Good day, faith family. I pray that by God’s grace you are thriving even in difficult circumstances. I want to inform you of the new guidelines and recommendations put in place by our governor and of how our church will function for the time being as we move forward during this pandemic. Heeding the words of Proverbs 18:13, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame,” I have waited to address this until more information was made available.Yesterday evening I met with our deacon body to discuss the latest developments of this Covid pandemic and to hear from Sheriff Brown. According to our governor’s most recent statement, restrictions on seating capacity for church services remains the same. The governor has mandated that the citizens of Louisiana wear masks in an effort to fight against the spread of Covid-19. While this is not a law (and is, therefore, unenforceable) we do want to be good citizens and neighbors. We are asking everyone to prayerfully consider wearing a mask while in close proximity to one another. Once you are seated for worship, we hope that you’ll feel free to remove your mask and worship the Lord comfortably since our seating arrangement is designed to accommodate a 6 ft gap as recommended for social distancing. Please know that we will not be policing anyone (the mandate specifically excludes churches from penalty). We will continue to respect your personal choice in this matter. We understand that there are some in our church who have health issues that make mask wearing difficult and others who have strong convictions in opposition to this mandate. We will continue to encourage everyone to practice social distancing, use hand sanitizer, and stay home if you are sick.  

It’s obvious that this pandemic has caused hardship to many. One troubling difficulty is the division it has caused in our country, communities, and even our church. Next week I plan to address this very issue. For now, I will point you to Philippians 2:1-5, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”

We want to be considerate and loving to one another for it is Christ that binds us. Don’t forget that we are brothers and sisters in Christ, a bond forged by the very blood of Jesus. Let us consider each person as more important than ourselves. Let us maintain love and unity even if we disagree. Let us be united in spirit over what is most important: the worship of our Lord and Savior. Hebrews 10:24-25 admonishes, “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” This coming Sunday God has given us an opportunity to worship Him. Let us make the most of it.

See you Sunday!

Bro. Brian