Message Concerning the Coronavirus - Mt. Olive AME Zion Church
Dear Mt. Olive:
I have been prayerful over the past week concerning the spread of the coronavirus and how it would effect our community. I have monitored the spread in this area; the cases in Wake County; the Durham resident who contracted out of state; and I am aware that Durham schools will be closed beginning Monday. All of these things have weighted heavily upon me because I am not only concerned about your spiritual well-being, I am also concerned about your physical well-being. It is this concern that has kept me in prayer this week concerning whether we should continue with services. We are to worship God in all things and in all circumstances; yet, I must also be concerned with public safety.
As I was watching the news last night, I received a message from Bishop Monroe. His message said:
Unfortunately, Governor Cooper has requested that any public gathering must be within 100 people. Of course, such a request is troubling because it does not take into account how persons demonstrates or expresses their faith. I am asking all members of the ENCED to use Godly judgement about church activities and worship services or gatherings. In some instances, it is difficult to determine how many people will be in a Worship or church gathering. However, I would not encourage any of our pastors to cancel a worship service.
With this encouragement, all services at Mt. Olive will continue. The corporate worship of God is the focal point, the life-blood – if you will – of any church community. It is what binds us together and strengthens us both for ministry, and for week ahead. This is why we are encouraged not to neglect our worshipping
together (Heb. 10:25).
Let me assure you that as we continue to worship and study together as a community, we are taking every precaution to protect you. I have been in conversation with the Trustees and they are making sure that sanitizer, soap and other things are readily available for you. Renee is giving extra attention to making sure that pews are cleaned, wiped down and sprayed with disinfectant. We are taking as much care as possible to make sure the environment is safe.
At the same time, if you are feeling sick or there are persons in your household who are sick, it would be better if you remained home until you recover. All of our sermons are livestreamed as well as our Bible Studies and the links to those are provided with this email. You can also continue to support the church by
giving through to Givelify app. Also provided with this email is the link to our website which will also have links to the livestreams and the Givelify app.
I ask us to first pray for this country; the leadership and those who have the responsibility for public health and safety that God will strengthen them as they confront this virus. Pray also for those who have been effected. Ask God to give them the grace and the strength to recover. Let us pray for the families of those who have succumbed to this virus. We pray that God will be their comforter at this time. Then, let us pray for ourselves that God would provide grace, and would sustain us in this troubled time.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of this hour, For the facing of this hour.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days, For the living of these days.
Mt. Olive Facebook (for live streaming 10am morning service): https://www.facebook.com/MtOliveAMEZ/
Mt. Olive Bible Study (Wednesday Night 7pm): https://www.facebook.com/MOAMEZBibleStudy/
Givelify (You will have to set up an account): https://www.givelify.com/givenow/1.0/MTA3NQ==/selection
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Reginald Broadnax