Coronavirus Letter to the CMBC
- Uncategorized
- March 12, 2020
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7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV, 2 Tim 1:7)
Greetings Concord,
May grace and peace be multiplied unto you.
The last few days, I have received a few texts, calls and emails regarding the Coronavirus, requesting my thoughts and how the church is going to respond….
Here is my faith response…
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind…. (KJV, 2 Tim 1:7)
And
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (KJV, Romans 8:28-39)
AMEN
In times of crisis we need clear and courageous leadership with a vision and direction.
Here is the CMBC Plan:
1. Don’t panic! Stay informed but don’t panic. We walk by faith and not by fear or by sight.
2. Come to Church. We will continue our present schedule of Bible Study, worship and other activities unless we receive a notice from the CDC and/or the State of IL or Chicago governmental instructions not to meet or congregate.
Note: If any cancellations need to happen, our plan is to use social media and on-line worship options. I know some of you all don’t like Facebook, but I suggest that you join it so that we can all stay connected. I will also be communicating via text and email. So please check frequently and respond accordingly.
3. If you feel sick or come in contact with the virus, go to the doctor and get checked. Also please do not come to church sick. Stay home and let us know so that we can pray for you and offer other support as possible.
4. To decrease opportunities for the spread of germs, everyone is asked to wash your hands and to use hand sanitizer. As you may know, supplies are backordered. If you happen to have extra, please consider bringing it to church for our use.
5. Lord’s Prayer, Selfie Moments and Fellowshipping. We have been advised not to shake hands. Here are the alternatives for greeting each other: elbow bump, peace sign, or smile widely.
6. Leaders are to use gloves and hand sanitize before and after they are handling money, credit cards, Baptism or the Lord’s Supper.
7. Church cleaning – All church spaces and items regularly used are to be thoroughly cleaned. Please use the soap and paper towels in bathrooms for hand washing.
8. If you choose to stay home for any reason, please watch our services via Facebook Live and give your tithes and offerings electronically through one of the following online giving options.
• Zelle/Chase Quickpay @ CMBC6319@gmail.com
• PayPal @ treasurer@concordmbchurch.org
• The CMBC @ website http://concordmbchurch.org/giving/
Finally, if you have any questions or are feeling overwhelmed by any of life’s changes and chances and want to talk, please feel free to reach out to me (773-363-1377) or one of our ministers, deacons or prayer leaders.
Love,
Pastor Phelps
