April 30, 2020

Coronavirus Response - PRAY

  • Pray – for protection, peace, wisdom, witness

  • Respect others – physical distancing, empathy for vulnerable

  • Act compassionately – give to PVBC Philippians 4 Fund

  • Yield to God’s sovereignty – trust, abide

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10, ESV)

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4, ESV)

Trusting God,

-Pastor Ken

March 14, 2020 

Dear Church Family,

Since my first letter on March 11, so much has changed in terms of what we know and what authorities are recommending. I met last night with a newly formed “rapid response team” to address concerns and make adjustments to how we would conduct ministry in these trying times. After prayerful deliberation, we have decided to suspend in-person public gatherings (including Sunday worship service, Sunday School, and youth Friday Night Fellowship), starting tomorrow Sunday March 15 until Saturday April 11. We will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions along the way, with a hope to restart our worship services on Easter Sunday April 12.

Our plans for now are:

  1. In place of gathering in the church sanctuary on Sunday, we invite you to set aside time on Sunday morning to access a video message online. This will be uploaded each week by Sunday 9:00am.

  2. For children, their Sunday School lesson will be made available online by Sunday 9:00am.

  3. Worship through giving can be continued by doing so online (https://my.gobluefire.com/App/Giving/pvbc).

  4. Plans are being made for youth to have interactive (livestream) sessions on Sunday mornings and Friday nights, starting March 20.

  5. Adult small groups will determine among themselves how they want to meet, whether in-person, online, or a combination of both.

While all these adjustments are being made, please maintain your spiritual health with the following:

  1. We should be prudent, but not panicked. “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)

  2. We should count our blessings in place of worry. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

  3. We should continue to trust and love God in all circumstances. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Please continue praying for God’s love to be lived out in and through His people during these times.

Trusting God,

-Pastor Ken

 

March 11, 2020

Dear Church Family,

 PVBC is mindful of the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation and cares deeply about the health and well-being of our church family and community. As a church, we are called to be representatives of Christ in all of the ways we hold hope, trust God, and love our neighbors. We do not give in to fear, remembering how “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) and that death has no sting (1 Corinthians 15:55). Please note the following steps we are taking as a church and what we encourage you to do as individuals.

 Commitments

  1. Trust God. We should keep perspective and not panic. Psalm 46:1 says that the Lord is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

  2. Pray. Pray for the sick and scared, the caregivers and civic leaders, knowing that God answers prayer.

  3. Care for the sick. Through compassion and coming alongside, we can minister as the Lord leads.

  4. Stay informed. Without giving in to anxiety and over-reactions, keep up with the latest information from the CDC and WHO.

  5. Make plans. We are making adjustments to our worship practices, gatherings, and daily routines to minimize the spread of the virus.

  6. Reflect Christ. In anxious times, the church can shine brightest as a beacon of faith, hope, and love.

Practical Reminders

  1. Stay at home when sick and seek medical attention when needed.

  2. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

  3. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then dispose of it.

  4. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

  5. Avoid shaking hands and instead use an alternative greeting protocol.

Church Procedure Adjustments

  1. Suspend greeting with handshakes, using alternative methods.

  2. Suspend passing of offering bags, using offering drop-box.

  3. Adjust distribution of communion elements to mitigate virus spread.

  4. Adjust food preparation and serving procedures.

  5. Increase church sanitizing practices.

Please join in praying for God’s protection and provision, as well as His peace and presence to be mediated through His people in these trying times.

Trusting God,

-Pastor Ken