“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
Congregation of ZCRC(Imus),
Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
We believe that the truth about “not neglecting to meet together” every Lord’s Day challenges every Christian in their own generation. Stated positively, the preacher of Hebrews reminds us to keep this habit of meeting regularly to encourage one another in love and good works. These words serve both a warning and encouragement for all of us.
We all have probably heard that our Imus local government confirmed two patients positive of COVID-19. And recently, President Duterte suspended classes on all levels until March 14 and encouraged everyone to minimize social contact and to stay at home. This is in relation to the Department of Health (DOH) declaration of Code Red sub level 1 calling everyone to “practice personal protective measures such as hand hygiene, social distancing, and proper cough etiquette.” DOH also reminds us to “avoid unnecessary travel and postpone mass gatherings.”
Naturally, we think these events worry every Filipino citizen. This includes all of us Christians especially when we consider it in relation to our Lord’s Day gatherings.
To encourage everyone during this period of uncertainty, your office-bearers would like to address the matter, inform everyone of our plans, and guide us on our way forward.
- Lord’s Day services will continue until such time everyone will become physically unfit to do so or our government declares a lock down which will prohibit anyone to travel. Everyone who is physically fit and able to attend must continue to do so.
- Anyone who is experiencing any flu-like symptoms are advised to stay at home. Please inform the elders so we, as a church, can pray for your well-being.
- Parents with children who opt to keep their little kids at home are encouraged to take turns. One can attend the service while the other stays at home with the children.
- Adult companions of elderly parents who opt to stay at home are encouraged to seek help from relatives for an alternating caring schedule so they can take turns attending church service as well.
As a precautionary measure, your office-bearers decided to postpone temporarily our afternoon activity (Sunday School and Prayer Meeting). After the morning service, we encourage everyone to immediately go home in order to limit contact with mall goers. We also reminded Lotus Mall management to sanitize Events Place during ingress. And to do our part as tenants, we will bring cleaning solutions and virus protection agents like alcohol and etc to help sanitize every part of our worship area.
Now in the event that we are prohibited to physically assemble every Lord’s Day, we will implement a contingency plan—facilitate the services online. Each family will gather in their own homes, and your pastor will stream the service online. We will simultaneously tune in to the live stream and attend the service virtually. Lord-willing, this will sustain us until such time the lock-down is lifted and all goes back to normal.
Uncertainty makes us worry and we tend to forget that God is wise, good, and sovereign. The news about this public concern overwhelms us and we need to remind ourselves that God is in control. That is why it is important for us to stay calm and pray over these things that concern us. Let us pray for everyone’s safety and petition for the well-being of those who are affected.
As your office-bearers, we pray that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)”. We believe that our Triune God will continue to bless us with his presence and forever keep us in his care. We love you all. Maranatha!
One body in Christ,
ZCRC(Imus) Council