Good morning brothers and sisters,
It is with sadness but also conviction that I write you this morning on behalf of the elders of New Covenant to inform you that we are cancelling all corporate worship services and programs at the church for the foreseeable future. This closure includes Bible Study tomorrow evening. We will reevaluate weekly but are not hopeful for a quick return to regular routines of life.
We don't make this decision lightly. Frankly, we have very mixed feelings and ideas about it, especially since there are no known local cases. However, after prayer, research, godly counsel, and lengthy discussion, we decided that closure is in the best interests of all. We believe it is right and wise to follow the recommendations of both the medical field and our political leadership. We desire to be godly citizens, rightly submitting to the authorities God has placed over us. We desire to be Christ-like neighbors, loving our community by helping protect one another and, through our caution, limiting spread in our community so that local medical professionals can focus on what's most urgent. Additionally, we know that God is not bound or limited or somehow bottled up by this virus and by the need to be proactive in cancelling our times of corporate worship and gathering. As Paul reminded Timothy in 2 Tim 2:9, though Paul was bound in chains, the word of God is not bound!
Hebrews 10:23-25 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." This means A) we have unwavering hope because of the faithfulness of God. God NEVER fails. Let's have a large-scale, biblical perspective on this situation. God is sovereign. God is good. God is with us. We have unwavering hope in His promises. This also means B) even in a time of international crisis and unprecedented recommendations and requirements in our country of closures and isolation we still have a call from God to "stir up one another", "encourage one another", and find some way of "meeting together."
We therefore suggest the following things as a body:
1) Don't give in to fear and panic. Trust God, but also be prepared and be wise. We are to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt 10:16). We encourage the elderly, the sick, and the medically vulnerable among us to stay home as much as possible. Continue practicing basic health routines such as hand-washing, hydration, good sleep patterns, and self-isolation when sick.
2) As much as possible and in keeping with current information, share times of fellowship together in small settings. Get outside together. As things seem to be moving toward increased isolation, we need to increase our efforts to stay connected by text, social media, facetime/skype, and phone calls. Use these tools as opportunities to encourage each other with Scripture and hope. Even if it seems weird, pray for one another on the phone. Share needs with each other. Lift each other up.
3) Enjoy family worship and devotions. If we are stuck at home, let's use this as an opportunity! Pray with your spouse and/or kids. If you are single, find a family or someone else to do this with (even if it's via technology). Read the Bible together. Utilize the incredible amount of resources available online (see ligonier.org, desiringgod.org, truthforlife.org). Sing together. Keep Sabbath together. Worship God together. Pray for God's mercy.
4) This is a time of incredible outreach opportunity and witness. Our world trusts in medicine, technology, governments. But we trust in the name of the Lord our God! (See Psalm 20:7-8). Love your neighbors by reaching out to them. Offer to shop or run errands for those who may not be able to. Pray for the words that we may speak gospel truth into the conversations we have. Who knows what may be ahead for us, but God has called us to be salt and light, as Anthony said Sunday. I came across the following article that has much to recommend as we seek to honor God and display His love in a dark world and dark time: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-courage-might-corona-unleash.
We may record a sermon this coming Sunday but are still praying and undecided on that point. If not, we recommend especially tuning in to the broadcasts available at truthforlife.org. We hope to meet and discuss with our deacons what other opportunities we might have as a church to minister to our community. We will stay in touch. I don't have everyone's email address so please double check with others and share this information if needed. Reach out if you have questions or needs. We will also post info (if needed) on our church facebook page and website.
We love you all! And we are saddened that we won't get to magnify the Lord together in person this Sunday and possibly for a short while. God knows. He is with us. He yet calls us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. Seek the Lord and his strength. Seek his presence continually.
With our love and prayers,
Cory, Joel, Anthony
It is with sadness but also conviction that I write you this morning on behalf of the elders of New Covenant to inform you that we are cancelling all corporate worship services and programs at the church for the foreseeable future. This closure includes Bible Study tomorrow evening. We will reevaluate weekly but are not hopeful for a quick return to regular routines of life.
We don't make this decision lightly. Frankly, we have very mixed feelings and ideas about it, especially since there are no known local cases. However, after prayer, research, godly counsel, and lengthy discussion, we decided that closure is in the best interests of all. We believe it is right and wise to follow the recommendations of both the medical field and our political leadership. We desire to be godly citizens, rightly submitting to the authorities God has placed over us. We desire to be Christ-like neighbors, loving our community by helping protect one another and, through our caution, limiting spread in our community so that local medical professionals can focus on what's most urgent. Additionally, we know that God is not bound or limited or somehow bottled up by this virus and by the need to be proactive in cancelling our times of corporate worship and gathering. As Paul reminded Timothy in 2 Tim 2:9, though Paul was bound in chains, the word of God is not bound!
Hebrews 10:23-25 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." This means A) we have unwavering hope because of the faithfulness of God. God NEVER fails. Let's have a large-scale, biblical perspective on this situation. God is sovereign. God is good. God is with us. We have unwavering hope in His promises. This also means B) even in a time of international crisis and unprecedented recommendations and requirements in our country of closures and isolation we still have a call from God to "stir up one another", "encourage one another", and find some way of "meeting together."
We therefore suggest the following things as a body:
1) Don't give in to fear and panic. Trust God, but also be prepared and be wise. We are to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt 10:16). We encourage the elderly, the sick, and the medically vulnerable among us to stay home as much as possible. Continue practicing basic health routines such as hand-washing, hydration, good sleep patterns, and self-isolation when sick.
2) As much as possible and in keeping with current information, share times of fellowship together in small settings. Get outside together. As things seem to be moving toward increased isolation, we need to increase our efforts to stay connected by text, social media, facetime/skype, and phone calls. Use these tools as opportunities to encourage each other with Scripture and hope. Even if it seems weird, pray for one another on the phone. Share needs with each other. Lift each other up.
3) Enjoy family worship and devotions. If we are stuck at home, let's use this as an opportunity! Pray with your spouse and/or kids. If you are single, find a family or someone else to do this with (even if it's via technology). Read the Bible together. Utilize the incredible amount of resources available online (see ligonier.org, desiringgod.org, truthforlife.org). Sing together. Keep Sabbath together. Worship God together. Pray for God's mercy.
4) This is a time of incredible outreach opportunity and witness. Our world trusts in medicine, technology, governments. But we trust in the name of the Lord our God! (See Psalm 20:7-8). Love your neighbors by reaching out to them. Offer to shop or run errands for those who may not be able to. Pray for the words that we may speak gospel truth into the conversations we have. Who knows what may be ahead for us, but God has called us to be salt and light, as Anthony said Sunday. I came across the following article that has much to recommend as we seek to honor God and display His love in a dark world and dark time: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-courage-might-corona-unleash.
We may record a sermon this coming Sunday but are still praying and undecided on that point. If not, we recommend especially tuning in to the broadcasts available at truthforlife.org. We hope to meet and discuss with our deacons what other opportunities we might have as a church to minister to our community. We will stay in touch. I don't have everyone's email address so please double check with others and share this information if needed. Reach out if you have questions or needs. We will also post info (if needed) on our church facebook page and website.
We love you all! And we are saddened that we won't get to magnify the Lord together in person this Sunday and possibly for a short while. God knows. He is with us. He yet calls us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. Seek the Lord and his strength. Seek his presence continually.
With our love and prayers,
Cory, Joel, Anthony