uncertainty.
I want to remind you again, as I have in nearly every letter to you: Don’t be afraid. Fear and Faith cannot inhabit the same place; one will leave. Remember who you are and to whom you belong. The ministry is an activity and faith and hope. Faith is “to trust” and Hope is “to expect.” In order for us to foster faith and hope in the lives of others, we must walk in it ourselves. So, my encouragement for each of you is to “build yourself up” by engaging in God’s Word and practicing His Presence through prayer and worship.
As we learn to live in this grace, we can then extend that grace to others. Consider with me the story of Jesus and the Man with Leprosy in Luke 5:
Luke 5:12-13 NIV - “While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
The Lord could have simply spoken a word, stretched out His hand, or through any number of means proclaimed healing for this man with leprosy. Instead, He chose to “touch the man,” which is something no one would normally do for fear of being infected or becoming ceremonially unclean. In so doing, our Redeemer was demonstrating so much. Of course, His power over sickness, disease, and sin; but also His willingness to touch the untouchable and reach the unreachable. Our Lord was not just healing the physical body, but he was undoing the isolation, restoring into community, and embracing the soul. Jesus did not just come to forgive our sin, but to restore our Human worth and dignity as He releases us into our tomorrows with purpose and hope.
Should we not be doing the same, especially now that our friends, neighbors, and family are “sheltered in place” and needing the power of human touch and the wholeness of Divine willingness? Of course, we may not be able to physically touch our neighbor, but that should not stop us from reaching out to them. How many within our community are not just suffering from fear, but also the profound isolation that this season is producing? Let us, the Body of Christ, be like our Master. Let us say, “I am willing” to reach out through a card, a letter, a text, a phone call, an email, or social media. I refuse to allow my brothers and sisters, friends and family, to live in isolation. I will, as my Savior is doing, speak words of life, offer prayers of restoration, and see that human dignity and community is restored.
As the old questions asks, “What Would Jesus Do?” I think we know the answer.
To that end, The ministry continues to expand and on the following pages please find the daily opportunities for you to connect, grow, and serve within our church community. Our Redeemer lives, He is moving in the earth, and He is willing to touch our lives.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
My Dear Friends,
When I think about you, I have some understanding of what the Apostle Paul must have felt when he told the Philippian Believers: “Whenever you cross my mind, I thank my God for you and for the gift of knowing you. (Philippians 1:3 VOICE).” To serve the Lord in any capacity is an incredible honor, but to be allowed to care for His People is a double-honor for which I am very undeserving, but extremely grateful. Thank you for your faithful and prayerful support of the ministry, even in times of great uncertainty.
I want to remind you again, as I have in nearly every letter to you: Don’t be afraid. Fear and Faith cannot inhabit the same place; one will leave. Remember who you are and to whom you belong. The ministry is an activity and faith and hope. Faith is “to trust” and Hope is “to expect.” In order for us to foster faith and hope in the lives of others, we must walk in it ourselves. So, my encouragement for each of you is to “build yourself up” by engaging in God’s Word and practicing His Presence through prayer and worship.
As we learn to live in this grace, we can then extend that grace to others. Consider with me the story of Jesus and the Man with Leprosy in Luke 5:
Luke 5:12-13 NIV - “While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
The Lord could have simply spoken a word, stretched out His hand, or through any number of means proclaimed healing for this man with leprosy. Instead, He chose to “touch the man,” which is something no one would normally do for fear of being infected or becoming ceremonially unclean. In so doing, our Redeemer was demonstrating so much. Of course, His power over sickness, disease, and sin; but also His willingness to touch the untouchable and reach the unreachable. Our Lord was not just healing the physical body, but he was undoing the isolation, restoring into community, and embracing the soul. Jesus did not just come to forgive our sin, but to restore our Human worth and dignity as He releases us into our tomorrows with purpose and hope.
Should we not be doing the same, especially now that our friends, neighbors, and family are “sheltered in place” and needing the power of human touch and the wholeness of Divine willingness? Of course, we may not be able to physically touch our neighbor, but that should not stop us from reaching out to them. How many within our community are not just suffering from fear, but also the profound isolation that this season is producing? Let us, the Body of Christ, be like our Master. Let us say, “I am willing” to reach out through a card, a letter, a text, a phone call, an email, or social media. I refuse to allow my brothers and sisters, friends and family, to live in isolation. I will, as my Savior is doing, speak words of life, offer prayers of restoration, and see that human dignity and community is restored.
As the old questions asks, “What Would Jesus Do?” I think we know the answer.
To that end, The ministry continues to expand and on the following pages please find the daily opportunities for you to connect, grow, and serve within our church community. Our Redeemer lives, He is moving in the earth, and He is willing to touch our lives.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
Covid-19 update and resources | April 11, 2020
My Dear Friends,
Our Redeemer Lives! Our Redeemer Saves! Our Redeemer Heals! Our Redeemer Loves Us!
