Dear Liberty Church,
As we prepare to reopen our doors for Sunday worship, for the first time in three months, I want to ask that together we pray a specific type of prayer: a prayer of protection. This is certainly an apt prayer for our times. There are many in our country and in our immediate area who are still very vulnerable from the ravaging effects of COVID-19. As they continue their quarantine, we must pray that they would be protected from this deadly disease. For those who come to worship on Sunday in-person, we must pray that we are protected as well, and that we do all in our power to mitigate the spread of this virus.
But on top of prayers for protection for our congregation against COVID, there certainly is reason to pray for protection for many in our country at this present hour. Racial minorities who are unjustly the victims of police brutality need our prayers of protection. Law enforcement officers, who are being maliciously shot at, and some killed, by protesters need our prayers of protection. Business owners who are being targeted by violent looters need our prayers of protection. Peaceful protesters, who are responsibly exercising their 1st Amendment, need prayers of protection from those who want to see them silenced. Churches, in danger of losing their unity in the Gospel, need prayers of protection against division.
Perhaps protection is what we need most during this time, but the most important protection we need is not from viruses or guns – it is protection against the deadly disease of sin and the schemes of Satan. 1 John 5:18 states, “He who is born of God is protected by God, and the evil one does not touch him.” That is a protection from heaven, a supernatural defense, not for our bodies, but for our souls, a protection so strong that Satan can’t even touch us! Pray for protection for those around you, but pray for protection for your own sake as well, that you may echo the psalmist who declares, “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!”
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Nathan
For those who will not be participating in Sunday worship in-person, I want to remind you that Live Stream will still be available at 10:45am, as well as the Sunday school Zoom class at 9:00am. The links to both of these will be on Liberty’s website.
Also, the Session has slightly revised and updated our reopening guidelines. They will be attached to this email as well on Liberty’s website. Please review these before coming to worship.
Lastly, in light of the recent financial realities that are a result of COVID-19, our church and school applied for and received a government grant that helps non-profit organizations meet payroll needs. This is certainly not a substitute for the faithful and sacrificial tithing of our members, but we are hoping this grant does help offset the decrease in giving during the time of this quarantine. The church’s portion of this grant, which does not need to be paid back, is approximately $40,000. If you have any questions about this, you can contact Pastor Nathan or a member of the FMC committee. Thank you.