Dear Liberty Church,
When we moved to Liberty Church a little over a year ago, I never would have expected to cancel Sunday worship due to snow, but it happened! I definitely never imagined canceling Sunday worship due to COVID-19, but sadly, that too will happen. This Sunday, March 22nd, there will be no Sunday morning or evening worship services at Liberty Church. This deeply saddens me, as I miss you all, and long to worship with you.
As part of my morning devotional readings, I typically read a Proverb for each of the days of the month, i.e. March 18 = Proverbs 18. The first verse of Proverbs 18 hit me like a truck today: “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” Of course, Solomon was not referring to isolating ourselves from a deadly virus, which is indeed wise, but the truth of this proverb remains: the people of God need to be together. We need community. We need each other.
In this vein, I want to gladly announce that we are launching live-streaming of our services, both morning and evening worship, starting March 29! Details are forthcoming, but I believe that this live-stream will be a special time for our church, as we gather around at the same time we normally do, but now spiritually instead of physically, to participate in worshipping our Triune God together. COVID-19 will one day end, but in the meantime, we will do all we can to heed the words of Hebrews and “not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Worshipping on Sunday will keep us in the important rhythm of ordering our lives around the most important activity we can be engaged in: glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. Please be in prayer as we begin this process.
I also want to assure you that the pastors, elders, and deacons of Liberty Church are praying for you during this difficult time. I have already heard from many of you first hand about how COVID-19 is impacting you greatly, specifically, the recession that has ensued from it. If there are any needs, of any kind, or if you need any prayer, or just need someone to speak to, please do not hesitate to reach out to the church and to your shepherding elders. We are available, and we want to help!
In this way, in the ministry of prayer and the Word, in the preaching of the Gospel of Christ, in the encouraging of the saints and the worshipping of God and the ministering to the needs of the Body, Liberty Church is still ‘business as usual,’ and for that, I am glad!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Nathan