No more church gatherings by order of the government.

[Triumph1300]

In our area we are ordered not to meet in church on sunday anymore.
Yet the schools, bars, restaurants, etc are still open under certain conditions.
Our churches are closed now!

These certain conditions are invalid for our local churches.
No more meetings in church, period

British Columbia Canada:
On November 19, 2020, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a provincial order that prohibits indoor and outdoor gatherings of any size. In-person religious gatherings and worship services including drive-in church) are not allowed from November 19 at midnight. This order also does not allow social gatherings of any size with anyone other than those in your household or core bubble.

So lets look at scripture and please respond with your ideas and comments.....


What does Hebrews 10:25 mean?
Personal contact with other Christians is not merely suggested by the Bible: it is commanded. A practical reason for this was given in the prior verse. Relationships with other believers are one way to be encouraged to live out the faith we proclaim. We are called on to "hold fast," through our own spiritual maturity. Growth in faith, however, is greatly influenced by having Christian examples around us. This is why the Great Commission was for the church to "make disciples," not merely to talk about Jesus (Matthew 28:18–20). Verse 24 commanded Christians to look for opportunities to inspire others to love and to good works.

This verse specifically disapproves of failure, on the part of Christians, to meet with other Christians. The Greek term used here is enkataleipontes, referring to "an abandonment or forsaking." The ESV translates this term as "neglect," since it implies a failure to do something one ought to be doing. In clear terms, Christians have an obligation to fellowship with other Christians. This is not only necessary for discipleship, but so that we can meet each other's needs, and encourage and inspire other Christians in their faith...........

 

[Addy]

I live in Ontario... and we have colour coded different districts according to the number of cases aka hot spots.
There is green... orange... red and grey... green being wear a mask inside public spaces that are enclosed... social distance... limit capacity of people
according to space... be careful and safe... but operate at still below normal capacity.... orange is the warning sign that cases
are rising...red zone is stricter limits to the number of people allowed to gather... urging people not to go out unless they have to... and grey is
lock down... only essential services allowed to open at minimum capacity. Church is not considered an essential service... and it has also
been documented as a super-spreading event in the past.

Where I live in the North... we are green which means businesses are allowed to open at limited capacity... Most
of our retail stores have staff standing at the front doors... counting the number of people entering as well as ensuring
that hand sanitizer is used before entering.

I guess it boils down to how you view government instructions and protocols... Personally... I feel it is a matter of respect to follow the protocols
given... We have doctors... nurses working themselves to the bone to care for and protect the sick... I have seen anti-mask rallies around the country.... and house parties being thrown by irresponsible College and University students...as well as others who just want to drink and carry on... I personally find this disturbing and appalling. In my opinion.. if you don't want to wear a mask.... STAY HOME. I am grateful that I can walk into my grocery store and feel safe and comfortable to shop. I do not feel like I am making a big sacrifice.

For those who don't believe covid-19 is even real... well... there's not much can be said to those people... they will certainly be those affected the most by the restrictions being set in place to protect us. These have been difficult times for EVERYONE... and yes... it has been hard on the economy and on mental health... but the internet does at least offer ways to stay connected with one another even if not in the same room.

 

[Heart2Soul]

In our area we are ordered not to meet in church on sunday anymore.
Yet the schools, bars, restaurants, etc are still open under certain conditions.
Our churches are closed now!

These certain conditions are invalid for our local churches.
No more meetings in church, period

British Columbia Canada:
On November 19, 2020, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a provincial order that prohibits indoor and outdoor gatherings of any size. In-person religious gatherings and worship services including drive-in church) are not allowed from November 19 at midnight. This order also does not allow social gatherings of any size with anyone other than those in your household or core bubble.

So lets look at scripture and please respond with your ideas and comments.....


What does Hebrews 10:25 mean?
Personal contact with other Christians is not merely suggested by the Bible: it is commanded. A practical reason for this was given in the prior verse. Relationships with other believers are one way to be encouraged to live out the faith we proclaim. We are called on to "hold fast," through our own spiritual maturity. Growth in faith, however, is greatly influenced by having Christian examples around us. This is why the Great Commission was for the church to "make disciples," not merely to talk about Jesus (Matthew 28:18–20). Verse 24 commanded Christians to look for opportunities to inspire others to love and to good works.

