Hello Saints,

If you are following the news at all, you can see that we are living in some strange times!  There is panic in the air and people are doing some crazy stuff.  That is not how we as followers of Christ are to react to situations such as this.  As I said before, there is no doubt that God is in complete control of this situation and is going to use it for our good and for His glory.  There is nothing for us to fear knowing that God is in control.

With that being said, yesterday President Trump asked that gatherings of 10 or more people suspend their gathering.  I admit that I struggled with this as to whether or not we should do what was being asked of us.  After seeking the Lord in prayer, searching the Scriptures and seeking wise counsel, Pr. David and I believe that we are to do as the President has asked us to do.  As of this week, the Wednesday evening study will be postponed until further notice.  As far as Sunday service goes, we are still going to have church.  My sister-in-law is home so I have enough help within my immediate family to do a service.  We will start at 10am as usual and broadcast our service live as we always do.  The difference is, I am asking that all of you heed what the President is asking of us and stay home.  Tune in online and worship together with your families.  Make this a time of rest and a time of close family and prayer time.  Encourage each other in the Lord.  Be thankful in all things trusting in our great God to care for us and bring us through this thing in His timing.  Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding.  God has got this.

Furthermore, we should see this as a time for outreach.  We are already set up to do church underground so to speak.  Because of that, you can invite your friends and neighbors to tune in as well.  Send them a link to the website with instructions as to how and when to log in.  If they don't have internet, give them a call and check up on them.  We should also be looking for opportunities to help those we know who fall into the high risk category.  Reach out to them. See if they need someone to go to the grocery store for them.  Reassure them that everything will be alright.  Pray with them.  If you know of someone who is in need, let me know and I’ll see what I can do to help.  This is a great opportunity to show those around us the love of Jesus and the confidence we have in Him.

Finally, we want you to be able to continue to worship through the giving of your tithes and offerings.  Later this week a link will be sent out providing a way for you to do this electronically.  If you prefer to write a check and drop it in the mail, that is fine too.

As all around us seem to be losing their minds and claiming doom and gloom, be a light.  Let the light of Jesus shine brightly in you.  Encourage people. Look for opportunities to share the Gospel.  Pray for one another. There has never been a better time in our lifetimes to show this lost and dying world around us the love of Jesus Christ.  Stand strong in the faith and fearlessly serve your King!

Forever In His Grip,

Pr. Shon