Don’t be afraid. Fear and Faith cannot inhabit the same place; one will leave. Remember who you are and to whom you belong. In a conversation with Nicodemus, our Lord self-defined His role and mission to humanity. He said, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16 NKJV).” It is not His will that we “perish,” be wasted, ruined, destroyed, or lacking the fulfillment of Divine promise and purpose.
Christ is our Redeemer, and mercy and grace are His desire for us. To redeem means that He has come to rescue us, restore us to the fullness of God’s intention for humanity, and release us into the fullness of purpose. None of these things are hindered by a virus or humanity's response to it. Our Redeemer is near to rescue you, to restore and heal you, and to release you to the extension of His Kingdom.
So even as we are limited, he is infinite. Even though we grieve the loss of so many things emotionally, financially, and certainly physically; we do not “grieve as those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)!” Our Redeemer lives and He loves you. Open your hearts to His heart, open your eyes to His Word, and open your hands to reach out to others through cards, letters, texts, calls, social media, every possible way that allows you to be His hand extended to the isolated, lonely, ill, and afraid. Bring the redemption of the Redeemer to your family, friends, and neighbors!
The ministry is expanding and on the following pages please find the daily opportunities for you to connect, grow, and serve within our church community. Our Redeemer lives and He is moving in the earth.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
John 3:16-17 AMPC – For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
Our Redeemer Lives! Our Redeemer Saves! Our Redeemer Heals! Our Redeemer Loves Us!
Don’t be afraid. Fear and Faith cannot inhabit the same place; one will leave. Remember who you are and to whom you belong. In a conversation with Nicodemus, our Lord self-defined His role and mission to humanity. He said, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16 NKJV).” It is not His will that we “perish,” be wasted, ruined, destroyed, or lacking the fulfillment of Divine promise and purpose.
Christ is our Redeemer, and mercy and grace are His desire for us. To redeem means that He has come to rescue us, restore us to the fullness of God’s intention for humanity, and release us into the fullness of purpose. None of these things are hindered by a virus or humanity's response to it. Our Redeemer is near to rescue you, to restore and heal you, and to release you to the extension of His Kingdom.
So even as we are limited, he is infinite. Even though we grieve the loss of so many things emotionally, financially, and certainly physically; we do not “grieve as those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)!” Our Redeemer lives and He loves you. Open your hearts to His heart, open your eyes to His Word, and open your hands to reach out to others through cards, letters, texts, calls, social media, every possible way that allows you to be His hand extended to the isolated, lonely, ill, and afraid. Bring the redemption of the Redeemer to your family, friends, and neighbors!
The ministry is expanding and on the following pages please find the daily opportunities for you to connect, grow, and serve within our church community. Our Redeemer lives and He is moving in the earth.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
John 3:16-17 AMPC – For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
"WE BELIEVE" - Pastor Tobey | 4/9/2020
Be encouraged - Pastor Tobey
4/9/2020
4/9/2020
April 5, 2020
My Dear Friends,
I am profoundly grateful to our Heavenly Father for His Faithfulness, His Mercy, His Grace, and you, His People. Your selfless service, passionate prayers, incredible generosity, and amazing resilience is truly amazing. I thank The Lord for you!
Before I update you on some ministry items, I want to share with you encouragement from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In Mark 5, Jairus has asked the Lord to come and heal his little girl. On the way to Jairus’ home, a woman who had been suffering for twelve years was healed as she touched the “tassel on the Prayer Shawl” of our Savior. Following that miracle, the prophetic implications of which I share with you last Sunday, people came to tell Jairus that it was too late, his daughter had died. At that moment, Jesus turned to Jairus and said, “Don’t yield to your fear. All you need to do is keep on believing.”
My friends, Faith and Fear, are decision words. We have a choice as to whether we will trust The Lord in our darkest moments or whether we will be governed by the Fear that those moments bring. Over three hundred times in the Bible, we are told not to be afraid. In telling us not to fear, God is not suggesting that there are not realities which are frightening, He is just letting us know that there is a greater reality at work: His reality!
As Jesus arrived at Jairus’ home, before he went into the inner room where the lifeless body of the little girl lay, He drove fear and panic and despair out of the house (Mark 5:38-40). Christ does not tolerate panic in His people, because Fear and Faith cannot live in the same house! My brothers and sisters, invite the Lord into all the places of your life, your home, your mind, and your emotions. Let His Perfect Peace keep you, let His rich Presence empower you, and let His Perfect Love drive out all fear (1 John 4:18)!
With this truth in our hearts, the following ministries are expanding:
My Friends, we CHOOSE Faith over Fear, not because the circumstances of our world are not frightening, but because The Lord is our Great Shepherd, full of love and compassion.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
Luke 8:50 TPT – When Jesus heard this, he said, “Jairus, don’t yield to your fear. Have faith in me and she will live again.”
