THC’s Response to COVID-19
THC Members,
It’s okay to be afraid. There’s a reason the Bible has 365 verses where God instructs His people to “not fear” or to be of “good courage” – it’s because God knows the human propensity towards fear.
What we should do in times of fear is run to God as a “Shelter” and “Refuge”. He is, after all, “Father” and we “His children”. Throughout global and church history – we have seen global calamity strike again and again. It’s a reminder of the broken world we live in. It’s a reminder of the effect of sin entering and Satan-reigning. We yearn for the coming Kingdom of Jesus where “wrongs” are “righted”. Where justice, peace, and love flow into this world like a river.
Yesterday, the California Governor asked for all state-wide events of 250+ people to be cancelled/postponed until further notice.
This morning, Los Angeles Mayor, asked for LA-county events of 50+ people to be cancelled/postponed until further notice.
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been communicating with Beautiful Church leadership and local Pastors in developing a response to this pandemic for The Home Church.
I have also been closely following reports from the WHO and CDC, watching resource videos from Saddleback Church which is leading the way in equipping churches in how to handle this, and today I participated in a telebriefing for “Faith Based & Community Organizations” from the Public Health Office of Los Angeles County.
Tonight, almost all of the Shepherds gathered in a video conference to discuss our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am pleased to announce that we’ve come to a unified decision on what THC will do in response:
1. Effective immediately, Family Church will move to a “Virtual/Video-format”. We will not be meeting in person for the immediate future. Shepherds have been encouraged to continue FC every Friday via a platform for facial/voice interaction. I want to encourage you to continue to do praise! Continue to do ice-breakers! Continue to do sharing time! And do PRAY for one another. Family Church will not stop, but the format will adjust.
2. Effective immediately, The Home Church will move to a video/stream-based service on Sundays. We will not meet at church, in person, for the immediate future. We are currently looking into ways for you to watch the service via your THC mobile app or our website: www.thehomechurchrowland.com
3. THC Members who serve in Beautiful Church Elementary & Youth Ministries are not required to serve in those ministries for the immediate future. Pastor John and Danny can give you additional information.
4. THC Finance Team will discuss ways THC can allocate/create funds to help those within our church/community that will be impacted financially by COVID-19.
5. The following THC events have been cancelled/postponed until further notice
- Church Member’s Meeting (3/22) – Will Be Replaced w/a Video Update
- Shepherd’s Retreat (3/27-29) – Will Be Postponed Until Further Notice
- Easter Post-Service Celebration Service (4/12) - Will Be Postponed Until Further Notice
It’s okay to be afraid. There’s a reason the Bible has 365 verses where God instructs His people to “not fear” or to be of “good courage” – it’s because God knows the human propensity towards fear.
What we should do in times of fear is run to God as a “Shelter” and “Refuge”. He is, after all, “Father” and we “His children”. Throughout global and church history – we have seen global calamity strike again and again. It’s a reminder of the broken world we live in. It’s a reminder of the effect of sin entering and Satan-reigning. We yearn for the coming Kingdom of Jesus where “wrongs” are “righted”. Where justice, peace, and love flow into this world like a river.
Yesterday, the California Governor asked for all state-wide events of 250+ people to be cancelled/postponed until further notice.
This morning, Los Angeles Mayor, asked for LA-county events of 50+ people to be cancelled/postponed until further notice.
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been communicating with Beautiful Church leadership and local Pastors in developing a response to this pandemic for The Home Church.
I have also been closely following reports from the WHO and CDC, watching resource videos from Saddleback Church which is leading the way in equipping churches in how to handle this, and today I participated in a telebriefing for “Faith Based & Community Organizations” from the Public Health Office of Los Angeles County.
Tonight, almost all of the Shepherds gathered in a video conference to discuss our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am pleased to announce that we’ve come to a unified decision on what THC will do in response:
1. Effective immediately, Family Church will move to a “Virtual/Video-format”. We will not be meeting in person for the immediate future. Shepherds have been encouraged to continue FC every Friday via a platform for facial/voice interaction. I want to encourage you to continue to do praise! Continue to do ice-breakers! Continue to do sharing time! And do PRAY for one another. Family Church will not stop, but the format will adjust.
2. Effective immediately, The Home Church will move to a video/stream-based service on Sundays. We will not meet at church, in person, for the immediate future. We are currently looking into ways for you to watch the service via your THC mobile app or our website: www.thehomechurchrowland.com
3. THC Members who serve in Beautiful Church Elementary & Youth Ministries are not required to serve in those ministries for the immediate future. Pastor John and Danny can give you additional information.
4. THC Finance Team will discuss ways THC can allocate/create funds to help those within our church/community that will be impacted financially by COVID-19.
5. The following THC events have been cancelled/postponed until further notice
- Church Member’s Meeting (3/22) – Will Be Replaced w/a Video Update
- Shepherd’s Retreat (3/27-29) – Will Be Postponed Until Further Notice
- Easter Post-Service Celebration Service (4/12) - Will Be Postponed Until Further Notice
Why have we come to this decision?
1. God Calls Us to Consider the Weak & Love Our Neighbors – The COVID-19 is most devastating to the elderly community and those with pre-existing medical ailments. Practicing “social distancing” helps mitigate the spread of the virus to those most vulnerable within our church and community.
2. God Calls Us to Honor/Obey Governing Authorities – We will honor the request of the state Governor and city Mayor and seek alternative ways of worshipping and fellowshipping.
3. God Calls us to Wisdom – Are the risks really worth it in light of simple solutions that help mitigate the problem and ensure greater peace of mind for the whole church and broader community? Considering the high volumes of international travel that takes place in our community and church building – is it worth it? We think it’s wiser to not risk it.
THC,
It’s time for us to fix our eyes on the Lord. Don’t let your heart become overwhelmed with worry. It’s time for us to “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10). May we see this as an opportunity to rely on one another more in prayer, encouragement, and helps. May we also see this as an opportunity to share the gospel with our neighbors and loved ones! Ask them to join you on the church stream! Invite them to your Virtual FC! Let’s see people’s hearts touched by the hope and love of Jesus!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me!
Pastor Mitchell Perez
mitchellrichardperez@gmail.com
For information related to:
- What the COVID-19 is
- Symptoms
- How it Spreads
- Prevention & Treatment
And much more – click on this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
2. God Calls Us to Honor/Obey Governing Authorities – We will honor the request of the state Governor and city Mayor and seek alternative ways of worshipping and fellowshipping.
3. God Calls us to Wisdom – Are the risks really worth it in light of simple solutions that help mitigate the problem and ensure greater peace of mind for the whole church and broader community? Considering the high volumes of international travel that takes place in our community and church building – is it worth it? We think it’s wiser to not risk it.
THC,
It’s time for us to fix our eyes on the Lord. Don’t let your heart become overwhelmed with worry. It’s time for us to “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10). May we see this as an opportunity to rely on one another more in prayer, encouragement, and helps. May we also see this as an opportunity to share the gospel with our neighbors and loved ones! Ask them to join you on the church stream! Invite them to your Virtual FC! Let’s see people’s hearts touched by the hope and love of Jesus!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me!
Pastor Mitchell Perez
mitchellrichardperez@gmail.com
For information related to:
- What the COVID-19 is
- Symptoms
- How it Spreads
- Prevention & Treatment
And much more – click on this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
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