“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29.11
March 24, 2020
Dear Christ Church family,
Twelve days ago, Smith County reported the first cases of local residents testing positive for the Novel Coronavirus, or Covid 19.
Since then, the lives of everyone in our community have changed dramatically. Jobs have been lost. Savings and investment income have been heavily affected. Many people have not left their homes. When we do, people are careful to observe personal space with others, washing and disinfecting their hands frequently throughout the day.
Almost overnight, our habits have changed. We worship over
YouTube
and
Facebook
. We aren’t going to restaurants. Our inboxes are flooded with emails from businesses and offices assuring us of their cleanliness or sharing new public health protocols.
In the midst of this global health emergency, God is faithful. He created you. He loves you. And as Jeremiah 29 reminds us, God has great plans for you.
Jeremiah wrote those words 2,500 years ago to Israelites who had been taken by force to Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem.
We are far from that type of crisis. God is faithful and loving. Life in Tyler will recover.
For the coming two Sundays - March 29 and Palm Sunday, April 5 - God willing, Christ Church will continue to exclusively worship together at 11:00 over our YouTube channel and over Facebook Live. Moreover, we will continue to pray together, offering Morning Prayer every Monday through Friday through our website beginning at 7:00 a.m.
When we are able, we eagerly look forward to gathering once more in our downtown nave and in Carr Hall at Christ Church South to worship the Lord, fellowship, and grow in faith together. This Lent has, indeed, been a wilderness season. But as Easter approaches, we know that there is new life before us, and these trying days will end.
If you need help, we are here for you. Call or email the church. Join the community for Sunday worship and weekday prayers. And please continue to give. Our congregation depends on the financial support to sustain our ministry to the Christ Church family and the Tyler community.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
David+
