The state of Arizona is now in a state of emergency, and the Corvid-19 is now declared a pandemic.
First, hear these words from Psalm 46:
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult...
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
No matter what happens in the coming days and weeks, we will get through it together.
If you are sick, please do not come to worship or any other activities here at Grace. Please let me know that you are sick, and we can, at the very least, pray together over the phone.
Please wash your hands with soap and warm water often! Remember that you washing your hands helps not only you but everyone around you.
We will gather for worship at the regular times this Sunday. However, we will take the following precautions.
• We will pass the peace without touching one another.
• We will not have paper bulletins.
• We will not pass the offering plates but instead have a basket available in the center aisle in which people may place their offering.
• We will not celebrate Holy Communion.
• We will leave doors open as much as possible so that we do not need to touch doorknobs.
• We will not have fellowship following worship.
For the next two weeks, we will not have a meal prior to the mid-week Lenten worship service.
The group already scheduled to serve the pancake breakfast will put together breakfast sacks to be handed out to those who come for the breakfast. Those coming for the breakfast will be asked to take their sack to go and come back for worship at 8:30 am.
During the Monday morning clothing and hygiene product distribution, no food will be served except for non-perishables.
Please let me know if you have questions or concerns. My hope is that these precautions will stem the tide of any virus transmission in our own community.
Please pray for all health care workers at this time as well as wisdom for those in positions of leadership. And of course, pray for those infected with Corvid-19 and for an end to this pandemic.
Surely, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Much love and peace to each of you,
Pastor Sarah