Church Family,

I just wanted to inform our EP family that due to the current situation with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the precautions that many organizations are taking,  we have decided to cancel our weekend services.  We have been monitoring the situation closely this week, but we didn’t want to make a hasty decision.  Thank you so very much for understanding.

There is a lot that we don’t know about this virus but I wanted to suggest a few things to you:

1. Be Sensitive to the Real Threat – These measures are unprecedented, and they are not necessarily intended to protect me. They are meant to protect the 4% of our most vulnerable citizens. Do you know that 4% of the US population is 13,129,580 people? If more than 13 million people are suddenly fighting for their lives in hospitals all over the US, our healthcare system would not be able to manage it.
2. Be Sensitive to the Fear of Others – Often when panic ensues, there are some who “act out” in ways that might seem irrational to you.  Be sensitive to those people, remind them that God is in control, and demonstrate love and care no matter what.  The last thing you want to do is make fun of something that others have suffered or even died from.  Getting a cheap laugh is just not worth what it would cost you.  Instead of making trite comments on social media, politicizing this moment or being consumed with self-preservation, we should be asking:  How can we be the church in this season?  How can we glorify Jesus in this season?  How should be we praying in this season?  How can we serve and love others in this season?
3. Be Sensitive to God’s Voice Through God’s Word & Prayer–  I want to encourage everyone in our church family to take some time today to read and meditate on Psalm 91.  If we consume ourselves with the news reports and things on social media, we will only allow the fear to grow in our hearts and in our minds, and this is NOT God’s will for us.  2 Timothy 1:7 says that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.”  We must allow the Word of God, and not the news of the day to rule our mind and our emotions during this unprecedented time.  Now is the time for us to be praying for our President and those in leadership. There may be decisions we don’t understand but to quote A.W. Tozer, “While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who hasn’t surrendered His authority” Our President has declared tomorrow a National Day of Prayer; lets join together and pray for our nation.

We will be keeping our church family up to date through e-mail and social media about the status of upcoming services and any possible online devotions and creative ways to spiritually lead our families during this time.  Please know that our love, thoughts, and prayers are with each and everyone of you.

Blessings,

Pastor Richard