Re-gathering
Dear Faith Family,
The video below will explain the when and how we will begin regathering for public worship.
NOTE: it is not mentioned explicitly in the video, but we will continue live-streaming the service.
The video below will explain the when and how we will begin regathering for public worship.
NOTE: it is not mentioned explicitly in the video, but we will continue live-streaming the service.
Second letter to the congregation - Tuesday, March 17
Dear Faith Family,
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7
This is a crazy time on planet earth. And a wonderful time to be a Christian. We have a very unique opportunity to more deeply experience the blessings of our faith – the assurance of God’s presence and promises and love. We also have a unique time to more freely love our neighbor – we can display to them our faith in the face of chaos and fear, share with them our confidence in our God and His Word, and find ways to serve them in word and deed.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
We also are facing a unique consideration – should we still gather together for church services, or should we cancel? The elders talked at length about this. And we have decided that for the time being, we will cancel all our services (Wednesday evening, Sunday morning discipleship hour, Sunday School and worship service) and go to a live stream service on Sunday mornings at 10:30. This live stream service will have several people present (less than 10) to serve during the live stream and encourage whoever is preaching (so it is not an empty room!).
As our Governor has ordered a temporary prohibition on assemblies of over 50 people and our President has encouraged that all meetings have no more than 10 people, we believe that to do otherwise would be to potentially (and probably) dishonor the name of Christ and display a lack of love and concern in our community. This is what moved us to make this decision. It will be indefinite, but our hope is to be able to be back together on April 5th.
Over the next few days, our elders and deacons will be considering ways we can still be in fellowship together and ways we can be active in serving those around us. Please pray for us!
If you have any particular needs or are carrying any specific burdens, please reach out to your elders, deacons, or a brother or sister in Christ. This social distancing does not mean independence or isolation. You are loved!
With love, prayer, and hope,
Dave, Fred, and Robin
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7
This is a crazy time on planet earth. And a wonderful time to be a Christian. We have a very unique opportunity to more deeply experience the blessings of our faith – the assurance of God’s presence and promises and love. We also have a unique time to more freely love our neighbor – we can display to them our faith in the face of chaos and fear, share with them our confidence in our God and His Word, and find ways to serve them in word and deed.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
We also are facing a unique consideration – should we still gather together for church services, or should we cancel? The elders talked at length about this. And we have decided that for the time being, we will cancel all our services (Wednesday evening, Sunday morning discipleship hour, Sunday School and worship service) and go to a live stream service on Sunday mornings at 10:30. This live stream service will have several people present (less than 10) to serve during the live stream and encourage whoever is preaching (so it is not an empty room!).
As our Governor has ordered a temporary prohibition on assemblies of over 50 people and our President has encouraged that all meetings have no more than 10 people, we believe that to do otherwise would be to potentially (and probably) dishonor the name of Christ and display a lack of love and concern in our community. This is what moved us to make this decision. It will be indefinite, but our hope is to be able to be back together on April 5th.
Over the next few days, our elders and deacons will be considering ways we can still be in fellowship together and ways we can be active in serving those around us. Please pray for us!
If you have any particular needs or are carrying any specific burdens, please reach out to your elders, deacons, or a brother or sister in Christ. This social distancing does not mean independence or isolation. You are loved!
With love, prayer, and hope,
Dave, Fred, and Robin
Letter to the congregation - Friday, March 13
Dear faith family,
Your elders and deacons have been working together to consider what we should do in response to the coronavirus. We are striving to be wise and proactive during this global health concern.
At this time, we are not planning on cancelling our Sunday Services (Discipleship Hour, Worship Service, Liberia Ministry Report) this Sunday. This could change in a moment. We will make sure you are informed via our church communication program (call, email, text if you're signed up), our Facebook page, and our church website (www.cbcwallace.org) if things change.
We are planning to livestream this Sunday’s service. You can access this live stream on the church's YouTube channel found HERE.
Pastorally, we hope to guide you in this moment.
This is a time when many are captured by fear and panic grips hearts.
We believe that God is absolutely sovereign and fully wise and trustworthy at all times; therefore we must not panic or fear.
God commands that we not fear. And this command makes sense (and can be followed) when we know: 1.) who our God is – wise, sovereign, good, all-powerful; and 2.) who we are – under the perfect care of this God who loves us and calls us His children.
We must lean into our faith in troublesome times, and encourage our faith family to do the same.
This can also be a time when we lose sight of proper care for others. We are called to love our neighbor. This is a self-forgetting kind of love that will be very sensitive to the health concerns of others as an act of love. We should take precautions not merely for self-preservation, but as an act of love toward others we could possibly infect.
We must be a body of believers in a resurrected Christ who display faith in this time of uncertainty and fear; a faith that works through love (Galatians 5:6).
Practically, we have taken some measures for the well-being of all who attend services. The following precautions are being established:
- Children’s classrooms will be thoroughly sanitized after each class
- Regular sanitizing frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, table tops, etc.)
- The educational wing will be immediately closed off after church services
- We will have hand sanitizer available in various locations around the church (if we can get and maintain supplies)
- You will see various signs around the church with health related information
- We strongly emphasize that those who are sick must stay home
- We will suggest for all to refrain from physical touch (handshakes, hugs, etc.)
- We encourage those who would be more vulnerable to the coronavirus to stay home
- We want to very clearly encourage any who believe it wise to stay home as a matter of precaution, to do so freely
These precautions will be in place indefinitely. We are also considering further precautions we may have to adopt as time goes on. Some of those we are considering are:
- consideration of how we can be mobilized as a church to care for the sick, the vulnerable, the isolated
- considerations on how we might do the Lord’s Supper or take up the offering
We will be monitoring regulations and suggested guidelines that may adjust our formal meeting times.
Above all, let us not forget to pray.
If you have any questions or further concerns, please contact one of the elders or deacons.
On behalf of the elders and deacons,
Pastor Dave
PS: Here is some suggested reading that may be an encouragement to you
“Should Christians Be Anxious About the Coronavirus?” https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christians-anxious-coronavirus/
“Be a Good Neighbor” https://world.wng.org/2020/03/be_a_good_neighbor
“Songs of Comfort for Anxious Souls (Free Playlist)” https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/songs-comfort-anxious-souls/
“How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus” https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/children-coronavirus/