This verse specifically disapproves of failure, on the part of Christians, to meet with other Christians. The Greek term used here is enkataleipontes, referring to "an abandonment or forsaking." The ESV translates this term as "neglect," since it implies a failure to do something one ought to be doing. In clear terms, Christians have an obligation to fellowship with other Christians. This is not only necessary for discipleship, but so that we can meet each other's needs, and encourage and inspire other Christians in their faith...........

 

[farouk]

@Heart2Soul We have to remember the context of the health hazard, which varies from one jurisdiction to another and that the measures are not permanent, either. Not to consider these aspects gives an unbalanced view of what is happening. The Lord knows the hearts of His people; and we are not to moralize against His pilgrim people who may happen to live in jurisdictions where there may be a higher incidence of the virus and more severe measures against it.

 

[Heart2Soul]

@Heart2Soul We have to remember the context of the health hazard, which varies from one jurisdiction to another and that the measures are not permanent, either. Not to consider these aspects gives an unbalanced view of what is happening. The Lord knows the hearts of His people; and we are not to moralize against His pilgrim people who may happen to live in jurisdictions where there may be a higher incidence of the virus and more severe measures against it.

I am tired of raising awareness to the amount of hype being perpetuated with this virus vs past virus pandemics....never in the history of the US have we shut down churches. Here read this article
Here's How COVID-19 Compares to Past Outbreaks

 

[Enoch111]

In our area we are ordered not to meet in church on sunday anymore.

Now is the time for all good men -- all Christians -- to stand up, be counted, and oppose and resist this tyranny. Ignore the rascals, keep calm, and carry on.

Since the whole Wuhan virus pandemic narrative is bogus, the onus will be on governments to prove that they have a genuine public health emergency, and therefore can interfere with civil liberties. So here is something which you should be aware of:

Justice Centre will take Calgary “circuit-breaker” lockdown to court, if implemented

Nov 17th, 2020

CALGARY: The Justice Centre, a non-profit, non-partisan, non-political public interest law firm, today warned Calgary Emergency Management Chief Tom Sampson and Mayor Naheed Nenshi that Mr. Sampson’s threat to impose a 28-day “circuit breaker” lockdown on the City of Calgary will result in immediate legal action.

On Sunday, November 15, 2020, Mr. Sampson told CBC News that Calgary should institute a 28-day “circuit breaker” lockdown, shutting down all “non-essential” services. In a number of tweets on November 14, Mr. Sampson described the rising infections as an incoming tsunami. “This second wave is large and it may run over our healthcare system,” he tweeted. “We must stop the spread of Covid-19, there is little to debate here…the tsunami siren is wailing.”

The mission of the Justice Centre is to protect the Charter freedoms of Canadians to gather, assemble and worship, and to reject destructive restrictions that lack a justifiable basis. In a legal warning letter sent to Mr. Sampson on November 17 and copied to the Calgary Mayor, the Justice Centre stated:

Your threat to lockdown the City of Calgary is a gross usurpation of authority. There is no statutory authority for your proposed exercise of this power, nor historical precedent for the use of such extraordinary authority in the history of this nation by an official such as yourself. No such power is delegated to you under the Municipal Government Act, or the Constitution of Canada. Further, you are not a medical officer of health in the Province of Alberta.

The threat made by Calgary’s Emergency Management Chief is not grounded on relevant facts and fails to consider AHS data on actual COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations and ICU capacity.

AHS’s own data makes it clear that 97% of people who contract COVID-19 are entirely asymptomatic or only mildly ill. Aside from the lack of reliability of PCR testing, fewer than 3% of these “cases” concern people who require hospitalization. In regard to claims that the health care system risks being overrun, the most recent AHS statistics show that COVID-19 patients are currently using less than 3% of Alberta’s hospital beds. As announced by the provincial government in April, ICU capacity can be expanded to 1,374 beds; currently COVID-19 patients are using only 4% of this total ICU capacity.

