Hey TC Family,
It has been encouraging to see how the church family has been adapting to the new norm of church-life over the past couple of months during this pandemic. Folks continue gathering in small groups via zoom for men’s and women’s groups and prayer nights. We have seen more people being proactive in gathering “organically” for fellowship and support
outside of church programs. People are meeting in homes and restaurants…. for bible study, sharing meals, praying, and sharing favorite podcasts. It is awesome to see the church still being the church… deepening their relationships with others and God. It has been so encouraging to see the body use their gifts and talents to love one another through this tough season. In addition to all of this, Tamarindo Church is still active in supporting three feeding centers and supporting local families in need. Although we can’t gather in person or do the programs we would normally do this time of year, God is still active and moving. This leads me to my next announcement… sabbatical.
Over the past couple of Sundays, during announcements, I shared the news with our congregation that I will be spending the next three months on sabbatical. For those of you who aren’t familiar with sabbatical, it comes from the biblical concept of “sabbath rest”. For people serving in full time ministry, sabbatical is an extended time away from ministry responsibilities for personal restoration and spiritual refreshment. I first approached the church board about taking sabbatical over a year ago, and I was given the go ahead to do so. But when the pandemic hit back in March, I decided to put my sabbatical on hold to see how things unfolded with our church family as a result of the pandemic. In addition, the Costa Rica borders were closed and I wouldn’t be able to return to Costa Rica. The short of the story is that, in recent weeks the possibility of taking sabbatical this year resurfaced when Costa Rica opened the borders for residents of Costa Rica to travel abroad again. And in re-evaluating whether it would be best to take Sabbatical this year… or postponing until next year in 2021, I approached the board with a proposal to go ahead with the original plan of taking Sabbatical this Fall. The primary reason for this was…. with anticipation that we will begin holding “in-person” services again next year in 2021… it would be best to take Sabbatical now… while church is not meeting person… so that I can be present in Costa Rica next year when we anticipate ministry ramping up again with in-person meetings and church services. During my time on sabbatical we will have guest preaching on Sundays from our friends Alex and Juan Diego at Casa Vida Church and from Pastor Paul at our sister church, International Baptist Church, in San Jose.
Thank you for keeping me, my family, and the Tamarindo Church family in prayer during this time. I look forward to being with you all in Costa Rica again the first week of January.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25
Peace,
Lyle
SUNDAY MORNING CHURCH ONLINE
Please join us for online services on Sunday mornings at 10:00AM by going to Tamarindo Church Facebook Page . Or… for those who don’t have Facebook, go to the Tamarindo Church web page and you will find a Zoom link for our Sunday live services.
BEACH BAPTISM On Monday, August 10th, we celebrated the baptism of Sonia Angona on the beach in Tamarindo, followed by a time of fellowship. As we gathered at the waters edge, Sonia shared a powerful testimony of the work of God in her life. To God be the glory for bringing Sonia to this day! We pray, Holy Spirit, that you would bless Sonia with an ever-deepening faith and knowledge of Your love for her. |
PRAYER GATHERING
Wednesday, October. 20th
6:30pm online via Zoom
On Wed, Sept 20th @ 6:30 we will be hosting a prayer meeting online via Zoom. Join us for an hour of prayer together as we pray for our church, our community, and for requests shared among those gathered. If you would like to join the meeting, please email/message Jean Mixon to let her know and she will send you the Zoom link for the meeting. If you are unable to make the meeting but have a prayer request, please send your prayer requests to Jean at jeanmixon@outlook.com .
TC PRAYER REQUESTS-
Please continue to pray for Tamarindo Church……TC VISION – That God would guide us in our vision and strategy for reaching and serving our community. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would give us creativity on how to do this best in our current context of the pandemic and social distancing.
MINISTRY TEAM- That God would grow our church board, staff and volunteers in unity of Spirit, in wisdom, and in humility as we serve Him. Please also pray spiritual guidance and protection over our church leaders.
VOLUNTEERS- Thanks be to God for our volunteers who serve in many roles in the church. Please pray that God would give us discernment in finding the best places for individuals to serve… and that God bless our volunteers in their service to Him.
FINANCES- Please pray that God would meet the rest of our church financial needs for 2020 through unforeseen gifts and Sunday offerings. Pray also that God would give us wisdom in being good stewards of the resources he has given us.
OUTREACH- That God would create a spiritual hunger in our community, and that we would see many come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. And pray for our church members to be sensitive to open doors to the love of Christ, to share the gospel, and to invite someone to church.
CHURCH LIFE- Prayer for the TC Church family, that we would all make efforts… individually and as a community… to find new ways to stay connected with God and with each other during the this pandemic.
Prayer for God’s continued blessing and protection over the new church community in Los Pochotes, Santa Cruz.
Prayer for the barrio of Cristo Rey Nicaragua… for God’s provision and protection over our friends there during this pandemic.
Prayer that God would use our church family to reach and bless the community around us.
THE WATSON FAMILY-
Please pray spiritual refreshment, rest, and quality time with family as Pastor Lyle takes a sabbatical. For Stacey to find good balance between family, ministry and work. For their teens Olivia and Wolfie… that they would grow in knowing, loving, and serving God. Please also pray for spiritual protection over their family.