Statement from Celebration Life Church re: Covid -19
July 1, 2021:
Celebration Life church is moving forward &
BC has ended the State of Emergency!
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the
presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty,
dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Our God is love. There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear.
Our God is more than able to keep our nation from falling.
Why? Because a nation is her people.
Nations are not the ground we walk upon.
Through the precious blood of Jesus, we have the strength to stand, never falling because He never fails.
WE, at Celebration Life Church, continue to move forward by His grace and under His mighty hand.
WE trust this nation will turn for righteousness’ sake.
WE will walk in His joy and lift His name in each situation.
WE have faith in that He never changes and what He has done,
He will continue to do
in and through us.
WE are His family- Knit together, by Jesus Blood and His great love!
March 7, 2021 Unity!:
From the Senior Pastor’s desk of Celebration Life Church
“Many people assume that unity equals uniformity. Uniformity is where everyone looks, walks, and acts the same. Our God is a Divine Trinity. Each separate, yet Holy joined as One. We are created in His image and yet each of us is so different. In our differences, we each magnify the very distinctions of our Father.
Many people see differences as a place of dividing that uniqueness found in each other. At times our differences open the door for the wrong kinds of division, leading into strife between people.
Many people have differing ideas on how the church should conduct itself during the current worldwide situation with Covid 19. The opinions, thoughts, and actions are many.
I would ask God’s people to have an open look at Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the wall. There was much persecution towards the people at that time. They were mocked, told that rebuilding was impossible. The people were doing their best, but things were looking worse. Many came and poured out their hearts to Nehemiah. They were in debt, under pressure, being provoked by lies, and now had the job of rebuilding with a sword in one hand and bricks in another.
There are many similarities to this situation that we face today. The church is being mocked. By the world and by some within the church. Strife and opinions are trying to rule the day rather than the wisdom of God. We must resist the urge to hear voices other than the voice of the Holy Spirit.
When the people began to build, each person went to the place in the wall where they knew what to do. They could not have rebuilt it if they had all done the same thing. Further, if they were not correctly connected to each other, they would have many individual pieces that would never become that wall.
They importance of hearing one’s piece and knowing how to put it into a structure while connected is vital to us today. What that means is that you may hear that one church or group is doing things a certain way, and another group doing something else. Then we hear these kinds of responses: ‘if they would all just do the same thing, and we need to be united in our actions’. They seem to be the reasonable conclusions.
But God is so much higher than that. His unity is born out of a united heart, rather than uniform actions. First Chronicles twelve is yet another example of unity without uniformed actions. Many gathered by the Holy Spirit and united with the soon to be king, David, and brought their skills with them. It goes on to list the differing gifts among the tribes, and that they stood together.
Ephesians chapter four also tells us that when the body of Christ is fitly joined, every joint will supply. If we are all the same kind of joint, there will be no supply. It is our differing gifts, that causes the supply to flow.
This is the time, to know where and what you are called to. Be the joint God has placed in you. Then, stay connected where He has placed you. These are some ways of being connected. It happens through valuing and honouring what God has placed in the person next to you. Lifting up those who are placed around you through your prayers. Speaking well about your brothers and sisters at all times. We can do this. God is our Helper. The wall of salvation and truth will be built in Jesus Name!”
February 5, 2021 Update:
On November 19th, 2020, Dr. Henry posted new guidelines for Religious Gatherings, which are now extended until further notice.
Support group meetings can continue, but no in person religious services. Which means we cannot have Sunday Morning worship in person. We will continue to Livestream our service and offer 'drive-in church' every Sunday at 10am, which we hope you will join us for. [Visit our "Watch Us Live" page to find out how to join us live at 10am on Sundays.]
Our counselling services and prayers for people will still be available by appointment. Those who want to receive support from our Ladies Support Group (Thursdays 11am), Men’s Support Group (2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month 10am), or Lifestyle development (Wednesdays 7pm) may continue to come. The government has enacted a mandate requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public places for everyone 12 years and older.
If you would like to book a counselling session or have questions about our support group meetings or drive-in service, please contact us by clicking here or call 604-594-7327.
The Lord knows our hearts, and will strengthen us to walk over the storm and get to the other side!
November 20, 2020 Update:
Church Statement:
New BC Restrictions on Gathering
On November 19th, 2020, Dr. Henry posted new guidelines for Religious Gatherings.
