Join us sundays at 8:00 & 10:30 AM

Worship Service Update for Sunday, March 15, 2020

March 14, 2020 by Rev. John Hartman

Members and Friends at Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church,

There is no doubt that Covid-19 is of grave concern and has some serious implications for healthcare, travel, education, work and the economy. It would be foolish to ignore the scope of what is happening, and that is also true of us in the church. And so, we are encouraging you to not lose heart or give in to fear or panic. Remember, Jesus Christ overcame sickness, death, and the grave, and he is LORD of all!

This morning, the Session made the decision to have one worship service tomorrow, March 15, at 10:00 am in the sanctuary, and to suspend Sunday School, and all other gatherings planned for people of all ages the rest of the day. Second, following the Solanco school schedule, all activities for the week (including Wednesday Night Alive) are also cancelled or postponed to a later date. A decision on worship for next Sunday, March 22, will be made later on in the week.

This is not an easy decision, and we are enacting it with the desire to protect one another, and participate in shared efforts across the community, state and country to contain, slow down, and hopefully limit the spread of the Coronavirus. We are also trying to maintain some sense of normalcy as a community of faith for worship, prayer and song.

If you do come tomorrow, please feel free to greet others with a smile, wave, fist bump, elbow bump, or a toe tap. We will not be passing around the collection plates, but will have them available, and a time during the service for you to give. We also ask that you remember to be faithful in your giving to CLPC, even when absent from being with us here in worship. You can give on line at https://www.chestnutlevel.org/onlinegiving

If you are uncomfortable being here tomorrow at 10:00 am, we understand, and invite you to feel free to stay home. If you or a family member are not feeling well, we would encourage you to stay home. We have implemented a way for you to stay connected to us through a live-streaming of the worship service, via Zoom. Just click on https://zoom.us/j/138155517 to join us for worship at 10:00 am. Or, you can watch it at any other time as well, as we will be recording it. My dear friend, John Minihan, is here in town, and will be delivering the message. John is a gifted pastor and preacher, and I look forward to him sharing God’s word with us.

Please know I (along with the Deacons) will continue to be available for pastoral care. You can contact me by email or phone/text anytime (919/395-8539 or at john@chestnutlevel.org). I am always happy to have a conversation with you, and look forward to touching base in any way that the current situation permits. Also, it does not need to be an emergency.

We are all learning how to respond, practice precaution on behalf of our own health and that of others, adapt, and adjust in these unfamiliar times. Please check on your neighbors and friends, be gracious with one another, and find safe ways to reach out to others by showing the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. As the people at Chestnut Level Presbyterian, let’s use this time to increase our attention to prayer and care for one another. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Please know that your church is here for you, and we will remain a strong presence for spiritual strength, growth, and encouragement in this season.

With thanksgiving to God,

John Hartman