My Dear Friends,
I am profoundly grateful to our Heavenly Father for His Faithfulness, His Mercy, His Grace, and you, His People. Your selfless service, passionate prayers, incredible generosity, and amazing resilience is truly amazing. I thank The Lord for you!
Before I update you on some ministry items, I want to share with you encouragement from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In Mark 5, Jairus has asked the Lord to come and heal his little girl. On the way to Jairus’ home, a woman who had been suffering for twelve years was healed as she touched the “tassel on the Prayer Shawl” of our Savior. Following that miracle, the prophetic implications of which I share with you last Sunday, people came to tell Jairus that it was too late, his daughter had died. At that moment, Jesus turned to Jairus and said, “Don’t yield to your fear. All you need to do is keep on believing.”
My friends, Faith and Fear, are decision words. We have a choice as to whether we will trust The Lord in our darkest moments or whether we will be governed by the Fear that those moments bring. Over three hundred times in the Bible, we are told not to be afraid. In telling us not to fear, God is not suggesting that there are not realities which are frightening, He is just letting us know that there is a greater reality at work: His reality!
As Jesus arrived at Jairus’ home, before he went into the inner room where the lifeless body of the little girl lay, He drove fear and panic and despair out of the house (Mark 5:38-40). Christ does not tolerate panic in His people, because Fear and Faith cannot live in the same house! My brothers and sisters, invite the Lord into all the places of your life, your home, your mind, and your emotions. Let His Perfect Peace keep you, let His rich Presence empower you, and let His Perfect Love drive out all fear (1 John 4:18)!
With this truth in our hearts, the following ministries are expanding:
- PRAYER: We have Prayer Meetings By Zoom on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Log onto www.zoom.us, enter the meeting ID number of 510 533 8300, and the passcode: 707070. Also, Pastor Dennis Adams is still leading regular prayer meetings every night. You can join him at facebook.com/pastordennisadams; and facebook.com/sfoutpost.
- SUNDAY SERVICES: Our Sunday Worship Services will now only be experienced via live-streaming, at 11:00 AM each Sunday. We will be expanding this as well. Additionally, our other campuses in San Francisco, the Los Angeles area, and Stockton are all live online every Sunday morning and offering Bible Studies and Devotionals throughout the week. Carrie Ruelas is offering daily children’s ministry opportunities and Brother Bruce Dennis is leading the men’s Bible Study via Zoom on Tuesday nights. Should you need any assistance with connecting online in any venue, please call Richard Swanson at 510.774.5693. As for giving, you can do that online as well, either through our website or the mobile app (available on the app store); you can text “ceca300” to 77977, or gifts may be mailed to the church office.
- PASTORAL CARE: For the health and well-being of our friends and neighbors, we will maintain compliance at all times with the orders of our county. We do not recommend that anyone leave their home, however, when you need individual prayer, counsel, and scriptural support from one of our pastors, ministers, or counselors, the following opportunities and resources are available:
- Our Keeping In Touch Team will be contacting each member of our congregation weekly to assess needs and receive prayer requests.
- By phone, text, or visit (urgencies only) during this season, please contact Rev. Fears at 510.774.7765 or Rev. Dennis at 510.914.2082 who will coordinate care.
- Should you need to speak with someone regarding anxiety, depression, or other emotional health issues, Mrs. Rebekka Williams is available at 510.485.7682. Likewise, should you desire, she will begin to take 15-minute Zoom appointments.
- PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE: For those individuals and families most affected by the shelter-in-place restrictions:
- Should you need updated information about health and safety notices and services; assistance with essential repairs (safety, plumbing, heating, electrical) on your home; or questions about security and safety, please contact Dr. Abraham or Sister Patricia Ruelas, or Mr. and Mrs. Isaac & Carrie Ruelas at 510.502.9294.
- If your supply of groceries is low, or need transportation to a Health Care Provider, our young men, the Timothy Ministry Team, are available to help. Please contact Mr. Aaron Aguilar at 510.485.7686.
My Friends, we CHOOSE Faith over Fear, not because the circumstances of our world are not frightening, but because The Lord is our Great Shepherd, full of love and compassion.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
Luke 8:50 TPT – When Jesus heard this, he said, “Jairus, don’t yield to your fear. Have faith in me and she will live again.”
