All Group Activities in the Church Building are Suspended.

Hello Everybody, In my last post, I had mentioned that on Monday (March 16), we would be getting together with the staff and doing a risk assessment of each one of our ministries and activities in SCCC. So many things have changed since Monday. New recommendations, new regulations, new instructions from the government and health authorities are arriving constantly. We have decided to suspend ALL our group activities in the church building, along with all the other churches in the ABA. It is important to remember that the church is much more than just a building. The church is the people. However, we are still going to have our services online through our website on Sundays at 10:15 am. We are still working on it and studying the best way to do this. This past Sunday, we conducted a test and tried to stream our service online through Facebook, but there are still many decisions to be made and details to be worked on. Please pray for these things! In this challenging moment, we are having to rethink our priorities and determine how we can best serve our members and our community. Richard Blackaby said, “Where the world sees problems, the child of God sees possibilities — therefore, watch for God’s activity. God is always at work around us! But He often does His best work in crises. When facing a deadly pandemic, people may be more open to talking about life and death. Our mortality, generally a taboo subject, suddenly becomes front and center in people’s minds. People who were fiercely independent may suddenly have needs you can meet. People with whom you might never have been able to talk with about God may suddenly be open to spiritual discussions. Keep your spiritual senses attuned to such opportunities.” I am convinced that all of this is an excellent opportunity to show to the world in who we believe in. And even that “the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas” — even that the sea “roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil… we will not be afraid.” (Psalm 46:3). It is interesting how some verses take a new dimension, depending on our circumstances. So, we are NOT just planning to develop our technological and social media capabilities, but also to work on a people network where we want to provide help, comfort and assistance to anyone in need (i.e. delivering groceries, meals, snow removal, or any kind of need within our capabilities). Even though our church will not be open for group activities, our office will be functioning from 10 am to 4 pm for anyone who wants to come and talk and pray. Obviously, it does not apply to people in self-isolation, and we will be following all the necessary health guidelines. I want to end with the Lord Jesus’ words in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” Feel free to contact us through the church office and keep tuned for more information about our Online Sunday Services.