March 2020
Isaiah 43:1
“Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.”
Dear Parents and Youth,
After much prayer and discussion, St. Philip's has decided to cancel all youth activities until further notice. This decision is made, not out of fear, but out of love and care for our church family, our neighbors, and the most vulnerable people in our community.
 
A large number of our church is over the age of 50, and many of our amazing and self-less volunteers are in the most vulnerable population affected by this virus. These individuals demonstrate Christ’s lavish love each and every day at church serving behind the scenes through our various ministries. Our church would not be the same without them. They do so much for us, it is time for us to do as much as we can for them.
 
A pastor friend shared, “We are loving our neighbors by protecting our neighbors. We are not being fearful, we are being responsible. This is what love requires of us during this season.”
 
Even if the general “threat” remains low for our young people, the risk of spread to vulnerable people we love is high. While school is out, many of our youth are staying at home with their grandparents while their parents are at work. Furthermore, county Public Health has asked all parents to keep their children home from all public gathering places like malls and movie theaters. The best way to stop the rapid spread of this virus is to stay home for the time being. The most socially responsible choice in showing love and care for the most vulnerable people around us is to suspend youth activities.
 
People do need the church during this time, but let us not confuse a service or Sunday school with the Church. The question is, how can we be the Church to one another during this time of great need?
 
Even though we will not have youth group, I am available to talk with any volunteers, parents, and youth who want to talk, read scripture, and pray.
 
Here are things I encourage everyone to do!
 
1. Pray daily! Pick up a Bible and a Book of Common Prayer and pray for those most impacted by this virus. Pray as a family every night. Evening Compline is perfect way to do this!
 
2. Limit watching the news to less than an hour a day. Do not leave news channels on during the day. Ever since 9/11, we learned that the 24-hour news networks constantly expose youth to troubling news about the world. This contributes to higher levels of anxiety and depression for youth and children as the mental images continue to loop in their mind. Parents, turn off the TV!
 
3. Make a daily schedule. Work and School do far more for people’s mental health than they realize, because they provide structure for the day. Please set a schedule for your family that includes physical activity, homework, chores, meals together, and time to talk.
 
4. Play as a Family! Play is therapeutic. Play burns off tension and alleviates fear. Play games. Turn up the music LOUD and dance together. This is the time to ramp up or create new family traditions of play. This can be a significant bonding time for your family. Parents and kids, get off your phones and create some fun memories with your family every day!
 
5.Please limit screen time and interaction on social media on your phones to less than two hours a day. The screen time leads to heightened levels of cortisol in your body which will increase stress, anxiety, and depression.

6. Communicate with us. Share prayer requests with us. If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, please let us know so we can talk with you. If you get sick or put yourself under strict quarantine, please tell us so that clergy can arrange pastoral care for you and your family. We want to hear from you!
 
Finally, we love you, God loves you, and we are going to get through this together!

In Christ,
David Gilbert and the Youth Staff

Cell #843-708-3795
Words of comfort!
Matthew 4:23-25
23  And Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and  proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.   24  So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.  25  And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
A message from Dr. Rob & Amy Rienow
Founders, Visionary Family Ministries  

How to Talk with Your
Kids about the Coronavirus

Dear Friends, 

All of our lives are being impacted by the virus. Don't miss this opportunity to talk with your children.  Here are seven things your kids and grandkids need to know.  (Don't miss the special video at the bottom of this email)

1. God is in control.

None of this is a surprise to God. This did not catch Him off guard in any way. In fact, He has allowed this virus to exist. God is not like us. He is never worried, never fearful, and never out of control. He is in charge of the history of the entire Universe, from beginning to end. 

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. - 1 Chronicles 29:11

2. God never wants His children to be afraid.

If we are children of the King, and the King is in full control, there is no need for fear. After all, what is the worst that can happen? We could die. What happens then? Paradise and Heaven await! Of course, we do not seek death, but Christians should never fear it. This world is not our home. Our bodies are going to break down, get sick, and die one way or another.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:7

For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21

3. God instructs his children to be wise.

In Proverbs 22:3 God tells us, "The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it." This is not an instruction to panic but to be wise. It is wise to wash our hands. It is wise to stay home if we are sick so that we do not put ourselves or others at risk. 

4. God calls us to love our neighbors.

This is a special opportunity for followers of Jesus to demonstrate His love, humility, and compassion. Do you have elderly members of your family, church, or neighborhood? Ask how you can serve them. Are your friends or family members fearful? Encourage them to put their faith in God. For some, there will be significant financial impact during these weeks and months. If you are in a more stable financial position you can help by continuing to shop. Hopefully, you already tip generously, now is the time to be super generous. Your family can also help by contributing to trusted Christian charities who are on the front lines helping those in need.

5. God tells us to submit to the authorities

It is hard to see schools, businesses, sports teams, special events and other things that we care about being suspended or cancelled. These are difficult decisions for our government and institutional leaders. We may not like or support those decisions, but we should submit to them with a spirit that trusts that God is accomplishing His purposes. There are times when Christians should reject laws and instructions from government leaders, but only when those laws forbid us from obeying the Bible.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.   Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. - Romans 13:1-2

6. When we are anxious, God wants us to pray

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6

In every situation when we are anxious, we should pray. How should we pray in light of this virus? First, give thanks. Thank God for His power and goodness. Thank Him for your life and His blessings. Second, present your requests to Him. Pray for this virus to subside, worldwide. Pray for health and protection for your family and those in your community. Pray for God to bless and give wisdom to all our government leaders. Pray against any spirit of hatred and division. Pray for people who are lost and far from God to call out to Him and be saved. If we do these things, God promises that He will give us His peace and guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

7. Share the Good News of Jesus

Those who don't know Jesus may be especially afraid right now. They may also have a lot of questions, confusion, and even anger. When we think face sickness of any kind, our thoughts should turn to Jesus and the Gospel. Why is there sickness in the world? Because of sin. There was no sickness or death in the world until Adam and Eve sinned (Romans 5:12). Their sin (and ours) brings physical death and spiritual death in hell. It was into this world of sin that Jesus came, taking our sin, paying the price of death for us on the cross, and then conquering sin and death through his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).

Jesus did not die and rise again to give us perfect health and life forever on this Earth. He has something far greater planned. These bodies are all going to die. This entire world will be wiped away. For those who have their names written in the Book of Life, they will receive new perfect bodies that will never die, and they will live forever, with God, on a brand new physical Earth forever (Revelation 21:1-8).

Is your name written in the Book of Life? Are the names of your friends and family members written in the book? Share this Gospel message with them. Invite them to repent of their sins and put their faith in Jesus to save them. 
Dr. Rob & Amy Rienow
Founders, Visionary Family Ministries 
Click the link below to watch a video
David Gilbert | St. Philip's Church | 843-708-3795 | dgilbert@stphilipschurchsc.org