COVID-19 has no significant impact on population life expectancy. More than 80% of deaths have been amongst elderly and already sick people in long-term homes, nearly twice as high as other developed nations. The average lifespan of people, once admitted to a nursing home is only 12 months. More than 27,000 Albertans die each year, including 449 deaths from opioid poisoning. Since March of 2020, 423 Albertans have died of COVID-19, less than 2% of total deaths.

Since March, there have been 1,278 people hospitalized and 220 people requiring ICU. In 2017-18, there were 3,097 people hospitalized with influenza and 249 admissions to ICU. Our hospital system did not fall apart.

“Lockdown policies have crippled our economy and society. Most small businesses are not going to survive another lockdown. People’s mental and physical health have suffered immensely by government overreach,” states lawyer and Justice Centre President John Carpay.

“Albertans have died and are dying because of cancelled surgeries, delayed cancer diagnoses, drug overdoses, and suicides. Lockdowns have imposed serious harms on patients denied access to their physiotherapists, massage therapists, optometrists, chiropractors, osteopaths, podiatrists and dentists. Outside of the privileged public sector, countless Albertans have been driven into unemployment, poverty and despair. The economy has been decimated, and the hopes and futures of tens of thousands of Albertans are destroyed, not because of the virus, but because of policies based on fear, not facts,” adds Mr. Carpay.

As a public official, Mr. Sampson’s pension and salary are secure. There is no monetary consequence to him or Mayor Naheed Nenshi personally if the city is locked down. Indeed, Mr. Sampson has already announced his intention to retire before the end of November, telling the Calgary Herald: “There are smarter and brighter people to lead behind me.”

“We have put the City of Calgary, Mayor Nenshi and Mr. Sampson on notice. We will immediately begin court proceedings for an injunction if they attempt to carry through on threats to lock down the City of Calgary, which violates our most fundamental Charter freedoms without factual justification,” continues Carpay.

“We urge government officials to focus on protecting the vulnerable, instead of arbitrarily restricting the liberty of healthy citizens, which will have no effect on reducing the risk of transmission among the vulnerable elderly in nursing homes” concludes Carpay.

Justice Centre will take Calgary “circuit-breaker” lockdown to court, if implemented | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms

 

[Addy]

I am sorry that I put my two cents worth in this discussion as I do not desire to go against what others believe and hold dear.
My comments came because the original poster was from Canada... and I also live in Canada...
Be blessed everyone.

 

[Josho]

Please know that this is only temporary, we are allowed to meet in person in Churches in Victoria, Australia again....

 

[farouk]

I live in Ontario... and we have colour coded different districts according to the number of cases aka hot spots.
There is green... orange... red and grey... green being wear a mask inside public spaces that are enclosed... social distance... limit capacity of people
according to space... be careful and safe... but operate at still below normal capacity.... orange is the warning sign that cases
are rising...red zone is stricter limits to the number of people allowed to gather... urging people not to go out unless they have to... and grey is
lock down... only essential services allowed to open at minimum capacity. Church is not considered an essential service... and it has also
been documented as a super-spreading event in the past.

Where I live in the North... we are green which means businesses are allowed to open at limited capacity... Most
of our retail stores have staff standing at the front doors... counting the number of people entering as well as ensuring
that hand sanitizer is used before entering.

I guess it boils down to how you view government instructions and protocols... Personally... I feel it is a matter of respect to follow the protocols
given... We have doctors... nurses working themselves to the bone to care for and protect the sick... I have seen anti-mask rallies around the country.... and house parties being thrown by irresponsible College and University students...as well as others who just want to drink and carry on... I personally find this disturbing and appalling. In my opinion.. if you don't want to wear a mask.... STAY HOME. I am grateful that I can walk into my grocery store and feel safe and comfortable to shop. I do not feel like I am making a big sacrifice.