"Don't Yield To Fear"
"Don't Yield To Fear" Mark 5:36
Dr. Tobey Montgomery
4/3/2020 - Oakland California
Dr. Tobey Montgomery
4/3/2020 - Oakland California
god is good & he is with us
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March 25, 2020
My Dear Friends, The Lord is with us; in Him, we place our trust and through Him, we have the joyful expectancy of Hope. He has never forsaken us, and His love will never abandon us. Even amid such global uncertainty, anxiety, and pain brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we know that even now our God is moving in the midst of the earth and on behalf of His People. The Word of God tells us that, “we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose (Romans 8:28 TPT).” |
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God is good; and even now He is working, moving, touching, providing and healing. He chose that you would live in this hour upon the earth. He destined that we would be a part of His wonderful Bride during this unique season. He has Divine purpose in us serving one another, our communities, and even the world right now. You are not a cosmic accident or a biological mishap, the Sovereign of the Universe, in this Moment, wants to demonstrate His great power and tender grace…through you and I, His People! By His Spirit, we will be up to this task and anointed to this moment. It is not too big for our God, and therefore, it is not too much for us because “greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world (1 John 4:4 NKJV).”
Therefore, school closings (now until May 1), shelter-in-place restrictions, and any other impositions placed upon us for the Health and Safety of our community will not close the Word of God, will not restrict the Spirit of God, and shall restrain the Kingdom of God. The ministry of Christ will expand in the earth, not constrict, and the Lord will help all of us to not just survive, but thrive through this moment. We TRUST Him and we EXPECT His very best for us.
With this truth in our hearts, we will continue and expand the following ministries:
My Friends, we are not afraid, our Lord will lead us through these challenging circumstances.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
Luke 8:50 TPT – When Jesus heard this, he said, “Jairus, don’t yield to your fear. Have faith in me and she will live again.”
Therefore, school closings (now until May 1), shelter-in-place restrictions, and any other impositions placed upon us for the Health and Safety of our community will not close the Word of God, will not restrict the Spirit of God, and shall restrain the Kingdom of God. The ministry of Christ will expand in the earth, not constrict, and the Lord will help all of us to not just survive, but thrive through this moment. We TRUST Him and we EXPECT His very best for us.
With this truth in our hearts, we will continue and expand the following ministries:
- PRAYER: We have been committed to a specific hour of prayer each evening for the eradication of this virus, the healing of those infected, the care of those isolated, and the wisdom, power, and Presence of our Lord to be with each of us. We are now expanding the prayer ministry very soon to include Prayer Meetings By Zoom, an online app that allows up to 100 people to be involved in videoconference prayer meetings and Bible Studies. The dates and times will be given to you in our next update. Also, Pastor Dennis Adams, our pastor at the San Francisco Church, and the Prayer Coordinator for the Church of God in California and Nevada, is leading five minutes of prayer LIVE every weekday at 7:00 PM through at facebook.com/pastordennisadams; and on Wednesdays for an hour at facebook.com/sfoutpost.
- SUNDAY SERVICES: Our Sunday Worship Services will now only be experienced via live-streaming, at 11:00 AM each Sunday. We will gather online, and the sermons will be posted to our website, mobile app, Facebook, and other outlets. Additionally, our other campuses in San Francisco, the Los Angeles area, and Stockton are all live online every Sunday morning. Further, all of the ministries are offering online devotionals, prayer, and Bible Studies. Should you need any assistance with connecting online in any venue, please call Richard Swanson at 510.774.5693. As for giving, you can do that online as well, either through our website or the mobile app (available on the app store); you can text “ceca300” to 77977, or gifts may be mailed to the church office.
- PASTORAL CARE: For the health and well-being of our friends and neighbors, we will maintain compliance at all times with the orders of our county. We do not recommend that anyone leave their home, however, when you need individual prayer, counsel, and scriptural support from one of our pastors, ministers, or counselors, the following opportunities and resources are available:
- Our Keeping In Touch Team will be contacting each member of our congregation weekly to assess needs and receive prayer requests.
- By phone, text, or visit (urgencies only) during this season, please contact Rev. Fears at 510.774.7765 or Rev. Dennis at 510.914.2082 who will coordinate care.
- Should you need to speak with someone regarding anxiety, depression, or other emotional health issues, Mrs. Rebekka Williams is available at 510.485.7682.
- PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE: For those individuals and families most affected by the shelter-in-place restrictions:
- Should you need updated information about health and safety notices and services; assistance with essential repairs (safety, plumbing, heating, electrical) on your home; or questions about security and safety, please contact Dr. Abraham or Sister Patricia Ruelas, or Mr. and Mrs. Isaac & Carrie Ruelas at 510.502.9294.
- If your supply of groceries is low, or need transportation to a Health Care Provider, our young men, the Timothy Ministry Team, are available to help. Please contact Mr. Aaron Aguilar at 510.485.7686.
My Friends, we are not afraid, our Lord will lead us through these challenging circumstances.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
Luke 8:50 TPT – When Jesus heard this, he said, “Jairus, don’t yield to your fear. Have faith in me and she will live again.”
