*MARCH 18TH, 1:30PM UPDATE*
March 22nd and 29th Sunday Services will be online only. All other weekly scheduled meetings are suspended for the next 15 days.
Letter from our Pastor, Erik Erby –
Hey Church Family,
I pray, hope, and trust that you are well. As expected, this virus continues to escalate. We as a church are having to make many of the same decisions that you as a family are having to make. What are the essentials, the non-negotiables? What can we live without for the time being? I can’t tell you how difficult it has been weighing what to do with our weekly gatherings. On the one hand, I want to press forward, business as usual. We have Christ, there is nothing we fear! Yet on the other hand, I am doing my best to adhere to what we are being asked to do by our government. Where scripture talks about us “not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing”, it also says “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good”.
We as a church need to be doing our part. We need to heed the recommendations and suggestions of the rulers and authorities. So for the next “15 days”, really the next two Sundays (March 22nd and 29th), we will only have our services available to watch online. All other weekly scheduled meetings will be suspended as well. We will revisit everything as things move forward. If you need assistance in getting set up to view services online, please let us know. Pastors and church staff remain available to pray with you and minister to you, just call 817.473.1461.
Let us be clear, we are not forsaking meeting together. We are simply having to adjust during this time. Let me remind you that YOU ARE THE CHURCH, it has never been the brick and mortar of this building. For many of you, attending church has been something that has been present your whole life. These weeks will be more difficult for you. Know this, us doing our part does not make you weak, it does not make you fearful, it is not something that should bring you guilt. It is simply us trying to do our part.
We are doing everything we can to keep connected during this time. You will see live feeds from us throughout the week. You will see an email soon about other ways you can stay connected through this time. Utilize the weekly services online as well as the Sunday School lessons that we stream. Talk and read through scripture with your families. Find creative ways to meet your neighbors and serve them in this time.
I will leave you today with a passage from Hebrews that has been at the forefront of my mind these last few weeks:
Hebrews 10:35-39 – So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” BUT WE ARE NOT OF THOSE WHO SHRINK BACK AND ARE DESTROYED, BUT OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND ARE SAVED. (emphasis mine)
Sincerely,
Erik Erby
Senior Pastor of Walnut Ridge
817-473-1461