Our Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ at Trinity, and Fellow-Members of Our Community:
As most of us are well aware by now, the ongoing worldwide situation concerning Coronavirus (COVID-19) has forced innumerable adjustments for individuals, families, businesses, organizations, and governments nearly everywhere. Most of us are more or less sheltering at home, many of us have been laid off from jobs, many are still operating businesses but with far fewer customers and income, and many of us who are still working are doing so from home or with significant changes in our activities or modes of operation. The good news is that our limitation of public activities has reduced our risks and kept many of us healthy.
Even though many of us have weathered this storm very well thus far, however, it is now apparent that social distancing and restriction of public activities will continue for the next month…and hopefully no longer. With that in mind, we announce the following plans for the next few weeks:
All public worship services are on “pause” until further notice.
We regret to announce that no public worship services are planned until further notice, which is when we receive notice from the public health authorities. We especially regret that this will almost certainly include Easter Sunday, which for this year is 12 April. See below for more plans concerning “Easter Sunday” when we are back to normal operations. This pause includes our Sunday School and Adult Bible Education classes, and the fellowship times which normally follow both worship services. Meanwhile, congregational leaders will continue to be in regular contact with one another, and will announce plans as soon as possible regarding resumption of public worship activities.
Online worship is available!
As many are aware already, over the past few weeks we have by trial and error learned new ways to communicate and hold worship. So…an online worship service has been posted on our website (www.tlcinwalden.com) for every Sunday. Please join us!
In addition, as a service to the congregation and community, Pastor Steven Ware will be available at Trinity on Sunday mornings to lead a prayer meeting for anyone who would like to come (8am-12n). We of course respect the decisions of all who prefer not to join us at that time, and in fact encourage anyone with health concerns to stay at home and exercise caution in all activities.
Holy Week
Watch our website as well for two valuable offerings during Holy Week. Although we will not be able to worship together on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, look for the “Seven Words from the Cross” which will feature seven short meditations by seven speakers on the words of Jesus from the cross. In addition, look for the “Passion Narrative” featuring the Biblical text and scenes from the Last Supper through Jesus’ burial.
In the meantime…
Encourage one another. Although we may not be able to meet together as we prefer, we can still heed the Biblical admonition to “stir up” and “encourage one another” by using the technological tools available to us through the telephone, internet, etc. Please continue to check on one another, especially the ill and elderly. All of us, at any age, appreciate those expressions of concern.
Be a witness. In this time of distress and uncertainty, our neighbors and associates need more than ever to see the image of Jesus in us. As we share one another’s burdens and express our trust in God through the midst of this public crisis, the Holy Spirit can use us as his witnesses to a world that needs Jesus. Remember Jesus’ words, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).