Pastoral Church Announcement, Cancellation of Services

March 22nd, evaluated weekly

Dear Congregation of the Lord,

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:31-39)

We are heirs of salvation and heirs of God. We are blessed with all spiritual blessing through our Lord Jesus Christ. All things belong to us! All deliverances, and Eternal life, and the glory of heaven with Christ in God. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ! Repeatedly scripture comforts us with these and so many more promises, for God is in complete control of all things and Jesus Christ has surely pleased the Father on our behalf! Let these biblical truths comfort you in these uncertain and challenging times.

By now you have been contacted by the Elder in your district informing you of the council’s decision to cancel all Sunday services for March 22 (Including the Yard Sale Mar 21). This decision was made because of the serious public health risk of the Covid-19 pandemic. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution, in submission to our Federal and local government requests, and after my conference consultation with Classis Eastern US pastors, who are also cancelling their services. This is a temporary measure that will be evaluated weekly. We are planning ways to minister to you while we are apart. Through this time apart, missing corporate worship and face to face fellowship, we truly may sense more than ever (God willing) our need for gathering together.

Though you are asked to minimize physical contact you can partake of social media and minister by phone. Use this time to quietly seek the Lord, to make your requests known to him. Please pray for me and your officers, for the government, and for one another.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4)

Sincerely your affectionate servant in Christ,

Stephen Wetmore

Pastor, Trinity Reformed Church

2220 Hancock Bridge Pkwy

Cape Coral, FL 33990

www.sermonaudio.com/trinityreformed

P.S. I have included some information from the CDC Website that references some of our Presidents guidance. (bold highlights mine)

CDC Recommends

  • Everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health threat:
    • On March 16, the White House announced a program called “15 Days to Slow the Spread,” [* ]which is a nationwide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 through the implementation of social distancing at all levels of society.

[*the President in conjunction with CDC asked the nation to avoid unnecessary contact of groups of more than 10 people and then observe a distance of 3 to 6 feet to prevent transmission of the virus. (See the CDC website for other details.) ]

  • Older people and people with severe chronic conditions should take special precautions because they are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness.
  • If you are a healthcare provider, use your judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. Factors to consider in addition to clinical symptoms may include:
    • Does the patient have recent travel from an affected area?
    • Has the patient been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 or with patients with pneumonia of unknown cause?
    • Does the patient reside in an area where there has been community spread of COVID-19?
  • If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 and develop symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms and your exposure. They will decide whether you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill are able to isolate at home.
  • If you are a resident in a community where there is ongoing spread of COVID-19 and you develop COVID-19 symptoms, call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms. They will decide whether you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill are able to isolate at home.
Trinity Reformed Church