Friday (3/20) Crossroads Update

SUMMARY

• Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for your leaders at every level.
• Praise the Lord for a spirit-blessed meeting of your elders on Wednesday night (we kept our social distance as best as we could)
• In light of our desire to love our neighbor, our current understanding of the virus situation, and our submission to the will of civil authorities, your elders have decided to extend our cancellation of in person activities through 3/31 (including worship services on 3/22 and 3/29 as well other activities).
• We will attempt to live stream a closed worship service on Sunday (3/22) at 10 AM. Watch your email for more details. We hope to start small and grow better.
• We will pursue a professional cleaner to disinfect the building. 
• In light of that, please consider access to the building restricted to those with explicit permission until further notice.
• We will try to cut costs and ask that you remember to give financially as the Lord leads (2 Corinthians 9:7)
• Wash your hands; practice social distancing.
• Adjustments will continue to be made over time as we learn more and/or the situation changes

REFLECTION / PRAYER

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. 

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! -- Psalm 57:1–3 (ESV) 

Brothers & Sisters, 

These are uncertain and shifting times. We don’t know how long things will continue as they are or when they will get better. 

Various governors (including our own), churches, families, and individuals are making all kinds of decisions right now. Some are obviously foolish. Some seem rooted in fear. These are not new realties, but they are much more obvious in times of crisis like this. 

What you need to remember right now is an old reality: The Lord remains the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8;  Revelation 1:4, 8). He is faithful (Lamentations 3:22–24).

As Psalm 57:1-3 reminds you, the Lord is full of mercy and the safest place for your soul. He is fulfilling his purpose for you. In fact, he has sent from heaven and saved you. He has sent out his steadfast love and faithfulness. Jesus Christ has come.

Please look to the Lord Jesus during this season. He is more reliable than any earthly leader or news report. 

Ask for His mercy in your anxieties. Ask for his mercy in your boredom. Ask for his mercy for your neighbors as well for those who are foolish and those who are fearful. 

Listen for his answer in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:14-17), in the words of a friend (Proverbs 27:6), in the wisdom of your parents (Ephesians 6:1–3), in the prayerful decisions of your elders (see Hebrews 13:17), and even in the governing authorities instituted by God (see Romans 13:1-7). 

We are preparing for a basic, limited, and closed worship service this Sunday. There will be singing, praying, and a message from Psalm 91 led by a few people (only). We are testing Facebook live and will share some more updates later. You won’t need to have Facebook. The service should remain up after we are done.

We are exploring additional ways to connect with each other in this season. We are looking at call in prayer lines, video chat services, limited-size face to face visits / group meetings (with appropriate precautions), and more.

Please review the bullet list at the top of this article (SUMMARY) and review the following information and plans as of today.

In all of this, remember to ask for mercy and look for God’s faithfulness. 

MORE NOTES & UPDATES 

1. The most recent restrictions by the governor of Pennsylvania do not prohibit our church’s ministry. 

Your pastors are able and willing to serve you. Your elders and deacons as well. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for any reason! In all seriousness, if you need something that seems trivial, please reach out. If you have fears please reach out. If you are doing great, please reach out!

The elders are already reaching out to their flocks. We expect to make a lot of phone calls, texts, direct messages, and even face to face visits (if you desire it and we engage appropriate precautions for all). 

In fact, we are attempting to implement a new text and email service to help us communicate in a more timely and effectively manner. Stay tuned for more details. 

2. On the other hand, a lack of offerings eventually will inhibit ministry.

It is a reality that your gracious offerings pay the staff, the utilities, and underwrite ministry expenses. Did you know it also true that giving is itself an act of worship? It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). That’s a win-win.

We are currently working on ways to give electronically (details coming soon). Meanwhile, please consider mailing your gifts and offerings to the church address (104 Heather Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082) or ask your bank about electronic check options. 

If our financial shortfall becomes too large or lasts too long, we will be forced to curtail ministries, redirect existing funds, and/or make staffing changes. 

Please pray for the Lord to meet our needs. He owns every beast of the field and all the cattle on the hills (Psalm 50:10-12). He is able.

3. Worship and community will continue - we need the Lord and each other!

Please tune in to the live stream on Sunday at 10 AM. The message will be by Pastor Mike from Psalm 91 looking at our fallen world, our faithful Lord, and our future hope. 

A specific link with more details will come out in email when we’ve got it ready. 

We are also pursuing various means of gathering together for encouragement, bible study, and/or prayer (as mentioned above). 

May the Lord bless you and keep you!

Pastor Mike