Our Family at Northway
This past Monday, our President said that they are advising groups no larger than 10 to congregate for the next 15 days. Our President is not an alarmist, but he also said that these Coronavirus challenges could continue through next July or August, after which the Dow plummeted 3000 points, its largest one-day loss ever. In addition to what has happened to our school systems and with the NCAA tournament, NBA, NASCAR, MLB, NHL, and the Kentucky Derby, I think all of us have been surprised at the potential threat this Coronavirus posed. With this in mind, we are cancelling our gatherings at NCC through the first Sunday of April, the 5th. I hope and pray that we might be able to join again in corporate worship on Easter Sunday, April 12th, to celebrate the only risen Savior this world will ever know, but even that is uncertain at this point.
I have thought about, prayed for, and reached out to some of our most vulnerable, our senior adults. To my knowledge, everyone appears fine at this point and/or is surrounded by a good family support system. Do you know of any exceptions? If so, please let me know. By the way, two families took the initiative to call me this week and asked me if there were any senior adults in need to whom they could minister. How could I not have spiritually tender thoughts toward such kind, generous Christian people like that?!
Now, for some good news—At the suggestion of David Adams, we are going to live stream our worship service this coming Sunday morning at 10:30. This is all so very new to me, and we would not be able to do this without the expertise of David and others. I’ll give you more information on Saturday as to how to live stream this worship service, but this will allow us to equip you to worship in your respective homes as we adapt to a new way of gathering as a church, and it will also help to keep us connected
I want to thank, in advance, all of our musicians who will practice together at NCC on Saturday in preparation for Sunday, and then who will also lead in the live streaming broadcast on Sunday morning at 10:30. As a part of that worship experience, Mark Heffelfinger will be leading us in a Bible study for those who would normally be studying the book of Romans during the Sunday School hour. And then I will be preaching a timely, biblical, practical message as well. In fact, I pray that you’ll want to share it with others within your circle of influence so that we will all be more fully equipped to face the uncertainties of this Coronavirus pandemic.
With God’s help, we will overcome the Coronavirus, just like we have overcome other major challenges throughout human history. These types of struggles, though, can have a very healthy way of reminding us how fragile life can be, and how dependent we are upon the Lord for His protection and comfort. May we respond with a strong faith and grateful hearts, and may we point others to the peace that can be experienced by knowing the only Savior this world will ever be able to know.
Devotedly your pastor,
Bill Blanchard