Covid-19. Two months ago, we were just beginning to hear of it, now it seems to have taken over our lives. Who could have expected school cancellations, working at home, and constant talk of social distancing? In the midst of the chaos, we need Jesus Christ more than ever! As a pastor, I want to bring you calm and peace, comfort and hope, and to assure you of God’s presence and power, love and grace.
We have been busy this week trying to figure out how to do that when we cannot always meet face to face. We launched our new website, evolved worship to offer a livestream service, and we are trying to determine how best to keep connected these next weeks until restrictions start to lift. We are asking, How can we best be in ministry for Salem and Newton?
Sunday we will not have Sunday school. We will have worship available by livestream both on our Facebook account and on our new website and encourage as many as practical to use these options. For those who worship in person, practice social distancing by having empty pews ahead and behind you and spacing out with 8 feet between others in your pew. Weird, no?
Our service will begin with a prelude, so if you are seeing a picture of the sanctuary and hearing music, you are connected. We will not have words on the screen for now, so have your bible with you if you would like to follow along. Feel free to send prayer requests by 4pm Friday. However, we will not provide names during our livestream. Then Monday we will send out Salem prayers in an All Church email.
Some cancellations: Monday’s Education Team. Lenten Study, Companions will take a few weeks off.
Not cancelled: Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Grace, you get the idea. Reflect on all we have rather than all we cannot do right now.
Help us get word out to Salem members without email or web access. And help us get out word to our community who might benefit from a livestream worship opportunity. Support connect with each other! Call or send a card to those who cannot get out.
Pastor Ron