How are you doing in the midst of this national pandemic crisis? Please let us know if you have any special needs that we can be of help with. As a church staff, we have been continuing on with our regular schedule, filtered through the state and national government guidelines that change regularly. We always said that at Terrace Shores, we often ‘fly by the seat of our pants’ as regards our long range planning, but these days, our whole country is having to do that! What this has meant for our church family (and most churches), is a very different approach to ministry.

During this crisis, we have had to find ways to worship God, to encourage one another, and to learn God’s Word, without coming together in groups. Thus far, we have been able to video our Sunday Morning Services and put them on our church website and Facebook page. Hopefully you have been able to worship with us through that means. This Sunday (March 29), we are planning to live stream our worship service at 9 a.m., with the recorded copy being online shortly after that.

Our small groups have each made their own decisions about whether to continue meeting, and if so, how to meet. Ryan has provided information to small group leaders about using online resources for meeting together, should the group want to do that.

Regarding visiting hospitals and nursing homes, that is pretty much off limits to pastors and most family members. Accessibility is largely restricted to the workers in those health care facilities. Some of us are working in areas that are especially busy these days (such as health care, grocery stores, and various trades), others have transitioned to working from home, and still others have had their work load greatly reduced or even eliminated. May God give you each His strength and peace in the midst of whatever circumstance you find yourself.

Just this morning I was reading some of God’s message through Moses to the people of Israel, before they entered the promised land. God warned them that if and when they turned away from Him, they would be scattered among the nations. That happened during various exiles of the Jewish people. But He also reminded them that they would again find Him when they seek Him with all their heart and soul. And then He told them the reason why….Deut. 4:31 “For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.” That tells us something very important about the character of God. He is merciful and He keeps His Word and His covenants. May that comfort our hearts, and also give us a desire to imitate Him in that.

Thank you for praying for one another, reaching out to one another, and seeking to encourage and help those in need. May God help us live faithfully as His people in these days whatever may come, and may He give you joy along the way.

Grace and Peace,

Gary