May 21st, 2020 -
COVI-19 Update
Dear Church Family
–
As I’m sure
you all know by now, this past Wednesday, Governor Tim Waltz announced that Minnesota’s “Stay Safe – Phase II” begins on June 1st. Although this phase begins
to make it possible to open up some things, the recommendation for churches and faith-based organizations is to limit gatherings to 10 people or less.
Your Session met this
week – and has met frequently and prayerfully through this crisis – to discuss what worshipping together might look like in the future. We are working hard to develop a plan that will enable us to
open our building safely, when the time comes. We are still developing our plan (which includes removing pew cushions and asking folks to sit on the socially distant pew cushions remaining in the
sanctuary – and not singing together) and we will keep you updated regularly.
Please know that even
as we desire to be together to praise God in our beautiful sanctuary, we are also mindful of our call to care for those around us, especially the most vulnerable. At this time, caring for
others means staying home on Sunday morning. We are choosing to shape our life together around our concern for the welfare of our neighbors – choosing to leave the 99 safely at home for the sake of
the one, as it were.
So for the time being,
we will continue worshipping online. Each Sunday morning at 10 a.m. I will be streaming on Facebook. Bulletins will be available on our website and as part of our weekly email. I will also continue
to provide a “Daily Prayer and Devotional” each morning on Facebook at 10 a.m.
We will continue to
provide updates as things develop. I’m looking forward to offering some form of Wednesday Bible Study – either in an online format or as a small group. More information will come
soon.
Please know that I miss
you. And I am grateful for you – for the grace and good humor you have shared with me. You all remind me of the truth in Romans 8:38-39. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ
Jesus.”
Let us continue to be
church together.
Pastor
John
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