Sunday Worship Update and More

For the next 3 Sundays we will follow the local public school system and refrain from gathering in person. So you are invited to worship through a Digital Liturgy and other resources (like a video Worship and Wonder story, coming soon!) for the next few weeks, at least through April 5th.This is done out of deep love for our community, the wisdom of public health experts, and to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19’s spread. In short, it is the Christ-like thing to do.The building will remain closed to all groups as we clean and maintain this focus on “physical distance.” I refrain from the term “social distancing” because there are spiritually important ways we can still engage socially–just through other means: phone calls, cards and letters, digital platforms, and drive-by waving (stay tuned for more on this last one).

Church staff and leaders will be reaching out to the South Elkhorn family to learn how you’re doing, what you’re up to, and share the love of Christ. I pray you’ll consider doing this, too–reach out to friends, neighbors, and your church family. It is incredibly important that we remain connected even if we can’t be in close physical proximity.

Church leadership will keep monitoring our local and global situation, and lean into the counsel of health experts to keep our community safe, especially our most vulnerable. The vulnerable were of particular concern to Jesus himself–the weary and heavy laden, the “little ones,” those rejected and ignored because of their illness, the hungry and impoverished.

We will assess the timeline above and consider if it needs to be extended further in the future. Stay tuned to your email, join the church text messaging if you have not already subscribed (link here), and the church blog. You’ll continue to receive updates as we prepare for the days ahead.

Grace to you and Peace,

Michael Swartzentruber
Senior Minister