In last week’s eNewsletter, Pastor Bennett shared with the congregation steps our staff has been taking to deep clean the church facility in light of COVID-19. To be sure, this intense cleaning will continue. There is no doubt that, while he was writing that article, none of our pastors were contemplating suspending corporate worship for two Sundays. I can assure you of this: on a Sunday morning when the roads are full of snow, this decision is far easier. 

Let me thank our staff for not only helping with the cleaning efforts, but also fielding phone calls and emails, facilitating leaders with last-minute adjustments to their various ministries, and for doing all of this, quickly. Our staff has also had to be stouthearted because some ministries of CPC (Midweek and Music Ministries come to mind) happen only because of months of preparation. In these situations, cancellation is absolutely heart-wrenching. As for our teachers (nursery, children, youth, and adult), thank you for embarking upon the work ahead as you adjust your lesson plans. Finally, I am grateful for our communications team, as the redesign of the website has helped us communicate more clearly.  

As our decision to suspend corporate worship for two weeks was part of a developing decision-making process, you know by now that our church was not alone. This week, Elder Jason Coffey conversed with city officials and other faith leaders of our city to learn more, including hearing, again, the rationale and strategy of our mayor. As one mayor among many who is deferring to advice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and others, his special concern is the vulnerability of those age 60 and older, along with their contact with children, who can be carriers of COVID-19 while exhibiting none of the symptoms. 

As you know already, for the month of March, we have cancelled all Covenant events apart from Sunday morning corporate worship, which includes Sunday School for all ages, Midweek, all Youth Group activities, and the upcoming Marriage Conference. All nursery services, for any event, are also cancelled. 

We have also suspended our Sunday morning worship service for two weeks: March 15 and this upcoming Sunday, March 22. Just as we did last week, expect a full Sunday morning liturgy, as well as, a sermon guide, with discussion questions. 

These are the only decisions we have made, thus far. Please stay tuned to learn more from our leadership as to what additional steps we will be taking, if any. We would ask you to pray for us. 

As a church family, we want to care for our brothers and sisters who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. We also want to care for others impacted by various business closures related to COVID-19 precautions. We should anticipate that there are some in our church family who, as hourly workers, will be hit by unexpected financial challenges over these closures. We should also expect some in our church family to have a flurry of needs, both financial and otherwise, related to the many school cancellations. Please, as you are able, be sensitive to the needs of one another. Make phone calls to check on your brothers and sisters.  

I also suggest for those in need to reach out to our Mercy Committee by emailing . Our deacons maintain a fund to provide aid to those in need within our fellowship and in the surrounding community. I would also encourage you to reach out to your shepherding elder or any other elder by emailing any new prayer needs to . On the other hand, if you are able, you may make a contribution to the Diaconate Fund. This may be done using the envelope distributed in the worship bulletin on the first Sunday of every month, As well, you may email the Mercy Committee for other ways to contribute to this ministry. Your contribution will be used wisely, with much prayer.      

Again, thank you for being patient with your leaders as they guide our church family through an unprecedented time. To not gather for corporate worship leaves each of us with a sense of hurt and heaviness. This, we should expect. As we long for the Sunday we return together, let’s remember to fan the flame of affection for corporate worship, and let’s remember to place our hope in that Great Day when our King returns and we worship before His presence together and eternally. 

In God’s abundant grace

under the eternal King’s Rule,

Pastor Jones