Dear Rehoboth Church Family,
In accordance with Centers for Disease Control recommendations and Virginia Governor’s mandate issued March 15, we will cancel all church activities through March 27 including Sunday morning worship service and Sunday school this coming Sunday, March 22, 2020, to limit exposure to the Coronavirus COVID-19. However, we will be available by phone, text, and email, or you may catch us at the church during regular office hours Monday thru Thursday.
I know it is disconcerting, to say the least, to be limited in our fellowship and worship together as a church family. What makes it even more disturbing is not knowing how much worse it could get before getting better. We haven’t faced anything like this before and it can be frightening, so I wanted to share some Bible verses that will help us bring our hearts and minds in line with God’s Word. Read them not as individual verses, but as a united expression on the subject of trusting God during difficult times.
Many hundreds of years ago, in times of great distress, the psalmists and prophets said: What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.1 For God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.2 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.3 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 4 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.5 My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.6
We live in a world filled with uncertainty, but not without the certainty that as believers our “times are in God’s hands.”7 We do not have to face any tragedy in life alone. We know that God will help us and strengthen us according to the promises in His Word.8
Two things we can do during these uncertain times:
1. We Can Praise God:
– That He has made Himself known to us.
– That we can still have fellowship with Him without restrictions.
– That we have a splendid opportunity to witness by lip and life regarding the hope we have in us through faith in Jesus Christ.
2. We Can Pray:
– For an end to the spread of this virus.
– Healing for those infected with it, and grieving over losses.
– Protection for our families, church family, community (especially those most vulnerable), and outward from there.
– To be Salt & Light to all those around us that they might see our good works and glorify our Heavenly Father.
May our kindness and compassion as followers of Jesus Christ bring much
light into this present darkness and beyond.
God Bless You.
1 Psalm 56:3; 2 Psalm 46:1-3; 3 Isaiah 26:3; 4 2 Timothy 1:7; 5 Isaiah 40:29; 6 Psalm 73:26; 7 Psalm 31:15; 8 Isaiah 41:10
