Update: since this post, we have cancelled all services and events for the next few weeks. Please follow us on Facebook for the latest information.
With the escalating concerns surrounding the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the leadership of Aletheia church thought it prudent to reach out to you regarding our posture and mode of operation during this time of unsettledness.
Please take a few minutes to read through these three articles: COVID-19 - COVID-19 -
COVID-19 for more information about why we should begin to take action.
As followers of Jesus, we are the people of the resurrection. What that means is for us is that no matter what happens here in this life, our hope and ultimate destiny rests in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While all of creation continues to groan under the curse of sin, while we groan inwardly in anticipation of final salvation, and when confronted with situations that we cannot possibly put into words, we must remember that:
“Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8.34-39 ESV)
Take courage, church family! Christ has already defeated any and all enemies, and we will rise victoriously with him in the final resurrection. Let us then go boldly to him in our time of need so that we may find help (Hebrews 4.16); and further more, let us go boldly into the world and serve our neighbors with peace in our hearts.
Here is a helpful link to an article from a pastor at an A29 church in Richmond.
What does this mean for our Sunday morning gathering and our Community Groups?
As people of Christ who aren’t motivated by fear, we also want to be mindful of what it means to exist for the common good of our city and its surrounding communities. Therefore, we will follow guidelines for all of our gatherings as they are issued by state government and local health officials (please pray for those in leadership who bear the responsibility of our communities), and begin to take small precautionary measures as a church family that can help aid in suppressing a potential outbreak here in our area. We live among and network with people who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, and therefore want to be faithful in our public walk to care for those before the disease has a chance to take root here in the Harrisonburg area as best we can.
Please check our social media or website daily for the most up-to-date information about events and services. As it stands right now, we have postponed all physical gatherings until further notice.
In the end, remember the words of of the Psalmists:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91.1-2 ESV)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” (Psalm 46.1-3 ESV)