<![if !vml]>
<![endif]> Maryvale Church
“Embracing Our Community with C.A.R.E”
Christlike Actions that Restore and Encourage
This Sunday (March 15) is our monthly fellowship meal but with the recent closures of community meetings, sporting events and announcements from health organizations, we have been advised to take precautions. I do not feel the need to be in a panic but to be prudent is wise.
So we will cancel the fellowship meal that is scheduled for this Sunday.
Sunday Bible Studies at 9:00 am and Worship at 10:30 am will continue as usual.
We will see in days to come if anything further needs to be done.
Please send this on to others on your list or call people who may not have email and let them know of the cancellation of the fellowship meal for this Sunday
The virus has already made an impact on our world from international travel to the global markets. Businesses and industries are experiencing declining attendance, customers, and revenue. The church will not be immune from these impacts. However, the threat of a pandemic also creates an opportunity for the church. People will be more open to the gospel than ever before. We want to be ready to provide services, to speak hope, and to show our trust in God heroically.
Our hope and prayer is that we can develop healthy practices to keep our church attenders safe and to rise up valiantly in these days as well as provide a sense of normality amid all the scare.
Remind people that God is on the throne and he has a plan. Revelation 6 sounds like the current headlines:
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Nations at war (11 currently)
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Absence of peace and unity – violence and bloodshed
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Economic collapse and famine
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Death by sword, famine, plague, and beasts (1/4th of the population)
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Martyrdom of believers
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Earthquake and stars falling and moon turning to blood
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Panic and fear
But we need not cave into panic and fear … Ps 46 says God is our refuge and strength –
This world is not our home – God is preparing a better place. So even in sickness or death he is our strong refuge. We need to have no fear of the future – whatever that may be.
We need no fear of death -We will be raised to life with Christ.
In these days liveout your theology well. Smile at the future and share the good news of your assurance.
Prudent steps
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>If you are sick , stay home
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Wash hands often
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>And (a little humor) we can suspend the” holy kiss” 
God bless you and keep you
Pastor Dan