Care and ministry in this season
Update 3/19/2020
My Friends, we are not afraid, our God is not surprised, our faith holds, and our hope is expectant. The Lord will lead us through these challenging circumstances. The Lord is with us. The Lord is good.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
My Friends, we are not afraid, our God is not surprised, our faith holds, and our hope is expectant. The Lord will lead us through these challenging circumstances. The Lord is with us. The Lord is good.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Update 3/17/2020
My Dear Friends,
I am so grateful to The Lord for each of you. Thank you for your faithfulness, generosity, and gracious flexibility amid these difficult and uncertain circumstances brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Even as our national, state, and local leaders wrestle with the best course of action to protect the health of the public, including the sweeping and unprecedented shelter-in-place restrictions imposed by seven Bay Area counties on Monday, our trust is in The LORD our Shepherd and His ability to guide us on paths of righteousness, regardless of the depth of the darkness withinthe valley.
In light of the federal and state recommendations that individuals over the age of 65, or with flu-like symptoms, are not to leave their homes nor should groups of more than ten people gather in one place; as well as the county shelter-in-place restrictions, theExecutive Team is taking these further actions for the safety of our campus community:
1. PRAYER: With great regret, the Prayer Chapel and our offices will also now need to be closed until Palm Sunday, but our access to The Father is not limited. We ask you to commit to a specific hour of prayer each evening for the eradication of this virus, the healing of those infected, the care of those isolated, and the wisdom, power, and Presence of our Lord to be with each of us.
2. SUNDAY SERVICES: Our Sunday Worship Services will now only be experienced via live-streaming, beginning at 11:00 AM this Sunday. Unfortunately, we will not be able to allow the congregation to be present within The Cathedral for the Worship Services. Therefore, we will gather online. In order to watch the service, please download our mobile app to your phone and follow the links on the home screen. Otherwise, please go to www.christiancathedral.org and click on the box,WATCH EVERY SERVICE LIVE, on the homepage. Should you need further assistance with connecting, please call Richard Swanson at 510.774.5693. As for giving, you can do that online as well, either through our website or the mobile app (available on the app store); or gifts may be mailed to the church office.
3. PASTORAL CARE: For the health and well-being of our friends and neighbors, we will maintain compliance at all times with the orders of our county. We do not recommend that anyone leave their home, however, we also recognize this is very difficult and isolating for many within our congregation and that some may need individual prayer and scriptural support from one of our pastors, ministers, or counselors. Therefore, the following opportunities and resources are being made available on an individual basis:
a. At 10:00 AM on Sunday, some of our pastors andministers will be available to briefly meet with individualswithin The Cathedral for one hour, after which, we cannot allow anyone to gather or stay.
b. If you desire to receive prayer by phone during this season, Reverend Wortham Fears and Reverend BeBe Dennis are available on their mobile phones. Reverend Fears may be reached at 510.774.7765, and Reverend Dennis is available at 510.914.2082. Further, should you need a pastoral visit to your home, Reverend Fears and Rev. Dennis will also coordinate a time with you for one of our younger pastors/ministers to visit.
c. Should you need to speak with someone regarding anxiety, depression, or any other emotional health issue, Mrs. Rebekka Williams, a licensed therapist serving our congregation, is available at 510.485.7682.
4. PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE: In addition to seeking to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of our congregation, we appreciatethat our most vulnerable friends, may need the grace of practical ministry, as well. Therefore, the following resources are being made available to those individuals and families most affected by the shelter-in-place restrictions (Senior Saints and those who may have been exposed to the virus and are under self-quarantine):
a. Should you need updated information about City and County health and safety notices and services; assistance with essential (safety, plumbing, heating, electrical)repairs on your home; or questions about security andsafety, please contact our Fruitvale Parish Team, Dr. Abraham and Sister Patricia Ruelas, or Mr. and Mrs. Isaac and Carrie Ruelas at 510.502.9294.
b. If you are running low on food, or need transportation to a Health Care Provider, our young men are available to help. Please utilize this limited resource with care. This Timothy Ministry Team will come to your home, receive your grocery list and funds, and pick-up the food and necessary supplies you require. They will also drive you toa Health Care Provider for essential medical treatments. To do so, please contact Mr. Aaron Aguilar at 510.485.7686.
My Friends, we are not afraid, our God is not surprised, our faith holds, and our hope is expectant. The Lord will lead us through these challenging circumstances.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
My Dear Friends,
After reviewing the statements, recommendations, and directives of the Medical, Civic, and Ecclesiastical Authorities within our nation, I want to briefly share with you the response of our Campus Community to the risk of the coronavirus (COVID-19)and other contagious illnesses, such as influenza, that are afflicting our nation and the world at this time.
1. The first, last, and continual activity in which we must engage is prayer.
Pray for those who are ill, their families, and friends. Pray for the Medical community: both those doing research on these viruses and those treating the ill. Pray for the supernatural hand of God to arrest this outbreak and bring His merciful healing to the earth. Finally, pray for peace and wisdom for government officials, business leaders, and the leadership of the Body of Christ.
