COVID-19

How Can We Help?
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With COVID-19 back on the rise, social distancing measures, and restrictions on public facilities are once again being imposed. As these measures were first introduced in March, churches scrambled to move their services online. Most started conducting services on Facebook Live, some went to YouTube, and many gathered via Zoom.

It is not our intention to close the doors of the church building, however, we recognize the need to be able to connect as a church while keeping a safe distance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, we will offer our teaching online, as many churches have done.

However, a church is not a church if it doesn’t “gather.” That is, if we do not come together and encourage and pray for one another. During this pandemic, “gathering” in person may be limited, however, in this age of technology, gathering can also be done virtually.

The easy answer is to use Facebook Live and Zoom. However, there must be some more ways we, as a church, can come together virtually and safely, and keep everyone connected and lifted up. We are seeking ideas. Feel free to post your comment below, or send us a message via the contact form below.

May God bless you, and keep you safe.

Hope (Daniel 9:24)

sky sunset person silhouette

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Daniel was a man who had done everything right, yet, time after time, adversity and tribulation troubled him. Captured from his homeland of Israel during his younger years, he was one of several elite captives taken from Israel and enslaved in Babylon.

Though Daniel’s assignment wasn’t the worst, he worked personally for the Babylonian king, he still faced troubles, from impure foods being offered, to being thrown in the lions’ den, to seeing his friends thrown in the fiery furnace. (Daniel and his friends were delivered from all of those, by the way).

By the time we get to Daniel 9, the Babylonian empire has been conquered by the Medo-Persian empire, and Daniel is now working for another king. Having lived through the entire Babylonian captivity, Daniel now sees the light at the end of the tunnel,  and the captivity is coming to a close.

Daniel sees God’s deliverance coming, and it is at this time that God begins to show Daniel how He will redeem His people and restore the nation of Israel. In Daniel 9:24, the Lord gives us his plan:

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

God would redeem His people, and restore His nation, by ending man’s rebellion, cleansing man from sin, and establishing His Kingdom on earth. Listen to Pastor Leland Acker discuss this message of hope below:

Don’t Forget This

One of the worst parts of the COVID-19 outbreak is the unknown. We don’t know what it will do, how long this will last, how many more cases there will be, and how this will change life.

Thinking on these things leads to fear, and fear leads to anger. We’re noticing a lot of frustration being vented on social media today. However, one thing we must remember is that everyone is in the same boat. We’re all concerned, and we’re all being affected.

Philippians 2:4 says, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

This means, first of all, to consider each others’ needs. Secondly, this means to see things from the other’s perspective. Their perspective, and the details of their lives, are unknown to us.

The lady with the two shopping carts of stuff from the grocery store may be shopping for herself and her neighbor. The person who is traveling through town in spite of the advice to social-distance may have obligations that he must meet, or people who need his help.

Seeing the other’s perspective breeds empathy and empathy brings forth love, which in turn brings forth more empathy.

So, as you go through your day today, be mindful of how this situation may be affecting others. Try to see their point of view. And if you have the opportunity to help your neighbor, please do.

May God bless you, and may God cut this crisis short.