Things continue to change very rapidly with COVID-19. On Sunday afternoon, the CDC put out guidelines limiting groups to 50 or less. Yesterday afternoon, the White House called for limiting group sizes to no more than 10, and Governor Rickets followed the exact same advice when he recommended canceling all gatherings where there are 10 or more, including worship services, weddings, and funerals.
I have said, we would not cancel services unless this was the strong recommendation of our governing authorities or we had an outbreak in the congregation. Thankfully, we are not dealing with the later. So, at this time, we are cancelling all worship services, Bible studies and in person meetings for the next two weeks. After the two weeks, we’ll reevaluate the situation.
Psalm 46 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Please know that cancelling church, and other activities, is the last thing I want to do, but sometimes circumstances happen that are beyond our control. We need to do everything we can to “squash the curve” on this thing, and keep people safe, so that we all can get through this as quickly as possible.
In the 4th commandment, Luther, in his explanation says, “we should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.” So, on the one hand, we are to “fear not”, but on the other the governing authorities are telling us to “take action”. We are called to do both.
Please know that I, together with your Elders, are doing everything we can to make sure we are staying on top of this. We will also continue to publish sermons online as the message of Christ needs to be proclaimed and heard especially during these difficult and challenging times. You can help too. How, you ask? By calling a friend or elderly member of the congregation, offering to pray with them, asking them if there is anything you can do for them. We are the body of Christ. We need each other. We’ll make it through this, by the grace of God, we will make it through this!
Blessings,
Pastor Drebes