For those who don't believe covid-19 is even real... well... there's not much can be said to those people... they will certainly be those affected the most by the restrictions being set in place to protect us. These have been difficult times for EVERYONE... and yes... it has been hard on the economy and on mental health... but the internet does at least offer ways to stay connected with one another even if not in the same room.

@Adoration I have been amazed at people who at the best of times show limited interest in church attendance, who suddenly now seem to think defying virus rules is somehow a highly "spiritual" attitude to take.

Patience is a highly commended virtue in the New Testament, as is respect for those who suffer - and ppl do indeed suffer from the virus; I knew someone killed by it.

 

[Addy]

I live a very simple life... and I keep to myself... I live and let live... and my heart is filled with peace because I have hope in my Saviour...
The world is far too loud for me... everyone screaming and demanding to be heard... so much violence and intolerance to those who differ
in opinions... It's one thing for non-believers to be at odds with believers... that is a given and to be expected... but the behaviours and attitudes of some Christians seem no different these days than those without a Saviour.

I think Canadians are more used to listening to and accepting government mandates. As I stated earlier... I don't feel like my rights have been taken away... I am able to shop for groceries with comfort and in safety... as well as go anywhere else I desire... provided I wear a mask and keep my distance... I have no problem or opinion about following the mandates set before me.

Anyways... I need to stay away from these debating forums... as I don't have the energy to keep up with all the opinions.

Bless you... @farouk

 

[farouk]

I live a very simple life... and I keep to myself... I live and let live... and my heart is filled with peace because I have hope in my Saviour...
The world is far too loud for me... everyone screaming and demanding to be heard... so much violence and intolerance to those who differ
in opinions... It's one thing for non-believers to be at odds with believers... that is a given and to be expected... but the behaviours and attitudes of some Christians seem no different these days than those without a Saviour.

I think Canadians are more used to listening to and accepting government mandates. As I stated earlier... I don't feel like my rights have been taken away... I am able to shop for groceries with comfort and in safety... as well as go anywhere else I desire... provided I wear a mask and keep my distance... I have no problem or opinion about following the mandates set before me.

Anyways... I need to stay away from these debating forums... as I don't have the energy to keep up with all the opinions.

Bless you... @farouk

@Adoration John 14.27; and Philippians 4, with their references to peace in Christ, are a real blessing!

 

[Addy]

@farouk Thank you for the scripture... I have taken comfort in the below these last weeks. As well as the promise that God is faithful to finish within us that which He has begun. For me... it is the time to be STILL and KNOW that HE is God.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

 

[Enoch111]

Our churches are closed now!

Premier Ford warned against another lockdown of churches

Sep 29th, 2020

ONTARIO: The Justice Centre has written to Ontario Premier Doug Ford on behalf of a coalition of faith leaders warning against re-locking down Ontario society. There is broad concern amongst churches and business owners that Premier Ford will bend to cries to return to repressive lockdowns of places of worship and other aspects of society, despite dramatically lower rates of deaths and hospitalizations than occurred during the spring.

Churches are witnessing the damaging consequences of lockdowns on the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being of their parishioners and other citizens, and have cautioned that further lockdowns preventing the exercise of Charter freedoms of religion, assembly and association will be challenged in the courts.

Churches, synagogues and other places of worship remain restricted to only 30% capacity, even after complying with all public health requirements including physical distancing, screening measures and often the wearing of masks. It took the threat of legal action against the province by the Justice Centre to get access to their buildings at all, which were closed down entirely as “non-essential services” for two months in the spring.

On Thursday, September 24, a group of doctors wrote an open letter demanding that Premier Ford return the province to Stage 2 COVID lockdown measures, which would re-classify places of worship as “non-essential” and impose further restrictions or close them down entirely once again.

The Justice Centre’s letter warns that their clients will not accept any further draconian restrictions, and notes that the increase in positive test results is primarily in younger demographics who are statistically at very low risk from COVID-19. There is also strong evidence that a significant number of these “cases” are actually false positives. In addition, the dramatic increase in positive tests is clearly linked to the four-fold increase in testing since the earlier months of the pandemic: more testing discovers more asymptomatic cases.