Self help meetings can continue, but no in person religious services. Which means we cannot have Sunday Morning worship in person. We will continue to Livestream our service and hope that you will be joining us for that. [Visit our "Media" page to find out how to join us live.]
Our counselling services and prayers for people, will still be available. Those who want to receive support from our Ladies groups, Men’s groups, or Lifestyle development may continue to come. The government has enacted a mandate requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public places for everyone over the age of 2 years.
The Lord knows our hearts, and will strengthen us to walk over the storm and get to the other side!
[Click below to hear an update from Pastor Gwen.]
January 7, 2021 Update:
BC Restrictions on Gathering
On November 19th, 2020, Dr. Henry posted new guidelines for Religious Gatherings, which are now extended until February 5, 2021.
Support group meetings can continue, but no in person religious services. Which means we cannot have Sunday Morning worship in person. We will continue to Livestream our service and are offering 'drive-in church', which we hope you will join us for. [Visit our "Media" page to find out how to join us live at 10am on Sundays.]
Our counselling services and prayers for people will still be available. Those who want to receive support from our Ladies Support Group (Thursdays 11am), Men’s Support Group (2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month 10am), or Lifestyle development (Wednesdays 7pm) may continue to come. The government has enacted a mandate requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public places for everyone 12 years and older.
If you would like to book a counselling session or have questions about our support group meetings or drive-in service, please contact us by clicking here or call 604-594-7327.
The Lord knows our hearts, and will strengthen us to walk over the storm and get to the other side!
From the BC Centre for Disease Control:
CLASS ORDER (mass gatherings) re: COVID-19 (put into law March 16, 2020)
“E. You belong to the class of people who are the owner, occupier or operator, or are otherwise
responsible for, a place or places at which large numbers of people gather in British Columbia;
F. I have reason to believe and do believe that
(i) the risk of an outbreak of COVID-19 among the public constitutes a health hazard under the
Public Health Act;
(ii) because the risk of an outbreak extends beyond the authority of one or more medical health
officers and coordinated action is needed to protect the public from contracting COVID-19,
it is in the public interest for me to exercise the powers in sections 30, 31, 32 and 39(3) of the
Public Health Act TO ORDER as follows:
You are prohibited from permitting the gathering of people in excess of 50 people at a
place of which you are the owner, occupier or operator, or for which you are otherwise
responsible.
This Order expires on May 30, 2020 and is subject to revision, cancellation or extension by me.
You are required under section 42 of the Public Health Act to comply with this Order. Failure to comply
with this Order is an offence under section 99 (1) (k) of the Public Health Act.”
Dr Bonnie Henry
Our Response:
In accordance with the above, Celebration Life Church will limit gathering to no more than 50 persons. Due to our space we are able to fulfill the suggested social distancing measures with that number of people.
We encourage good health on all levels, including washing of hands, and maintaining cleanliness in your surroundings.
We encourage those who are immunocompromised such as, cancer, heart disease, COPD, etc to stay at home while also encouraging those who are unwell, to remain at home until symptoms are not present.
We will be continuing with our Livestream services and Facebook live. We will be broadcasting on a more regular basis to update, encourage, pray for, and strengthen you with the Word of God.
We have adjusted our seating to accommodate social distancing.
We have closed our coffee bar and postponed all food services.
Should the need arise for assistance for those shut in, we will do our best to provide help.
We care about our community and love you all.
The Pastors of Celebration Life Church
Reverend Gwen Dreger, Reverend Anne Ukkonen, Reverend Neil McKeever, Pastor Jason MacKay
October 31, 2020 Update:
Statement from CLC regarding recent BC Gatherings and Events order:
On Oct 26, 2020, an official letter was given verbally by Dr. Bonnie Henry that was read into an official order on Friday, Oct 30, 2020. That order specifically dealt with the gatherings at private residences. There were no new updates regarding ‘Faith Based Gatherings’. The order for ‘Faith Based Gatherings’ was last updated on Oct 9, 2020. The right to gather remains with a limited number of persons attending at 50. In keeping with these current regulations, CLC will continue to gather in person as well as Livestream broadcasting of our services. If you have any further questions, please call our office at: 604.594.7327 If you would like to read the official order, you can find it at this link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-gatherings-events.pdf