Jesus is still King: Coronavirus & Coulee Rock

Dear Coulee Rock Saints,

This week the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has dominated the news. The Coronavirus has been classified as a pandemic. Major sporting events have been canceled. The stock market has dropped dramatically. Stores even seem to be low or out of supplies like toilet paper. We wanted to assure you we have been closely tracking the news of the Coronavirus both locally and globally for several weeks.

For many, the spread of this virus has caused fear and anxiety. Scripture is clear that God has given us a spirit of love, not fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Our prayer is that we would sense peace in the midst of these circumstances. This does not mean we should be careless or reactionary; rather, may we apply faith and work together to serve each other and our community in a way that demonstrates trust in our God who is in control. Remember, our friends, neighbors, & loved ones who don’t know God are facing this rapidly spreading pandemic without the hope, peace, & comfort from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s love for the entire human race is sometimes experienced most tangibly by people when the truth of the hopelessness offered by the world is most clearly on display.

I'm reminded of the time the disciples were in a boat with Jesus. As Jesus slept a great windstorm arose. The waves crashed over the boat & they were being swamped. The disciples, much like many today, saw the world around them seemed to be in chaos and fear built up inside of them. So they woke Jesus up. Jesus got up and said to the sea, to the chaos around them, ""Silence! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:39b, CSB). In the midst of the storm, Jesus was still in control. In the midst of major sporting events being canceled, in the midst of the market dropping, in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, Jesus is still in control. Amen?

At this time we are still planning on gathering together to worship God on Sunday, March 15th at 10am as we usually do. We are monitoring updates from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and, for now, they are only recommending gatherings above 250 be canceled or postponed. (https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/covid-19.htm). This is obviously a very fluid situation and our course may be altered slightly or changed completely depending on how the coming days & weeks unfold. For now, many of the recommendations are preventative in nature so we feel comfortable still meeting to worship together. Please rest assured we are monitoring the situation and prayerfully seeking God on our steps moving forward.

For those who may be more susceptible, identified by the DHS as, “older adults, individuals with underlying health care conditions, or other vulnerable groups” we would like to communicate our love and caution. Although we would love for you to join us and enjoy fellowship together this weekend we'd like to lovingly remind you that staying home may be your safest and most reasonable action.

We will continue to keep you updated on any changes if/when they arise.

God bless,

Dave, Lance, & Peter