For these reasons, the Justice Centre has warned the Ford government that it must resist misguided calls to re-lockdown the province, and instead protect the constitutional rights of Canadians and help Ontarians begin the process of repairing the social and economic destruction which resulted from the spring closures.

“Our clients and a growing number of Ontarians are troubled by the shifting goals of restrictive measures: from initially protecting the health care system, to what appears to be the unattainable objective of wiping out or suppressing this virus at any cost,” notes Justice Centre lawyer Lisa Bildy.

“We want to ensure that the government’s Command Table is avoiding groupthink, and is not merely responding to the loudest voices. Even in the face of public pressure, the government has an obligation not to infringe the Charter rights of citizens without proof that doing so is demonstrably justified and only a minimal impairment of those rights,” adds Ms. Bildy. “If the government fails to do so on its own, our clients will have to turn to the courts.”

Premier Ford warned against another lockdown of churches | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms

As noted above, the public health officials who should be honoring their Hippocratic Oath strictly have been playing politics ever since Wuhan virus appeared in the scene. As I have posted elsewhere from an honest medical doctor's article, a positive test is NOT a "case". But all public health services are deliberately and dishonestly calling positive tests "cases" to promote fear-mongering.

Let's just hope that the judges now uphold their oaths of office and uphold the constitutions of Canada and the USA.

 

[Addy]

I'm just wondering... Is Ontario the only province in Canada that has the colour coded stages?
The green, orange, red and grey? Ontario is abiding by the protocols in each phase... and so not
all the province goes under the same measures at the same time.

 

[Taken]

In our area we are ordered not to meet in church on sunday anymore.
Yet the schools, bars, restaurants, etc are still open under certain conditions.
Our churches are closed now!

Talk to the local school principle or school board to see if you can use a school room.

Talk to a local bar, see if you can use their bar and coffee pot.

Meet in a home.

Sorry you have an educated idiot in charge.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[Triumph1300]

I am sorry that I put my two cents worth in this discussion as I do not desire to go against what others believe and hold dear.
My comments came because the original poster was from Canada... and I also live in Canada...
Be blessed everyone

Not to worry.
Bless you.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

In our area we are ordered not to meet in church on sunday anymore.
Yet the schools, bars, restaurants, etc are still open under certain conditions.
Our churches are closed now!

These certain conditions are invalid for our local churches.
No more meetings in church, period

British Columbia Canada:
On November 19, 2020, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a provincial order that prohibits indoor and outdoor gatherings of any size. In-person religious gatherings and worship services including drive-in church) are not allowed from November 19 at midnight. This order also does not allow social gatherings of any size with anyone other than those in your household or core bubble.

So lets look at scripture and please respond with your ideas and comments.....


What does Hebrews 10:25 mean?
Personal contact with other Christians is not merely suggested by the Bible: it is commanded. A practical reason for this was given in the prior verse. Relationships with other believers are one way to be encouraged to live out the faith we proclaim. We are called on to "hold fast," through our own spiritual maturity. Growth in faith, however, is greatly influenced by having Christian examples around us. This is why the Great Commission was for the church to "make disciples," not merely to talk about Jesus (Matthew 28:18–20). Verse 24 commanded Christians to look for opportunities to inspire others to love and to good works.

This verse specifically disapproves of failure, on the part of Christians, to meet with other Christians. The Greek term used here is enkataleipontes, referring to "an abandonment or forsaking." The ESV translates this term as "neglect," since it implies a failure to do something one ought to be doing. In clear terms, Christians have an obligation to fellowship with other Christians. This is not only necessary for discipleship, but so that we can meet each other's needs, and encourage and inspire other Christians in their faith...........

You should pray about challenging this in court.

 

[Triumph1300]

Talk to the local school principle or school board to see if you can use a school room.

I suggested having church at a Costco store or a Walmart. lol.

 

[farouk]

You should pray about challenging this in court.

What I would ask is, Would challenging the temporary measure in court make the virus go away?

 

[Prayer Warrior]

What I would ask is, Would challenging the temporary measure in court make the virus go away?

Lol!!!