Dear saints of Pasadena OPC,
Grace and peace! In light of the recent warnings of the CDC and the request/order of the civil government, the session has decided to cancel all in-person church-sponsored events and activities for the foreseeable future and to hold our Morning worship service by live-streaming at its regular time (11am on Sundays) with individuals and families participating in worship services from their homes.
Though we strive as a body to honor the fourth commandment and worship the Lord corporately on Sunday, we must also keep in mind the sixth commandment, which includes the responsibility of not “neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of the preservation of life…and whatever else tends to the destruction of the life of any” (WLC 136). According to the warnings of medical experts, COVID-19 poses a significant risk to those over sixty years of age or with chronic health conditions related to the heart or lungs, or diabetes. As it is our duty to ensure their well-being, we deem it prudent to heed such counsel.
Thus, for the near term Pasadena OPC will be holding worship by live-stream in lieu of in-person public participation. Pastor Cotta will continue to lead worship from the pulpit at the church building. If you need instructions on how to participate via live-stream or if you need to borrow a Trinity Psalter Hymnal to sing and follow along at home, please contact Pastor Cotta. Bulletins will be provided for you electronically through e-mail.
Under current public health guidelines, up to nine additional persons may join Pastor Cotta at the church building each week. These few volunteers will help facilitate the live stream technology, corporate singing and provide our pastor with people to whom he can see as he preaches and leads worship. If you would like to volunteer to be physically present at worship during any particular week for either morning or evening worship, please contact Pastor Cotta.
Since those at home will not be able to give gifts and offerings during the service, we have placed a ‘Give’ button on the homepage of our church website (pasadenaopc.com) that you can use, or you can use this direct link (https://tithe.ly/give?c=1285378), or, best of all, you can download the tithe.ly app onto your mobile device and give that way. In any case, thank you for your faithful giving.
We are holding a mid-week study on the book of Revelation (Wednesdays at 11am) via FB live-stream and GoToMeeting (https://www.gotomeeting.com/). Officers training will continue to meet via GoToMeeting on Monday nights at 7pm. We will also hold a Sunday Evening Devotional, with Prayer and Singing, via GoToMeeting (Sundays, 8pm). If you need help downloading/using GoToMeeting, call Pastor Cotta.
Remember, we are being called to social distancing, not social isolation. So how do we continue to connect with one another and maintain the bonds of community? This will be our great challenge. The answer is that we will have to “meet” online and via phone. You are encouraged to keep in contact with each other, encourage each other, and pray for each other. “Meet” for bible study, prayer meetings, and hymn-sings. Please send any prayer requests to Pastor Cotta. These will be disseminated through e-mail so that we can continue our daily intercessions for one another.
To sum-up:
- Morning Services will be live-streamed, and GoToMeeting will be used for weekly meetings and Sunday evenings
- You are encouraged to stay home and participate with your family in these worship services, but we are looking for a few volunteers each week who are able and willing to be physically present and assist in the singing, instrumental accompaniment and technology
- Please use tithe.ly to continue to give and support our church plant
- Stay connected with one another online and over the phone
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace! (Ps. 29:10-11)
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:5-7 ESV)
In Christ,
The Session of Pasadena OPC
