Grace and peace to you all,
Please read my follow-up Covid-19 e-mail carefully.
My prayers have been with you, our community, nation, and the world as we face a pandemic caused by the Novel Coronavirus Covid-19. The Commonwealth announced this morning there are two confirmed and 20 presumptive cases of the virus in Montgomery County. We are currently the epicenter of the virus. Directives specific to our county given yesterday include closing public schools and licensed child care centers. Though Bright Beginnings is a non-licensed program, it has followed North Penn SD’s lead in the past and will do so today: Bright Beginnings is closing from March 13-27, 2020.
The directives further place a ban on gatherings larger than 250 people. While our weekly worship attendance falls well below that number, after consulting with my administrative cabinet, we have made the following decisions: Sunday’s Worship Service, Sunday School, and youth group activities are suspended on March 15, 2020. Furthermore, to protect our building’s users, all other church-related and non-church activities are suspended through March 27, 2020.
These decisions have not been made to foment panic or anxiety; they have been made to cooperate with the Commonwealth’s government official directives, to set an excellent example for the community, and to protect each other from unnecessary exposure to the virus. A follow-up e-mail will be sent about the Wednesday Lenten Service at First Baptist Church and the worship service on March 22, 2020, including the brunch to be served at Manna on Main.
In the meantime, be calm and filled with courage. I ask you to offer this prayer:
O God of all hope, we pray for all living in anxiety and fear today.
For all fearing illness, isolation, economic turmoil, and people’s reactions to the unknown, we pray you will pour out your Holy Spirt’s peace and calm. We pray for your church in these uncertain times. We pray you will strengthen decision-makers and uphold the resolve of the church’s faithful witnesses to our community. We pray for the grace of your wisdom and insight. Help us turn our eyes, minds, and hearts to you, O giver of every perfect promise. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Be assured that my prayers continue for you all.
Peace and goodness, Pastor Bill.