March 20, 2020
Dear Faith Family,
Your Session and Staff have been prayerfully attentive to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation in order to ensure we do our part in loving each other well through these uncertain times. Out of that commitment we intend to be compliant with guidelines presented by our local, state and federal leaders. Therefore, all regularly schedule programming is on hold until further notice, and the Church Work-Day, Community Easter Egg Hunt, and Maundy Thursday Seder are cancelled. To stay connected with one another we are doing our best to make virtual opportunities available. We will continue to maintain an office presence in order to enact those opportunities and preserve ongoing communication, but please call or email the office rather than visiting in person.
The primary way we hope to provide connection is through sharing in a Sunday morning virtual worship service. Each week we will be sending you a link to this shortened service prepared with all of you in mind. Whether you are gathered as an individual, couple or family, it will allow us to join together in prayer, song, and God’s Word wherever we are. May we encourage you to consider doing the following to enhance our worship experience:
- Create a space for your worship that prepares you to be with God. Think about using a certain room or certain area in a special room where you can be reflective and attentive to Him. In that space, consider lighting a candle as you begin your time of worship. As we light candles all over the Longview area, may we be reminded that though we are not together in person, we are together in worship.
- Commit to a certain time for your household to worship together. Maybe 9:30 is the best time for you, but maybe not. Choose the best time and commit to it together.
In these and many other ways we are stepping into a season where we are being called to reconsider the habits of our lives, the commitments in our lives, the priorities of our lives. This means anxiety, uncertainty and grieving for us and the larger community(ies) of which we are a part. This means there are continued needs that will be emerging. Please know your leadership is committed to listening to those needs as we seek the mind of Christ together. God is not surprised by any of what is going on and now, as ever, he is calling us into his service together. We will listen.
Together with you,
Your Longview EPC Elders
Doug Ashley, Buck Birdsong, Cindy Brelsford, Kerri Daugbjerg, Kathy Diamond, Shawn Frazier, Shelley Kral, Michael McMahon, Eric Skoog, Matt Yost, Lisca Van Zyl
