Dear Mt. Zion Family,
The COVID-19 epidemic has forced so many changes, as more and more people are infected and even dying. We are saddened. At times like these, we can turn to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and release our cares and our worries to him in prayer. We should do that ALL the time, not just in times of trouble. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:31-33,
“Don’t worry and ask yourselves, ‘Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?’ Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” (CEV)
Government guidelines for “safe distancing” and quarantine have caused us to cancel all activities (worship, meetings, ministries) for the time being. It would not surprise me if we are forced to cancel Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter services, although we can’t say for sure yet.
Even though we are not able to gather for Sunday worship at our beautiful church, we are still able to worship together by way of the Internet as long as the present emergency lasts. And you can join us online, if you have Internet access. Here are the instructions. Hopefully you can get assistance if needed.
- Worship begins at 11:00 each Sunday morning. We will actually begin our Internet ‘broadcast’ at about 10:55 AM, and I will start speaking at 11:00 AM on the dot.
- Using a computer, a smart phone, or even an Internet-ready television, go to the following Internet address: https://facebook.com/pbmtzionumc.
- Look for our livestream broadcast to appear. As mentioned above, we will be online at about 10:55, and our worship time will begin at 11:00 sharp.
- Even if you’re not able to join us live on Sunday morning, the broadcast will be available for viewing for the entire following week, starting a few minutes after we finish the live broadcast.
Our broadcast will include announcements, a time of prayer, Scripture readings, some brief musical selections, and our weekly sermon. We hope you are able to join us in this way, especially since many of us are living in quarantine as we try to help prevent or slow the spread of this disease.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, either by phone or email. Even though we can’t visit in person, nothing stops us from being in touch with each other, and nothing stops us from prayer. Paul gave us these words in Philippians 4:6-7.
“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” (CEV)
That’s the peace of God, which I leave with you today. Be blessed, and be safe.
With love,
Pastor Roger Kresge
