Yesterday, Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order which takes effect this evening at 5pm.
“Keeping Arizonans safe and healthy as we slow the spread of COVID-19 remains our top priority,” said Governor Ducey. “Arizona citizens and businesses are already responsibly responding to this crisis. This order builds on the state’s efforts to protect public health by reminding Arizonans to maintain healthy habits and find alternative ways to stay connected with friends and loved ones while spending time at home. Slowing the spread of COVID-19 will ensure we build capacity in our healthcare system, and help protect the lives of those we love most. It’s important to emphasize that there are no plans to shut down grocery stores. People should continue to buy what you need for a week’s worth of groceries. I’m grateful to everyone making adjustments to fight this virus and protect others. Arizona will get through this, and we’ll do it together.”
Under the Executive Order, Arizonans shall limit their time away from their place of residence or property, except:
- To conduct or participate in essential activities, and/or;
- For employment, to volunteer or participate in essential functions; or
- To utilize any services or products provided by essential business services;
- And for employment if as a sole proprietor or family owned business, work is conducted in a separate office space from your home and the business is not open to serve the public.
(Reposted from https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2020/03/stay-home-stay-healthy-stay-connected.)
In keeping with the earlier decision on behalf of the Voters’ Assembly by the Directors, Mr. Nathan Rovey, Mr. Joseph Osinski, and Mr. Noah Schoeneck, all church group activities will be cancelled until at least May 3, 2020, as our country, community and congregation continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and all its attendant problems. Necessary meetings will take place online. Services will continue to be offered via live-streaming.
I continue to be available for pastoral care, especially if someone should become seriously ill, but please be aware that many health care facilities are locked down and will not allow me to enter even in such situations. 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.
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