Special Message

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

After much thought, a decision was made to change our service for Sunday, March29th. Confession and Absolution, along with communion will be offered to four people at a time.

A take home bulletin will be provided as well as e-mailed so that you may read the service at home. No other events will be held at the church and the fellowship hall will be closed to everyone except the Pastor, Secretary, Treasurer and President. This decision was not made lightly by me or your council President, but taking into account that the majority of our members fall into the higher-risk categories we felt it necessary out of Christian love for one another to heed the recommendations of the governing authorities and health care professionals to limit our exposure to one another. We do not do so in fear, for our Lord is far more powerful than this virus, we do so out of love for our neighbor.

These are unprecedented times at least in recent memory, we were not trained in seminary for an event of this magnitude. Some may see this decision as cowardly and others may see it as not having been made soon enough. I ask for your forgiveness on both counts, as well as your patience and even more for your prayers. My desire is always to be in worship with my friends, but my desire is also to see them healthy and happy. So the sacrifice of a few weeks of closed doors has been made. But the church is never closed. We will continue to bring you God's word.

We are also working on a way to serve the elderly in our community who need supplies and are unable to leave their household by arranging pick-up time with local grocery stores where people may call in their lists and pay, and we will pick them up and deliver them. We are currently working on a list of guidelines and a newspaper article that will hopefully be published in the paper by next week. I am also working on a way to provide the Lord's Supper to all members who would like to receive it while still obeying the recommendations of the state of AL.

So once again I ask for your prayers, and please know that I, the officers, and elders of the church are using these two weeks wisely to continue providing God's grace and mercy in other creative ways.

How can you assist?

• Prayer. Start a prayer chain with family and friends.
• Call those in the care centers and pray with them. If you need a list I can provide one.
• Share updates with others, let them know what's going on especially those without Facebook or Internet.
• Start a family devotional time at home, use this time wisely, read God's Word together and when all is said and done come back to God's house ready to receive His gifts together.
• While the church is not here for financial gain it is important to mention. Please consider continuing to provide your financial support to the church, especially if we have to remain closed for an extended period of time. Our bills will still need to be paid but we will not be able to collect an offering during this time. Instead you can mail your offerings to the church, they will be picked up and deposited by the financial committee. We understand that this outbreak has also had a significant impact on employment and the economy, we only ask for your support as you are able to give. If you cannot give financially your prayers are more than sufficient and we pray that we can provide for you in return.
• If you have a suggestion for how to serve others or to help Christ's Church during this time please share your ideas with us!

Those these are difficult times friends, I want to leave you with some encouragement. During difficult times Luther relied heavily on these words from Psalm 46 "God is our refuge and strength. a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though mountains tremble at its swelling." The Psalmist continues in verse 10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Take refuge in the Lord friends. Stay healthy and safe, and may we see each other in person soon.

In the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rev. David Witt