UPDATE COVID-19 as of 11/19/2020

Blessings to you in the name of Jesus Christ!

    During this year, we can all agree that we have been witness to and are experiencing situations and events, that at this time last year were inconceivable.  Everyone has formed their own opinions with regards to these events.  I simply ask that you keep an open heart and an open mind to what opportunity God may be calling us towards.  It is important that we seek the Holy Spirit's presence at all times and especially now.  

    Monday afternoon, the United Methodist Church held a town hall meeting with IU Health doctors and a hospital chaplain, hosted by Bishop Trimble.  Much of the focus was on stresses being experienced by doctors, nurses and staff with the increasing infection numbers.  A large number of these health care workers have contracted COVID-19 and many others have had to quarantine.  This puts more stress on the remaining staff.  At the conclusion of the meeting, and in a follow-up email Tuesday, the Bishop recommended the following,

"...it is the recommendation of your Bishop that all churches should suspend in-person worship and in-person meetings of groups for the foreseeable future until the number of COVID cases improve. This will likely include making alternative plans for the holidays." 

    Here at Herbst, we have not had anyone contract the virus from any of our worship gatherings.  However, we are aware of more and more people in the community testing positive.  While many don't require hospitalization, any additional person who may need hospital treatment creates more stress on an already stressful situation.  The bishop's point is that to continue gathering together creates a higher risk to one another and those in our community at this time.  

    Therefore, effective immediately, Herbst UMC will suspend in-person worship and group meetings.  We will continue to monitor the situation daily and will provide updates using this blog channel.  

    I invite everyone into a time prayer and discernment on how during this holiday season Herbst UMC can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serve as his hands and feet in our community. 

    As before, I will be putting Scripture readings and a sermon on the YouTube channel and this blog page.  I am currently praying about several other ideas to help us seize the opportunity that God is calling to each and every heart.  Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of the Messiah, Christ our Lord.  Let us lift our eyes to the Lord and serve him faithfully.

    As a "next step", I invite you to reach out to others in the congregation. Share the blog page and YouTube channel with others and help teach them how to gain access.   My goal is to have the message recorded by Saturday night so it will be available Sunday mornings. 

    I know that these changes will bring questions to mind that we should take an opportunity to discuss.  I offer that you reach out to me at the church or via my cell phone and look forward to the chance to discover God's response to these questions with you.

I am praying for you all in the name and power of Jesus Christ!

Pastor Jeremy