March 16, 2020
Dear Christ Community Family,
Thanks for your continual patience during this uncertain time where it seems like information, data, and facts continue to be ever-changing every single minute. Thanks also for those of you who joined our worship service in person or via Facebook Live yesterday. I pray that God's Word from 1 Peter 4 was a very important encouragement and challenge for you all to "live according to His Spirit."
As of Monday, March 16, the first deaths in regards to the COVID-19 Virus on Long Island occurred here in Suffolk County. Suffolk County has a reported 63 cases, Nassau County has 109, and New York state as a whole has 950 cases. (Source). Obviously the numbers will continue to fluctuate based on the increasing testing capabilities in the coming week. If you have been keeping up with the news, our county executive and governor has laid out several changes and guidelines in attempts to prevent the spread of the virus over the past 24-hours. The Church Council therefore has officially voted on our response in how we will proceed this week:
1. Tuesday Ladies Bible Study (3/17) is canceled
2. Tuesday AA Meeting (3/19) is canceled
3. Thursday Morning Prayer Gathering (3/19) is canceled
4. Saturday Men's Bible Study (3/21) is canceled
5. Saturday AA Meeting (3/21) is canceled.
6. Pastor James will be leading a special prayer meeting on Facebook Live on Thursday Night, March 19 from 7:00 pm to 7:20 pm. More information will be available on social media.
7. Council will hold a Special Meeting on Saturday, March 21 to pray, discuss and discern about our Sunday Worship Service and other church activities in regards to how we will proceed.
8. Council asks Congregation for continual prayer and patience during this time together as one church family. Council also asks that we come together for any of our "higher risk" church family members if there is a need.
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If you have any questions, needs, or pastoral concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to one of our council members. Matthew 10:29 reminds us that a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without our God the Father's permission. The devil may think they're winning because we're cancelling our bible studies this week. But I pray that this is an opportunity for our church family to let prayers and the proclamation of the gospel flow in any and every medium! Hope to see you on Facebook Live on Thursday. Please stay safe and healthy!
With love in Christ,
Pastor James
on behalf of the Church Council