April 5, 2020 Palm  Sunday Message from Pastor David

March 29, 2020 Sunday morning greeting from Pastor David 

Greetings, Mt. Hope Church Family,                                                                       3-22-2020

If anyone had suggested we would be experiencing these kinds of days even a month ago no one would have believed it…but, the Corona virus pandemic is our new reality…the new normal for all of us right now. All of us have new things to learn and challenges to adjust to.

Our Mt. Hope Leadership team has learned the seriousness of this pandemic in our country and the actions we need to take in order to protect folks and minister to the spiritual and physical needs of our church family.

We have been in contact with several medical professionals and they assure us that the crisis is real, and the actions being taken by the government are very necessary. They strongly advise that all the precautions…the closures, the social distancing, the extra hygiene is fully warranted and everyone needs to comply and follow the safeguards that have been given.

THEREFORE, for the safety of our Mt. Hope families we will not be meeting together publically until the “all clear” signal is given. How long? Most likely it will be at least 8 to 12 weeks before we will be able to gather again at our church facility. So, our communication will have to be through electronic means, instead of face to face. This will be challenging, but we can do it!

It’s important for us as a church family to stay connected with one another… and with me as your pastor! I want to continue to serve you in any way I can. I will not be idle during these days, but trusting God will lead me in the new ways of ministry He has for us.

HERE are some ways that we all can stay connected:  simply using the telephone, or texting,  emailing, notes, cards, and even letters.   If you have any concerns or needs please contact me or Kim.  All of our previous texting/emailing means are still fully available that we have used to communicate with our church family. If you wonder how another Mt. Hopian is doing, simply use one of those electronic means to be a blessing. Call someone and pray with them as the LORD directs you. Just because we can’t be together physically, doesn’t mean we can’t be involved in each other’s lives...after all, that really is what the Church is---it’s you and me, not a building. J 

Our senior adults are really susceptible to this virus so, please avoid public places. If your family is not already helping you, we would be glad and eager to pick up groceries and/or prescriptions for you.

SEVERAL have asked about how we will collect tithes and offerings. Our Leadership team thought it best that tithes/offerings be either mailed to or dropped off at Gary Lengerich’s house.  If you would like someone to pick up your tithe/offering please, give me a call. We really are grateful for your faithful giving to our LORD’S work through Mt. Hope. 

We are looking into ways that we can provide video/audio messages for you. As many of you know you may already access sermons on our church website…which is the best church website I’ve ever seen! (mounthopenazarene.org)  Our facebook page is also a good option for keeping in touch! (facebook.com/mounthopenazarenechurch)

My heart has been heavily burdened all week with what the varied threat this Corona virus poses to us individually, to our families, and to our church fellowship. This is going to be a tough time for all of us. Having to learn so many new things at once and fear of the unknown and an “invisible enemy”  to boot…is very stressful.

THE LORD strengthened me though…He reminded me that in every generation His people have faced struggles/distress that they could not control and threatened to overcome them, ----like to Joshua and the Hebrews in Joshua 1.

Moses was dead and Joshua was now the leader of Israel and God said to him… “I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. ⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5c-9

First, God promises to always be with us. Second, let His word be very central in your life…it will be your daily, ever-present strength. Get it into your mind and life. Third, when fear tries to rob you of your confidence that God is with you---simply take your STAND (this is courage) and determine that you will believe God is truthful and will be a very close friend  because He will be with you not just in some places, but every place you go! COURAGE puts its arm around FAITH and says, “Let’s move forward.”

CHURCH FAMILY, thank you for being such a great and blessed church to us…Becky and I love you all! Please know you are in our prayers always and let me know if I can help you.

P. David

(Please check our church paper directory book or email church office for Gary Lengerich's address or any phone numbers you may need.)

PD:      davidlcox58@gmail.com

Kim:   mounthopeoffice@yahoo.com