2. Secondly, ALL of our Sunday Worship Services will continue, and every service will also be live-streamed. Therefore, if you or members of your family have any flu-like symptoms or feel particularly susceptible to the virus, please join our services via Livestream.
To do so, you can download our mobile app to your phone and follow the links on the home screen. Otherwise, you can go online to www.christiancathedral.org. scroll to the bottom of the homepage and click on WATCH EVERY SERMON LIVE, then click the onscreen arrow. Should you need further assistance with connecting, please call Richard Swanson at 510.485.7689. As for giving, you can do that online as well, either through our website or the mobile app (available on the app store).
3. Thirdly, we are asking that everyone honor a prudent limit regarding personal physical contact during our services.
Obviously, the grace of personally greeting one another is an important part of the ministry experience within the church. However, as a precaution, we have instructed our ushers and greeters to not shake hands with individuals and we encourage you to consider a similar course of conduct. Fist pumps, elbow taps, and the old-fashioned handwave are all good alternatives during this season. J
4. Fourthly, purely as a precaution, we are postponing the following services and events:
• The Women’s Ministry Conference this week is rescheduling for October.
• The Water Baptism Service scheduled for this Friday is being postponed until a yet to be determined date.
• The Fivefold Ministry Seminar with Dr. Weston and Dr. O’Neal that was scheduled for March 27-28 has been rescheduled to May 1 and 2.
• Although we will still have a Worship Service on March 29, the Community Celebration element has been rescheduled to May 3.
Should the circumstances warrant further adjustments, we are prepared to deal with those issues regarding our schools, campus, and ministry events.
In closing, this is a very serious season and we must exercise discretion and wisdom, but please allow me to encourage you to never allow yourself to be governed by fear or panic. The child of God is granted the inheritance of peace and the blessing of a sound mind. We need the Grace, Mercy, and Power of The Lord to touch lives, and I am confident that He will do so. The words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy are ringing especially true in my spirit right now:
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
Update 3/13/20
My Dear Friends,
As I mentioned in my previous letter regarding the response of our Campus Community to the risk of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and other contagious illnesses, should the circumstances warrant further adjustments, we are prepared to deal with those issues. I am grateful to report, that as of this writing, no one on our campus: schools, church, or otherwise, has been diagnosed with the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Our Executive Team had a conference call this morning to assess the rapidly changing situation regarding this virus and the necessary steps we should take to assure the safety of our congregation, students, staff, faculty, and guests. Late this morning we were informed that, based upon the recommendations of public health officials, the Oakland Unified School District is closing the public schools within our city for three weeks. Therefore, given this change of circumstances, we are making these further precautions:
1. Continuing to seek the Wisdom, Power, and Presence of our Lord through prayer. Therefore, the Prayer Chapel will remain open for two hours each day from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
2. As mentioned in the letter yesterday, ALL of our Sunday Worship Services will continue at 10:45 AM and 5:00 PM (Iglesia Vida), with live-streaming available. If you or members of your family have any flu-like symptoms or feel particularly susceptible to the virus (especially in those in advanced years), please join our services via Livestream. The directions for viewing and giving online were set out in the previous letter.
3. In addition to the postponements announced yesterday, and with the two exceptions listed in items #1 and #2 above, we are CLOSING THE CAMPUS FROM MARCH 16 THROUGH PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 5.
• This closure includes all auxiliary ministry, schools, and academic offerings for the next three weeks: PACE, Amethod, the Hispanic Institute, and church-related meetings and ministries not taking place in The Cathedral or Faith Hall on Sunday. As of this coming Monday, all academic and non-Sunday Worship activities will resume on April 6, 2020.
• Due to the dual use of the Wycliffe building by the Academy and the church, no activities (church or otherwise) will be allowed to take place in this building until Palm Sunday. This will include Bible Studies, rehearsals, meetings, Sunday School, etc., and the nursery will be moved from PACE to the Family Room inside The Cathedral for this season.
• All campus offices will be closed next week, March 16-22. This includes the offices of The Cathedral, CECA, PACE, and the Patten Educational Foundation.
• This will allow our Maintenance Staff to do a deeper, disinfectant cleaning of the campus, followed by a Professional Cleaning Contractor specializing in decontamination from contagions. Our goal is to assure that, to the best of our ability, the campus is thoroughly prepared for the return of students and faculty on April 6.
4. As a precautionary standard, whenever you are in a public setting, please maintain a prudent limit of three to six feetregarding personal physical contact.
These precautions reflect the seriousness of the issue, and we are seeking to respond as Stewards of Grace, without fear or anxiety, but in faith-filled wisdom and profound hope. Should the circumstances warrant even further precautions, we are prepared to deal with those issues as they arise. Let us not be afraid, our Lord will lead us through these challenging circumstances.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of powerand of love and of a sound mind.
