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SPECIAL PASTORAL LETTER

3RD MARCH 2020

 

Dear Brethren,

 

Suspension of Church Activities in Bethel

Due to the current development of COVID-19 internationally and locally we have decided to suspend various Church activities. We will scale back as much as we can until more positive developments occur. This has been a hard decision to make. It comes with much prayer, consultation with Pastor Charlie and this decision is made because of our deep concern for all worshipers and members of Bethel.

 

Our response to the ongoing development of COVID-19

 

1. We cannot ignore the seriousness of COVID-19

 

  • Over 80,000 cases worldwide

 

  • Over 3000 deaths

 

  • This coronavirus is spreading within the Australian community

 

  • We currently have 34 cases in Australia, and it is increasing every day

 

2. What we have come to know about COVID-19

 

  • It can spread without symptoms such as fever and coughing

 

  • It can spread through a carrier even though they may not even be sick

 

  • It is deadly

 

  • To those who are old

 

  • To those who are already ill

 

  • To those who have respiratory issues

 

  • This week a 78 year old man in Perth died from this virus

 

  • We have a group of seniors in our church who are vulnerable!

 

  • There is currently no vaccine for this virus that is spreading rapidly!

 

3. The response of the Australian government

 

  • Travel bans (China and Iran)

 

  • Travel warnings

 

  • Precautions in health care agencies and schools

 

  • Social changes: “No shaking of hands”

 

  • Minimal physical contact

 

  • Self-quarantine for people who have traveled to China and South-East Asia

 

4. Our response is NOT

 

  • Panic

 

  • Fear of the wrong kind

 

5. Our practical response is

 

  • To take every precaution to protect the brethren of our church especially the older ones and children

 

  • To fulfill our social responsibility to do our part to prevent further spreading

 

  • To look up to the Lord with faith and trust

 

6. The church activities and meetings that will be suspended

 

  • Prayer Meeting and Bible study

 

  • Saturday fellowship groups

 

  • Choir ministry

 

  • Easter concert

 

  • Catechism Class

 

  • Sunday School

 

  • Lunch fellowship

 

7. Worship service

 

  • This is NOT suspended

 

  • This will only be suspended if things get worse

 

(There will be no lunch after the worship service)

 

8. Precautions taken

 

  • The Church will need to be cleaned and wiped down before and after service

 

  • We will need to assign people on duty to take down worshiper’s details

 

  • Name

 

  • Travel history

 

  • Recent medical updates (Cough, fever, cold)

 

9. Video streaming

 

  • We are looking into this possibility

 

  • If we suspend our worship service, we hope to video stream the message

 

10. Our faith in the Lord

 

  • We will look up to the Lord with faith and trust in Him

 

  • We will pray and seek the Lord’s mercy

 

  • We will hold firm to the living hope that we have in the Lord!

 

  • We will not lose the joy of our faith in the Lord!

 

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while,

If need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith,

being much more precious than gold that perishes,

though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor,

and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…” 

Peter 1:6 – 7

 

 

Prayerfully,

Pastor Chris

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