These days of the COVID-19 pandemic are very interesting days to be sure. However, this is not the first-time sickness and disease has threatened the health and well-being of a nation. In 1527 when his world was threatened with the Black Death Plague, Martin Luther, the great reformer wrote,

“Therefore, I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me, and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above. See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

Our health authorities today are strongly asking of us some of the same precautions described by Luther above. We are encouraged to “self-quarantine” and to practice “social distancing” (both descriptions of which I’d never heard of before now). Our leaders have told us that by taking action now we can slow the transmission of this deadly virus for the health and safety of all.

Therefore, your elders and I out of love and deep concern for our church family and Jefferson County are taking the following step. We will continue to “be subject to the governing authorities” as Romans 13:1 directs and therefore will suspend our Sunday services until such time as our state leaders declare it safe and lawful to gather together again. This may be relieving news to some and appalling news to others. But I ask that we realize this great truth, Christ’s Church is not a building but a people. We who are born again in Christ Jesus are the church. Therefore, we can still be the church even though we may temporarily not be meeting together at a building! How can we continue to be the church? You may ask. I suggest the following ways.

1. Watch our livestream every Sunday morning at 10:15 am. While we may not be able to personally gather with more than 25 people at once we can all worship together online. 
2. Look for words of hope and encouragement on our Facebook page. About every other day we hope to have a short video to uplift and encourage your heart. 
3. Take this opportunity to lead your family in worship. Look for creative ways to help your kids learn about and put trust in God during this time. We hope to be providing you with help in this along the way. As we discover resources, we will pass them on to you on our website and Facebook page.
4. Look for ways to love on and care for each other. We have many wonderful mature saints who are part of our church family and are in greater threat by COVID-19. See if they need anything. Ask if you can pick some things up for them at the store. Or, just call them to check up on them. Let’s be a church family who takes cares of every member of the family.  Click here to see how you can help out.
5. Look for ways to share the hope of Jesus Christ with your family, friends and neighbors who may not have a relationship with Him. Invite them to watch our Facebook videos or our Sunday morning live stream videos. You may consider how to love them as Christ would. Maybe even giving them some of your toilet paper for free.
6. Finally, as your pastor, I am asking that if you are able to continue to give faithfully to Cornerstone during this time of crisis, please do so online so that we can continue to support the needs of our church family. Click here to make a one time donation or set up a recurring gift. You can also mail in your offering to the church office at 675 NE 10th St., Madras, OR., 97741. We realize some of you have been—or will be—challenged financially because of this crisis, but others are still stable in their jobs. As always, please give as the Lord moves your heart (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

If you have any needs or would like someone to pray with you, please let us know here.

May our great and precious Lord bless you and keep you in His grace and peace.

Pastor Jeff Freshour