Corona Virus Update for Sunday March 15

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Dear Sisters and Brothers of One Hope Presbyterian,

This Sunday, March 15, One Hope Presbyterian will gather to celebrate the life we share in God, and to encourage one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10.24). We hope that you will join us.

With the ongoing developments in the spread of COVID-19, the Session thinks it is wise to follow these measure as we gather:


  • If you feel sick (e.g. fever, cough, feeling under the weather, etc.), please stay home.
  • If someone in your family has felt sick, we ask that your entire family stay home. 
  • If you have a health condition that could leave you particularly vulnerable if you were to contract the virus (lung disease, high blood pressure, health disease, diabetes, etc.), we ask you to consider staying at home this Sunday.
This Sunday we will not serve communion, nor will we pass the peace. This is not because we lack faith but because we feel this is the wisest, best way to love our neighbors--by assuring as best we can that our gatherings do not facilitate the spread of the virus. We are a warm and friendly congregation: please make sure we continue to communicate that warmth with smiles and elbow bumps instead of handshakes and hugs.

Again, we remind you to wash your hands regularly (especially after you cough, sneeze, and/or eat), and to cover your mouth with a tissue if you cough or sneeze (and to dispose of the tissue immediately). 

The Session wants to continue to urge you to not panic. We know that words like pandemic are scary, and that the media attention that this virus is getting can be unsettling. This is our opportunity not only to remember but also to live out what our hope (1 Peter 3.15) is in Christ,  and to love and serve our neighbors by putting their needs first (Matthew 19.19). Let's pray that God uses this world-attention-grabbing event to draw people to Himself as our friends, family, and neighbors grapple with the inevitability of our mortality. 

Please continue to check our Facebook page for updates. We are monitoring the situation and will communicate when the need arises. 

Blessings,

Kelly (for the Session of One Hope Presbyterian)

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