Hi Church Family,
I'll say it plainly: We will not gather in homes for worship under Word and Sacrament today. We do have another plan to encourage one another today. Let me tell you why we decided this, and our new plan.
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The Decision
We have been receiving almost hourly updates, a new data has come out over the night and morning, and we simply did not have unanimous support from our sources or unamimous comfort with the plan to move forward as we communicated yesterday.
This was not driven from fear or worry. In fact, scripture specifically tells us “do not worry.” We believe we are obedient to Christ in this.
Instead, we are driven by love and wisdom and the desire to be as wise as we can be and serve our community as best we can. I know many of you will be disappointed, and others relieved. Let's make sure we are gracious and tender-hearted to one another in these days.
Thanks for your flexibility as plans have changed. Many days ago we created a Plan A, B, C, D, E, F and G. So we are working out way down :). Keep staying tuned!
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2. The New Plan
BUT WE DO HAVE A PLAN TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER TODAY!
******We do have an alternative plan to gather for a Zoom meeting, online at 4:3pm today. We will meet online for a chance to have a devotion and pray and to encourage one another and speak the truth in love to one another. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE PRESENT IN THIS FORMAT.******
This is not Grace’s Gathered worship service moving online. We would need communion, and bodily presence for Grace’s Gathered worship to be Grace’s gathered worship. It is important that we think of it this way.
We will grieve what we will miss today: That we couldn’t gather under Word and Sacrament.
But we will be eager to see what the Lord might do through words of encouragement and prayer today. Who knows what he could be doing among us?
Here is a link to the Zoom Meeting that will be held at 4:30pm today. Anyone wishing to join will need to download Zoom (it only takes a few minutes) BEFORE the meeting commences. Please make an effort to download before 4:00pm, so you can be ready at 4:30pm. See the invitation below.
*****Again you must download Zoom to join before the meeting******
You should simply be able to link on the link below, "Join Zoom Meeting."
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Joel Busby is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grace Fellowship Time of Prayer
Time: Mar 15, 2020 04:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 429 991 202
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This is our plan for today only and we will make other plans day by day next week.
I love you all. A few final thoughts...
1. Please let me know if you need me. I'm happy to help you. I will set up FaceTime sessions to pray for you. I can help you with any pastoral support you need.
2. We are mobilzing plans to serve our community. Stay tuned on that.
3. Keep in touch with one another. With your Home Group, with our elders and our team.