Being the Church

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Dear Church Family,

My normal Saturday evening is filled with excitement (and a few nerves) as I pray about what God will do when we worship on Sunday. This Saturday evening feels different for obvious reasons.  Sports have shut down. Schools have closed. Flights are canceled. And our elders made the difficult decision to cancel our large Sunday morning gatherings through the end of the month.

Sunday mornings are that special time of the week when we encourage each other, worship our Savior, hear and respond to the Word.  And for the next three Sundays that won’t happen...at least that won’t happen in the way it usually does.

We may “miss” some “church services” but we never cease from “being the church.”  During this present pandemic, what does it look like for the church to be the church?

People are afraid.  That’s normal.  

Check on your family, your friends, your neighbors.  Consider sharing some of that toilet paper you may or may not have stockpiled.  

Pray.  Not just prayer before meals, but set aside time to ask God for promptings.  

God...what do you want to teach me or show me during this time?

God...who might you want me to reach out to and encourage?

God...help doctors and nurses and first responders during this time.

God...heal the sick, comfort the hurting, give strength and grace to us all.

Bond with your family.  If you have school-aged children and grandchildren - what an opportunity to hear their hearts and make memories without the hustle and bustle of school and extracurricular activities.

Even though we are not gathering in large groups for the remainder of the month, here are some ways you can still connect with your church family during the next few weeks:

  1. We will still maintain office hours Monday-Thursday from 10 AM - 2 PM and we are available at other times via appointment.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

  2. You will be receiving information regarding Community Groups from your Community Group Leaders in the near future.

  3. All Youth Group gatherings are canceled for the month of March.

  4. We plan on sending video teachings/mini sermons to you this coming week.

  5. We plan on sharing sermons from other gifted Bible teachers.

My prayer for all of us is that God would open our ears to be able to hear His Words to us:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

When you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

And the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the LORD your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”   

                                                           Isaiah 43:1b-3a

I love you all,

Steven