My Dear Friends,
I am so grateful to The Lord for each of you. Thank you for your faithfulness, generosity, and gracious flexibility amid these difficult and uncertain circumstances brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Even as our national, state, and local leaders wrestle with the best course of action to protect the health of the public, including the sweeping and unprecedented shelter-in-place restrictions imposed by seven Bay Area counties on Monday, our trust is in The LORD our Shepherd and His ability to guide us on paths of righteousness, regardless of the depth of the darkness withinthe valley.
In light of the federal and state recommendations that individuals over the age of 65, or with flu-like symptoms, are not to leave their homes nor should groups of more than ten people gather in one place; as well as the county shelter-in-place restrictions, theExecutive Team is taking these further actions for the safety of our campus community:
1. PRAYER: With great regret, the Prayer Chapel and our offices will also now need to be closed until Palm Sunday, but our access to The Father is not limited. We ask you to commit to a specific hour of prayer each evening for the eradication of this virus, the healing of those infected, the care of those isolated, and the wisdom, power, and Presence of our Lord to be with each of us.
2. SUNDAY SERVICES: Our Sunday Worship Services will now only be experienced via live-streaming, beginning at 11:00 AM this Sunday. Unfortunately, we will not be able to allow the congregation to be present within The Cathedral for the Worship Services. Therefore, we will gather online. In order to watch the service, please download our mobile app to your phone and follow the links on the home screen. Otherwise, please go to www.christiancathedral.org and click on the box,WATCH EVERY SERVICE LIVE, on the homepage. Should you need further assistance with connecting, please call Richard Swanson at 510.774.5693. As for giving, you can do that online as well, either through our website or the mobile app (available on the app store); or gifts may be mailed to the church office.
3. PASTORAL CARE: For the health and well-being of our friends and neighbors, we will maintain compliance at all times with the orders of our county. We do not recommend that anyone leave their home, however, we also recognize this is very difficult and isolating for many within our congregation and that some may need individual prayer and scriptural support from one of our pastors, ministers, or counselors. Therefore, the following opportunities and resources are being made available on an individual basis:
a. At 10:00 AM on Sunday, some of our pastors andministers will be available to briefly meet with individualswithin The Cathedral for one hour, after which, we cannot allow anyone to gather or stay.
b. If you desire to receive prayer by phone during this season, Reverend Wortham Fears and Reverend BeBe Dennis are available on their mobile phones. Reverend Fears may be reached at 510.774.7765, and Reverend Dennis is available at 510.914.2082. Further, should you need a pastoral visit to your home, Reverend Fears and Rev. Dennis will also coordinate a time with you for one of our younger pastors/ministers to visit.
c. Should you need to speak with someone regarding anxiety, depression, or any other emotional health issue, Mrs. Rebekka Williams, a licensed therapist serving our congregation, is available at 510.485.7682.
4. PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE: In addition to seeking to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of our congregation, we appreciatethat our most vulnerable friends, may need the grace of practical ministry, as well. Therefore, the following resources are being made available to those individuals and families most affected by the shelter-in-place restrictions (Senior Saints and those who may have been exposed to the virus and are under self-quarantine):
a. Should you need updated information about City and County health and safety notices and services; assistance with essential (safety, plumbing, heating, electrical)repairs on your home; or questions about security andsafety, please contact our Fruitvale Parish Team, Dr. Abraham and Sister Patricia Ruelas, or Mr. and Mrs. Isaac and Carrie Ruelas at 510.502.9294.
b. If you are running low on food, or need transportation to a Health Care Provider, our young men are available to help. Please utilize this limited resource with care. This Timothy Ministry Team will come to your home, receive your grocery list and funds, and pick-up the food and necessary supplies you require. They will also drive you toa Health Care Provider for essential medical treatments. To do so, please contact Mr. Aaron Aguilar at 510.485.7686.
My Friends, we are not afraid, our God is not surprised, our faith holds, and our hope is expectant. The Lord will lead us through these challenging circumstances.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
My Dear Friends,
After reviewing the statements, recommendations, and directives of the Medical, Civic, and Ecclesiastical Authorities within our nation, I want to briefly share with you the response of our Campus Community to the risk of the coronavirus (COVID-19)and other contagious illnesses, such as influenza, that are afflicting our nation and the world at this time.
1. The first, last, and continual activity in which we must engage is prayer.
Pray for those who are ill, their families, and friends. Pray for the Medical community: both those doing research on these viruses and those treating the ill. Pray for the supernatural hand of God to arrest this outbreak and bring His merciful healing to the earth. Finally, pray for peace and wisdom for government officials, business leaders, and the leadership of the Body of Christ.
