Pastoral Letter
May 3, 2021
Dear Church Family:
In our recent study in the book of Daniel, we noticed that he blessed the God of heaven and said, “He changes times and seasons”. (Daniel 2:21) This year has been no exception. In addition to all the upheaval Covid-19 and the lockdowns have caused, our church family now faces a more shocking and immediate occurrence: the sudden and very unexpected death of one of our beloved students, Aaron Stringer.
Aaron suffered a fatal skateboarding accident in Toronto on Friday afternoon while His girlfriend Jenna was rollerblading a short distance behind him. He succumbed to his head injuries at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto yesterday afternoon.
Aaron was a very likable and jovial young man, who had no difficulty making friends. Most remarkable and notable was Aaron’s exceptional spiritual maturity, and his obvious love and devotion to the Lord Jesus. He used his gifts to serve in a number of ministries, including Bible studies and mentoring other students. He was especially gifted at singing and enjoyed serving on the platform during church services. His distinct voice and harmonies always resounded with notes of joy and praise.
While we all grieve the death of Aaron - and certainly find it difficult to explain his sudden departure - we must thank the Lord that He has not left us. In fact, while any easy answers escape us, it is precisely at this time that God continues to draw close to us who knew Aaron in order to shore us up with His presence and Word.
There is no better place to find consolation than the Word of God itself:
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)
Let us, as a church family, maintain our many cherished thoughts and memories of Aaron. Let us especially pray for his immediate family - his parents, Andrew and Elizabeth - and his younger brothers - Luke, John, Nathan, Joel and Liam - and Aaron’s girlfriend Jenna Syptak. We pray too for his many friends from school and Nipissing Canadore Christian Fellowship.
Sorrow is a natural emotion at a time like this, but we are reminded that as believers we need not sorrow as others who have no hope, because we have confidence that Aaron, having put his trust in Jesus Christ for life and eternity, is now safely in the presence of the Saviour. In these trying times, we cling to God, our Rock. God is not only higher and stronger than us, but we know He Himself is clinging to us and will lead us forward.
Our Student Ministry Directors - Nate and Jen Booth - and I and the church board are available if any of you need support or encouragement at this time or in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Pastor Brent Tremblay
Dear Church Family:
In our recent study in the book of Daniel, we noticed that he blessed the God of heaven and said, “He changes times and seasons”. (Daniel 2:21) This year has been no exception. In addition to all the upheaval Covid-19 and the lockdowns have caused, our church family now faces a more shocking and immediate occurrence: the sudden and very unexpected death of one of our beloved students, Aaron Stringer.
Aaron suffered a fatal skateboarding accident in Toronto on Friday afternoon while His girlfriend Jenna was rollerblading a short distance behind him. He succumbed to his head injuries at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto yesterday afternoon.
Aaron was a very likable and jovial young man, who had no difficulty making friends. Most remarkable and notable was Aaron’s exceptional spiritual maturity, and his obvious love and devotion to the Lord Jesus. He used his gifts to serve in a number of ministries, including Bible studies and mentoring other students. He was especially gifted at singing and enjoyed serving on the platform during church services. His distinct voice and harmonies always resounded with notes of joy and praise.
While we all grieve the death of Aaron - and certainly find it difficult to explain his sudden departure - we must thank the Lord that He has not left us. In fact, while any easy answers escape us, it is precisely at this time that God continues to draw close to us who knew Aaron in order to shore us up with His presence and Word.
There is no better place to find consolation than the Word of God itself:
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)
Let us, as a church family, maintain our many cherished thoughts and memories of Aaron. Let us especially pray for his immediate family - his parents, Andrew and Elizabeth - and his younger brothers - Luke, John, Nathan, Joel and Liam - and Aaron’s girlfriend Jenna Syptak. We pray too for his many friends from school and Nipissing Canadore Christian Fellowship.
Sorrow is a natural emotion at a time like this, but we are reminded that as believers we need not sorrow as others who have no hope, because we have confidence that Aaron, having put his trust in Jesus Christ for life and eternity, is now safely in the presence of the Saviour. In these trying times, we cling to God, our Rock. God is not only higher and stronger than us, but we know He Himself is clinging to us and will lead us forward.
Our Student Ministry Directors - Nate and Jen Booth - and I and the church board are available if any of you need support or encouragement at this time or in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Pastor Brent Tremblay
