"Call to me and I will
answer you and tell you great and
unsearchable things you do not know."
(Jeremiah 33:3)
“Let
My Prayer Arise”, Russian Orthodox Chant
Hi
Family!!!
It
is truly a bright day today, a day of winter into spring. However, it is quite
a challenging as we deal with the coronavirus outbreak situation around the
world. The Wisconsin Conference decided to hold our gatherings until April 5,
Palm Sunday, including Sunday Worship Service. It means we are not going to
have any public gatherings in our church buildings even though the office is
still open during the regular hours (MWF/Noon till 4 p.m.) and helps us to carry
the ministry of Christ’s church continually.
It was
not an easy decision but sad and painful. Such an emotion took me to the
Babylonian exile where the people of Israel were not able to worship freely in
the Temple together anymore because they were deported to the foreign land as
war slaves. However, we know last week’s message about a Samaritan woman at the
well encountering with Jesus - God is looking for the worship in spirit and truth
regardless of location. Such a time as this, it is encouraging!
So
from now on, until all the danger is cleared, we will take this challenging time
as our opportunity to grow deeper and stronger in the presence of God in truth
and spirit… even staying at home. In other words, we will pray together more
and we will read the words of God more, making those our habits as our Christian
character.
However,
our church will find alternative ways to worship together through online. So
please keep connected with each other and with our web site for further information
on live streaming.
I also found a little practical and helpful observation from the University of California psychologist Elissa Epel to navigate the stress and anxiety that many are experiencing in such a time as this.
“When threats are uncertain, such as the
current Coronavirus situation, our anxious minds can easily overestimate the
actual threat and underestimate our ability to cope with it… When we are in a
panic state, we suffer, we stress out our children, and we are more likely to
make mistakes and engage in irrational decisions and behavior.” Therefore, let
us pay attention to the following.
1. Stay informed,
but avoid over saturating yourself with media reports of the virus.
2. Take deep
breaths and pray – for all health care providers, those who are sick, and their
anxious family members.
3. Exercise
regularly and eat healthy foods.
4. Read and study
the scriptures daily.
5. Worship with
others each week (even if it is online through the livestream).
6. Remind yourself
that God is with us and at work in our world.
7. Connect with
others – by phone, by text, and by email.
8. Maintain healthy
relationships with friends and family members.
9. Be grateful –
gratitude is the seed you plant to discover joy.
Now
we have our prayer list updated for this week. Let us continue to call upon the
name of the Lord as we move out of the prison cell of fear, anxiety, problems
and trials as we keep clean and distance from the unseen enemy evil including this
coronavirus. We will find the treasure of heaven through this challenging time
as we worship God in spirit and truth continually!
By
the way, just for reminder,
2. Avoid
touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
3. Stay home when you
are sick.
4. If you
experience coughing, sneezing, or a fever, seek medical attention.
5.
Avoid close contact
(within 6 feet) with people who are sick.
Judy suggested those, especially the bold two above…
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