Church Family,
As a result of MUCH prayer and lengthy discussions with staff and church leadership, I have made the difficult decision to TEMPORARILY pause in person worship for this Sunday, January 3, 2021. This decision is due to the significant increase in Covid-19 related cases in our community, and because we need to increase our diligence and safety precautions as a way to follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors and those in our church family.
Keep in mind…
We are NOT cancelling church because WE, the people of God–are the CHURCH. Rather, we are shifting to online worship for this Sunday! Please plan to join us for virtual worship Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 at 11:00am on facebook, and the First United Methodist Church website.
In the meantime, please know that we are doing everything we can to monitor the Covid-19 trends in our community. We are also working to make certain when we return for in person worship all conference guidelines and recommendations will be in place. I will forward the South Carolina United Methodist Annual Conference Covid-19 guidelines in a separate email.
Through it all I am ever reminded Jesus has already told us all the essentials of what we need to do…Love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. During this time, we have the opportunity to shine in both of these areas! We will worship together virtually, seeking to grow deeper in our relationship with God! We will demonstrate loving our neighbor by doing all we can to stop the spread of the virus and continue to care for and check in on our neighbors. Here are some of the ways we can grow in love of God and care for our neighbors:
Worship with us virtually!
Avoid large gatherings!
Wear a mask!
Social Distance!
And finally…”Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for YOU (1Thessalonians 5:16-18). Because, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 New Living Translation)
Keep smiling! I am as close as a call if you need me.
Grace, Peace, and MANY Prayers,
Taylor
