"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." -- Isaiah 41:13
Changes for the March 22 Worship Service
Good afternoon, Last Sunday, March 15, I was among the many who participated in our worship service via Facebook Live. I was very proud of our congregation and her leadership. We balanced safety with a desire to gather together as part of the body of Christ. Along with our online presence, 77 people gathering in our sanctuary. However, events are changing day by day and even hour by hour. Your safety is our greatest concern. Local, state and federal officials are suggesting further restrictions on gathering. As a result, we are suspending in-person worship starting this week, March 22. This is not a decision that we take lightly. As soon as we can be confident of your safety, we will be back in the sanctuary. Last week, I shared a scripture with you from the book of Hebrews.
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)
Now that we are unable to gather in-person, we need to find other ways that our congregation can connect. This Sunday, March 22, at 9:30 AM, we will be broadcasting a worship service designed specifically for an online audience. There will be music, prayer, scripture, sermon, and even something for the kids. Check out our Facebook Page at 9:30 AM this Sunday or log on to our website and find the video on our main page.
I would encourage you to gather as families. Invite friends to worship in your home. Call neighbors who may be alone during this time. Reach out to those without an internet connection. Social distancing does not mean isolation. We need to be intentional in our love for neighbor now more than ever. If you are sick, at-risk, or just lonely contact the church office. We are organizing drivers to run errands and make connections. Let the church help. God's love is certainly more powerful than COVID19. Grace & Peace, Pastor James Hodsden