Yesterday morning
President Donald Trump issued guidelines on Monday for Americans to follow over the next 15 days to help avoid spread of the novel coronavirus but did not take drastic measures such as imposing a national quarantine or curfew. The new guidelines call on Americans to avoid social gatherings involving groups of 10 or more.
(https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/16/coronavirus-task-force-hold-briefing-live-updates/5057442002/, accessed March 16, 2020)
On behalf of the Voters’ Assembly, the Directors, Mr. Nathan Rovey, Mr. Joseph Osinski, and Mr. Noah Schoeneck, have decided to pause all church group activities for at least two weeks as our country, community and congregation learn to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and all its attendant problems. Some committees may meet during this pause.
I am available for pastoral care, especially if someone should become seriously ill. The proclaiming of the good news about Jesus must not pause, because “it is the power of God unto salvation.” The Gospel is needed by all, so please make use of the many, many resources available on this website. The work of the congregation continues unabated, so please make use of the online giving capabilities of this website to make your offerings for the Lord’s Work. Everyone will be impacted by this situation, and it is human nature to only give at worship services. Please give to the work even though you are not physically present at the church building, “setting aside an amount in keeping with your income.” If you wish, you may also mail your offering to the church or save it up and bring it with you when the services resume.
In these times of pestilence (never thought I would write that phrase), we are encouraged by those who have gone before us and have suffered through terrible plagues. We especially give thanks to the Lord with the thoughts of Pastor Martin Rinckart. While conducting countless funerals for the dead of the Thirty Years War and the Great Pestilence of 1637, he penned these faith-filled words, “Now thank we all our God / with heart and hands and voices, / who wondrous things has done, / in whom his world rejoices; / who from our mothers’ arms / has blessed us on our way / with countless gifts of love, / and still is ours today.”
Our God is in control and will protect us and will deliver us from this valley of the shadow of death to Himself in the bright courts of heaven above.
—Pastor Phillip K. Lepak
Special thanks to Rev. Edward Bryant for sending me his letter, on which this letter is based.