PANDEMIC? This word has not been a large part of our vocabulary until now! We have been living life with about as much freedom as anyone could imagine in our democratic republic, but now we have people trying to tell us how much toilet paper and water that we can buy, the size of a “large group (10)” and some are trying to stop us from our Constitutionally Guaranteed Bill of Rights – Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Worship! Thank you, Governor Abbot for providing clarity to our daily lives! This world needs the Church! The building is not the church, but in this part of the world, we are identified by the buildings we enter!
We have made some major changes to accommodate people’s desire to come together to worship here at the Chapel. We are not pointing a finger at those who are choosing to do things differently, but want the public to know what we are doing and let the community know that they are welcomed to join us!
There are three things we are emphasizing. 1. Christians are not given into fear – we operate on faith! 2. Love for our fellow man will keep us home when we are sick! It is that old verse of Scripture that says, “Love your neighbor as yourself”! And 3. We are calling on all people to “wash and pray”! There has been one message that has been repeated by many of the speakers on national news – we need the church to pray! If you can come to Church, pray! If you are self-quarantining, pray! In the mornings, pray! At noon, pray! In the evenings, pray! Before bed, pray’! Our only answers will be found in prayer!
Unless things change, we are keeping our regular schedule of services. Bible Study on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Morning Service is at 11:00 a.m. and Evening Service is at 6:00 p.m. Pastor Joane will be teaching Fisherman’s Bible Institute on Tuesdays and 7:00 p.m., and we will gather at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays for midweek service. I know that some will criticize us for meeting while others would criticize us for not meeting!
I know that some will criticize us for shaking hands and others will criticize us for not shaking hands! The church has always been criticized, but it has not stopped us from being effective in seeing lives changed and set free from the bondage of sin! You are welcome – unless you are sick; then call for prayer and we will pray!
We are continuing to plan for a great Easter Sunrise Service, but if things change, we will go with plan “B”! It is always a great thing to come worship a Risen Savior on Easter morning at 7:00 a.m.! It will be at the Front Beach, and we will sing “He Lives”! In the past few years, we have seen crowds that exceed 1,000 on Sunday Morning and you are welcome also! Bring your lawn chairs or “golf carts”, but let the residents of this community know that “Because He Lives” we can face the tomorrows of our lives!