2. Secondly, ALL of our Sunday Worship Services will continue, and every service will also be live-streamed. Therefore, if you or members of your family have any flu-like symptoms or feel particularly susceptible to the virus, please join our services via Livestream.
To do so, you can download our mobile app to your phone and follow the links on the home screen. Otherwise, you can go online to www.christiancathedral.org. scroll to the bottom of the homepage and click on WATCH EVERY SERMON LIVE, then click the onscreen arrow. Should you need further assistance with connecting, please call Richard Swanson at 510.485.7689. As for giving, you can do that online as well, either through our website or the mobile app (available on the app store).
3. Thirdly, we are asking that everyone honor a prudent limit regarding personal physical contact during our services.
Obviously, the grace of personally greeting one another is an important part of the ministry experience within the church. However, as a precaution, we have instructed our ushers and greeters to not shake hands with individuals and we encourage you to consider a similar course of conduct. Fist pumps, elbow taps, and the old-fashioned handwave are all good alternatives during this season. J
4. Fourthly, purely as a precaution, we are postponing the following services and events:
• The Women’s Ministry Conference this week is rescheduling for October.
• The Water Baptism Service scheduled for this Friday is being postponed until a yet to be determined date.
• The Fivefold Ministry Seminar with Dr. Weston and Dr. O’Neal that was scheduled for March 27-28 has been rescheduled to May 1 and 2.
• Although we will still have a Worship Service on March 29, the Community Celebration element has been rescheduled to May 3.
Should the circumstances warrant further adjustments, we are prepared to deal with those issues regarding our schools, campus, and ministry events.
In closing, this is a very serious season and we must exercise discretion and wisdom, but please allow me to encourage you to never allow yourself to be governed by fear or panic. The child of God is granted the inheritance of peace and the blessing of a sound mind. We need the Grace, Mercy, and Power of The Lord to touch lives, and I am confident that He will do so. The words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy are ringing especially true in my spirit right now:
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
Update 3/13/20
My Dear Friends,
As I mentioned in my previous letter regarding the response of our Campus Community to the risk of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and other contagious illnesses, should the circumstances warrant further adjustments, we are prepared to deal with those issues. I am grateful to report, that as of this writing, no one on our campus: schools, church, or otherwise, has been diagnosed with the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Our Executive Team had a conference call this morning to assess the rapidly changing situation regarding this virus and the necessary steps we should take to assure the safety of our congregation, students, staff, faculty, and guests. Late this morning we were informed that, based upon the recommendations of public health officials, the Oakland Unified School District is closing the public schools within our city for three weeks. Therefore, given this change of circumstances, we are making these further precautions:
1. Continuing to seek the Wisdom, Power, and Presence of our Lord through prayer. Therefore, the Prayer Chapel will remain open for two hours each day from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
2. As mentioned in the letter yesterday, ALL of our Sunday Worship Services will continue at 10:45 AM and 5:00 PM (Iglesia Vida), with live-streaming available. If you or members of your family have any flu-like symptoms or feel particularly susceptible to the virus (especially in those in advanced years), please join our services via Livestream. The directions for viewing and giving online were set out in the previous letter.
3. In addition to the postponements announced yesterday, and with the two exceptions listed in items #1 and #2 above, we are CLOSING THE CAMPUS FROM MARCH 16 THROUGH PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 5.
• This closure includes all auxiliary ministry, schools, and academic offerings for the next three weeks: PACE, Amethod, the Hispanic Institute, and church-related meetings and ministries not taking place in The Cathedral or Faith Hall on Sunday. As of this coming Monday, all academic and non-Sunday Worship activities will resume on April 6, 2020.
• Due to the dual use of the Wycliffe building by the Academy and the church, no activities (church or otherwise) will be allowed to take place in this building until Palm Sunday. This will include Bible Studies, rehearsals, meetings, Sunday School, etc., and the nursery will be moved from PACE to the Family Room inside The Cathedral for this season.
• All campus offices will be closed next week, March 16-22. This includes the offices of The Cathedral, CECA, PACE, and the Patten Educational Foundation.
• This will allow our Maintenance Staff to do a deeper, disinfectant cleaning of the campus, followed by a Professional Cleaning Contractor specializing in decontamination from contagions. Our goal is to assure that, to the best of our ability, the campus is thoroughly prepared for the return of students and faculty on April 6.
4. As a precautionary standard, whenever you are in a public setting, please maintain a prudent limit of three to six feetregarding personal physical contact.
These precautions reflect the seriousness of the issue, and we are seeking to respond as Stewards of Grace, without fear or anxiety, but in faith-filled wisdom and profound hope. Should the circumstances warrant even further precautions, we are prepared to deal with those issues as they arise. Let us not be afraid, our Lord will lead us through these challenging circumstances.
We are all in His Care,
Pastor Tobey
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of powerand of love and of a sound mind.
