It's been a Year Since Worship Moved Online

MARCH 15, 2020... will mark a year since our worship moved online.  During that time, no one in our congregation fell ill with Covid, though several had friends and family members who did. Some even died. We weren't able to resume gathering Holy Week 2020; nor does it look like we will be together in our sanctuary for Holy Week 2021; but we are hoping that perhaps it might be possible for Pentecost. The birthday of the Church would be an excellent time to once more gather in celebration of our Lord, and the gift of His Spirit.

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March 13, 2020

Dear Valley Covenant family,

It has been a hard decision to make and there is and will be some disagreement from very committed and thoughtful people, but I and your church council have decided that the faithful Christian thing to do in the present situation is to cancel all worship and Sunday School activities for this coming Sunday March 15. It seems likely that we will extend the cancellation beyond this Sunday and to other church activities, but this is what we have determined for now.

 

We are currently working on a plan to video stream or least provide an audio recording of some prayer, Scripture reading, music and my sermon on Sunday morning. We will offer more details about how to access that as soon as we can.

 

Everyone on the council, plus our two worship song leaders, as well as one or two others have prayed about and discussed this decision. A large majority of us feel that it is not an act of fear but of loving concern and service for our own members, and, importantly, for the community around us. We believe this is the best way to protect our most vulnerable members as well as to be ahead of a very possible upward curve of Covid-19 cases in Oregon and ultimately in our community.

 

Some of us have been studying I Peter and read in chapter 2 verse 12 that Christians should conduct themselves honorably among those around them, so as to give others no reason to impugn our goodness, in the hope, ultimately, that those who see how we behave might turn and glorify God. We believe we can do that best by exhibiting great caution with regard to the spread of a disease which worries many.

 

Nonetheless, our caution is not fear. It is love toward each other and toward our neighbors. We believe what it says in I John 4:8, "perfect love casts out fear." The best wisdom we discern at this time is that love implies prudent protection of our church family and through that, protection of others with whom we come in contact. If there is a future point when love calls us to some action or service to those who are sick or in need, then some of us may in love take risks in order to help in Christ's name. But we do not believe that time is yet.

 

In regard to service to others, you may wish to know that the Egan Warming Center system has taken out of our hands a decision about opening our church as a warming site next week. They have closed most church sites and will attempt to offer an Egan Warming site at the fairgrounds starting Saturday night.

 

Worship together is one of the most important, if not the most important, things we do as a church. I will deeply miss being physically present with all of you in the presence of our Lord. But we believe that we are bound together by a deeper unity through the Holy Spirit, who connects us with not only all God's people around the world today, but all those who have gone before. As you worship from home this Sunday, you may want to picture yourself in company with that great Church for which our Lord died and rose and which is one in His Holy Spirit.

 

And we always continue in trust in our loving Father. Psalm 46 is very appropriate for this season:

 

God is our refuge and strength,

 a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we shall not fear, though the earth should change,

though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.

 

We had planned to sing a hymn version of Psalm 46 on Sunday, "Great Hills May Tremble." This is the first verse:

 

Great hills may tremble and mountains may crumble,

God's loving kindness is ever secure;

Peace he will give to the contrite and humble:

So says the Lord--his promise is sure.

 

May the Lord bless you and your home and all those around you with that sort of confidence and peace and may you find His loving kindness always secure for you. I look forward to seeing you all again as soon as His grace gives us opportunity. I am praying that might definitely be in Holy Week and Easter.

In Christ's love,

Pastor Steve