Grace Community Church,
I met with the Church Council last night and we decided that we will not meet physically for worship on March 22 or March 29. After March 29, we will evaluate again. Our decision is not based on fear, but on what it means to be a good neighbor. This does not mean that we won’t be having church. You can close a building, but you can’t close the church.
We will worship online live at 9:30am this Sunday. You can join us on the church Facebook page for Facebook Live or on our YouTube page (https://www.facebook.com/gracefortsmith/ or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5jTKK6cKMP69vCbXjb3ijg). Facebook Live may encounter streaming issues with increased load so be prepared to switch to YouTube. If technical issues arise, the entire service will be posted later in the day. After the service Sunday, I will do a live question and answer session.
We may be physically distancing but we are not socially distancing. Children, Youth, and Connecting Groups are adapting and leveraging technology to continue ministry. We are working with all these ministries to see the opportunities that God is providing at this moment. God is not surprised, the Holy Spirit is working, and we will seize this time as an opportunity to demonstrate that we are more than conquerors in Christ.
As the church continues to function, your financial support is as important as ever. People inside and outside of our church family are going to be in need, and we will be there to help. Some may be able to give less right now, and some may feel the call to give more. As we each do our part, God will faithfully meet every need. You can see a variety of ways you can give here: https://gracefs.com/give/.
If you are in need during this time, please let us know. If you are in a high risk group and need anything from food to medicine to a redbox, give us a call. If you are not sure how to connect with the church online and need some help, give us a shout. You can reach the church at 479 646-1177.
Our God is a great and mighty God. How easily all the things we depend on for our peace can be shaken! Let those whose lives are founded on the rock of Jesus Christ model for the world a peace that passes all understanding and a love that is stronger than death! I see the Holy Spirit at work in this moment and look for God to be glorified, His Kingdom to be made visible, and His grace to be declared.
Yours in Christ,
Jeff