In this time of COVID19, we commend reflecting the words of Psalm 91:
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Safety Considerations
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we consider our religious services essential and ask our members and visitors to take all safety measures recommended by medical authorities when we gather in our sacred assemblies or in home groups. We believe in the power of the Lord’s protection and the desire of the Lord for us to show our love for our neighbor (as well as honoring lawful authority) by following reasonable precautions to protect our health and the health of others. In general, during this pandemic, we ask our members and visitors to:
- Carefully consider the medical conditions of yourself and your household before joining group activities.
- Do not attend our group activities if you in the last 14 days have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms of COVID, or been in contact with a person that has tested positive for COVID or exhibits symptoms of COVID.
- Please wear a mask that covers both your mouth and nose while in a group. Masks should filter both inhaling and exhaling to protect yourself and others, in other words please avoid masks that incorporate an unfiltered exhalation valve.
- Practice good personal hygiene by regular hand washing with soap or use of a germicidal hand sanitizer. Hand washing should be with soap and thoroughly cover the entire hands for at least twenty (20) seconds. Timing can be done by saying the doxology while washing your hands (“Praise God from whom all blessings flow ….”)
Why Do This?
We believe that government officials, within the law, have the same authority to require face masks as they have to require that people wear clothes in public. More importantly, we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves, which includes taking personal health measures that help protect the health of those around us.