Coronavirus Response

In times of crisis, it’s important to adjust our focus. So many people are panicking because they are looking at the problem, but a wise person once said, “don’t look at the problem; look at the solution.” No matter what problem you may be facing, God is the solution.

Our God is almighty, unchanging, omnipotent, and far greater than anything we may face. He is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). The Angel Gabriel said to Mary, “With God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37), and Jesus said, “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Unfortunately, when Adam first rebelled in Eden, God cursed the ground, and now all of creation groans, waiting for the curse to be broken (Genesis 3:17; Romans 8:22). This broken world has death, tornadoes, hurricanes, diseases, viruses, and more that are a regular reminder to us of how far we have fallen from God’s perfect design.

Before we get too angry at Adam though, the Scripture reminds us that each one of us has also chosen to sin against God and deserves to be punished (Romans 3:23), which is why Romans 6:23 gives us such good news: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

We all know that blessed verse “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). As Christians, this is where we find our hope of eternal salvation. But this hope is not just for eternity future—it is a hope for today! “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

Almighty God is greater than the coronavirus, and He has demonstrated that He loves us by sending Jesus to die in our place, so we should respond to this global pandemic by turning to our All-Powerful, All-Loving Father. He is the answer to every problem that we face, including the coronavirus. 

The Southern Baptist Convention has declared a day of prayer this Sunday, March 15^th, and has issued 4 suggestions for how we can turn to God in prayer. You can visit their link here. I encourage you to use their guidelines as you turn to the Lord in faith through prayer.

1. Pray that God, in His mercy, would stop this pandemic and save lives, particularly in areas with poor medical care.
2. Pray for President Donald Trump, and our other government leaders to have the wisdom to direct us in the best course of prevention and care.
3. Pray that the Lord would give us a boldness to witness and that doors would be open for people to hear our Gospel message.
4. Pray that God would protect our missionaries around the globe. 

As you pray, please be encouraged that Fort Howard Community Church WILL MEET this Sunday, March 15^th for all of our regularly scheduled services. The elders will be meeting regularly and staying up to date. If anything changes, cancellations will be posted here as well as in our e-mail newsletter.

Furthermore, while we place a high priority on gathering together as the church for worship and other activities, and we always want you to feel welcome in your church home, we will be taking the following precautions in our worship gathering:

1. Out of love for those members of our congregation with weaker immune systems and in light of the current health crisis, please refrain from physical contact during our service. This includes shaking hands, hugs, kissing, etc. The command to greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16) should be taken metaphorically for the time being to refer to a friendly smile, a wave, or a kind word spoken in love.

2. If you are feeling sick or running a fever, the best way that you can love your neighbor is by staying home! If you need to stay home instead of coming to our church service, rest assured that the sermons will be posted online within 24 hours after each service for you to listen to at your convenience. Also, please call the church leadership to let us know that you are feeling ill so that we may specifically lift you up in prayer.

Finally, I leave you with the words of James, that seem especially appropriate today: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8). Of course, the real way that we purify our hearts is through faith in Jesus Christ, but it doesn’t hurt to also take his advice literally and wash your hands!