COVID-19 UPDATE FOR THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 15

Greetings Oak Hill Church,

We know that many of you are continuing to follow the news reports surrounding the continued impact and spread of the coronavirus across our nation. We are still feeling the effects of this pandemic in various ways here in Minnesota. As the influx of updates and information continues, our desire is to continue to keep you aware and updated regarding our processing of these events as they shape our lives together as a church body.

One of our main concerns is to continue to ensure the safety and well-being of all people that are connected to our congregation. There have been some precautionary steps that we have taken to help assist in this endeavor and more may follow. We take very seriously, the responsibility of making sure that Oak Hill can be a place where we proceed with appropriate caution while trusting in the care and provision of God.

It is with this in mind that we intend to proceed with gathering for worship tomorrow (Sunday, March 15.) We will continue to monitor reports, press releases, guidelines, and recommendations from state and local government and health officials that will play into this decision, but the plan will be to meet for church at 10:30 am. Please note that the plan will be to only have a worship service on this date.

Here are some important additional details to know for Sunday, March 15:

• All Sunday School classes will not meet (children, youth, adult)
• The nursery will be closed
• Only coffee, water, and juice will be served during the after-service fellowship time (no snacks)

In addition to these specifics for this Sunday, we also will be refraining from passing the offering plates during the worship service. Instead, there will be boxes available at the back of the sanctuary to drop your cash or check. You are also invited to give online.

We would also like to remind you of some of the other precautionary steps we encouraged during our last email:

• Please be sure to wash and sanitize your hands often. Our bathrooms are stocked with soap and we will have hand sanitizer available in the Fellowship Hall.
• If you are not feeling well, we encourage you to stay home to rest or seek medical attention if necessary.
• Be conscientious in our greeting of one another. It may be advisable to avoid shaking hands or giving hugs during this time.

We will continue to update you as we process ongoing ministry activities beyond this Sunday service. We want to continue to do our due diligence in being both good citizens of God’s Kingdom and this world that He has given us to live in. We also want to make wise decisions that are balanced by faith and best practice.

We would encourage you to keep praying. Pray for those who are being directly impacted by this virus. Pray for God’s comfort and peace to be near those who are anxious and fearful. Pray that people would find reassurance in His promises. We also encourage you to reach out in love to those around you. In uncertain times like this your neighbors, co-workers, or classmates may ask a question or be struggling with a fear in which the answer is found in the Gospel. Be encouraged to share the hope we have in Christ as His children. Finally, we invite you to trust. Trust that God is in control. Be reassured that He is big enough to handle this crisis. Rest in the promises of the Creator of the Universe and find comfort in His Word which is certain and sure of the hope that is ours through Christ.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

In Grace and Truth,
Pastor Ben and the Oak Hill Elders