I’ve spent the last 24 hours speaking to church leaders across the country, and praying, and learning as much as I can, at least as much as a person with the responsibilities of being a pastor should know about the Coronavirus. It has all of our attention and honestly, until yesterday my attitude towards this virus was much like a ‘Snow Day’. i knew it wouldn’t affect everybody, so I didn’t think everybody needed to be concerned.

I’ve certainly changed my mind about that, and now I believe everybody should do what we can to help and follow the requests of our officials. If everybody will help a little, then somebody might benefit a lot. maybe a lot of somebodies.

I saw a CDC slogan I really like. It simply says Love Not Fear. the message, where i saw it at least, was aimed at younger people possibly not as vulnerable to the worst that this virus can do. The Love Not Fear message means for those who are healthier to take measures, out of love, to not spread the germs as much as possible. Not because we fear we will get sick, but out of love for those who are more likely to come into contact with the worst the Coronavirus has to offer.

Let me be clear, this is for the elderly or others whose immune or respiratory systems, may or not withstand something like pneumonia at the moment. This may even affect others suffering from temporary or permanent illnesses that will make them more susceptible to this illness. Even if you are healthy, we should keep in mind those who are not and take steps in order to help avoid getting them sick; not out of fear, but rather out of love. What we want to do is make every effort to lessen the fear and support, with faith and love, those who need help the most right now.

With that in mind, for those of you who are part of our Portland Church of Christ I’m making this announcement:

#1. We are canceling services in support of the effort to "flatten the curve".

We trust the Lord and are asking our folks to love those who have more to fear from the virus than perhaps we do 

#2. I will use livestream to make a service at home available for everyone on Sunday.

We are not encouraging people to congregate even in small groups but as always leave it up to your own good judgement whether you want meet a few together or stay home. 

#3. This is not like a "snow day" where we've always said ‘you can count on us having church but don't come if you don't feel safe’.

This is one step further. Because meeting might contribute to the spread of the virus we are joining the proactive effort and canceling what could be an opportunity to spread the germs. 

#4. We will keep everyone posted about whether this only affects this upcoming Sunday (March 15) or needs to be extended.

For now, we have nothing to lose by trying to help. I'll finish along the lines of we are canceling a service, not church. Remember we are always the body of Christ and together in spirit, though we’re not actually sharing communion at the same time. 

I’m including here to a message Daren Overstreet of the Seattle Church shared. It’s a great message of encouragement and hope with some very thoughtful reminders of how disciples of Jesus should behave in times like these. I hope you’ll take a look at it. 

Keep in mind that we all have a dozen ways to stay in touch, and many of us can still use our heads and keep a social distance and meet together under the right conditions. But consider that maybe the Lord is once again helping us to stick to our jubilee theme and drawing attention to how resting in Him and His will may look a little different than how we have grown accustomed to it being.

At any rate, no Sunday service this week, or rather, Sunday services will be in your home and I hope you’ll let me in there with a message that I will livestream. We’ll keep everyone updated via our website and social media. If you need any help thinking through whether you should have a small group or ministry get together please ask the elders, or Lisa, or me. In the end, we trust your judgement and hope this serves as a good example, in some way, of how we can help instead of hurt.

“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

—- Jude 1:20-21 NIV