I love you, Lord.
You are my protector and my shield.
You are my vaccine from every virus.
You are my wisdom in the face of change.
You are my provision in the famine.
You are my assurance when the numbers are short.
You are my comfort when I suffer.
You are my joy in boredom.
You are my energy when I am overwhelmed.
You are my hope for better days.
You have loved me well in every situation.
So, I love you this day.
Month: March 2020
CIL In-Person Gatherings Suspended through April 30
In cooperation with local, state, and federal authorities, CIL Elders have suspended all in-person gatherings through April 30, 2020.
Why? We love you.
Someday soon, we will regather, and it will be a real day of celebration. Until that day, let’s keep loving each other deeply in ways that cooperate with this “safer at home” request.
I will see you online in various ways, including our Sunday morning services. More importantly, both myself and all CIL Leaders are available to you by phone, text, email, or any other way we can connect with you.
You are not alone! We are still a church family.
I love you, and we will be together soon!
Aaron
Finding CIL online / Aaron’s Devotional
Hello everyone!
I hope you were able to join us for our online service on Sunday. In case you missed it, or if you want to watch it again here are some links for you to experience the service again:
cil.sermon.net
http://cil.sermon.net/Sermons/video/21556249
You Tube
Vimeo
I want to remind you that all CIL gatherings are suspended through the end of March 31. Our Elders will prayerfully consider how to progress as we approach that date when we will know more about the healthcare threat and government recommendations.
I miss meeting in person, and I cannot wait to see your face again! Still, the Lord is helping us take some steps forward in technology that will be a blessing to us all in the years to come!
In case you didn’t see the devotional I put on social media, it is available below.
With love and appreciation,
Aaron
Online Services on March 22
Hello church family!
This message is just a quick reminder that there are no in-person gatherings at CIL this Sunday. Instead, we will offer online service experiences at 9 am, and 10:45 am.
You can access this feed at either:
Our website – www.cil.church. Look for the link to “Sermons.”
or
Facebook Live. Find the CIL Church page on Facebook, and we will be streaming the online service at both 9 am and 10:45 am.
Meeting together is always better, but I am so glad we have this opportunity to experience Jesus together during this unique time.
I love living for Jesus with you!
Aaron
CIL Suspending Public Gatherings
CIL is suspending all in-person services and activities through March 31. We will have online services each Sunday.
We want to be cooperative citizens full of faith that God will get us through this health threat. This time will pass, and we will overcome! Love to all.
Message from Aaron and Beth
Yes, we plan to have church
For those of you who attend CIL, I want you to know that we plan to have both services this Sunday at 9 am and 10:45 am.
I spoke with the CIL Elders – Aubrey McGowan, Chip Johnson, and Deborah Jackson – and we are all in agreement. Please don’t feel any pressure to come, but if you are not in a high-risk category, we plan to worship with you.
Let’s keep praying about this unprecedented situation.
God will get us through!
Responding thoughtfully to coronavirus
If you are interested, let me weigh in on coronavirus. There is a good chance that this threat is overblown – and wouldn’t that be great? However, the mysteries behind the virus have leadership on all levels forced to respond. These actions produce two unhealthy reactions – panic or mocking disregard.
I think our leaders are trying to be responsible. The call for measured behavior changes is appropriate. To nurture the vitality of the economy is also a collective concern. Since no one knows what we are facing, let’s provide each other some latitude. Different individuals and entities will respond differently due to their unique needs.
In my sphere of leadership, I know not everyone will agree with decisions or preventative measures. Still, with God’s help, these decisions are made through love.
CIL Tornado Relief
TORNADO RELIEF
There is a widespread path of devastation and need in the greater Nashville/Mount Juliet/Cookeville areas. Beth and I have spent the past 2 days in communication with area leaders and pastors, assessing how to best direct our resources.
We have identified a great need in several ministries we currently support, as well as some potentially overlooked or lesser known ministries/communities that may not have the exposure or resources that others do.
GIVE:
CIL will receive donations at CIL.Church or by accessing the Church Center app. Select “Give” and then select “Tornado Relief.” 100% of these funds will be dispersed to those directly impacted by the tornados.
https://cil.churchcenter.com/giving/to/tornado-relief
VOLUNTEER:
Our friends at the Donelson Fellowship (3210 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37214) are helping the community with food, water, and meeting other practical needs in the Donelson area. They will have relief training at 7:30 am at their church building to prepare for a day of help. Volunteers from CIL are welcome. If you have equipment such as chainsaws, etc., these are needed! This schedule will likely continue indefinitely.
DONATION OPPORTUNITIES:
The Bridge Ministry – our friends who serve the homeless under the Jefferson St. Bridge every Tuesday night – are in need of bottled water, pop-top canned food, tents, sleeping bags, and flashlights/lanterns.
The Laundry Stop – a ministry that washes clothes and bedding for the homeless – is in need of tarps, sleeping bags, and tents.
***You can bring your donated items to CIL on Sunday and we will transport them for you! If you need to drop them off before Sunday, contact Beth at beth@cil.church.
Father God,
Your love enfolds the helpless,
the needy, and those who mourn.
Give us strength through Jesus Christ
to be instruments of Your compassion
to those who are overwhelmed and hurting.
Amen.
Aaron's Angle 