03/18/2020
Calvary Chapel Rock Harvest
Coronavirus Update
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
As the threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) increases, we would like to address many of the pressing questions. As we head into uncharted territory, the leadership of Calvary Chapel Rock Harvest will use email and text to provide some clarity, share updates, and outline our plans to address this growing crisis.
At this time, there are no confirmed infections at our fellowship. The response to this declared pandemic is shifting rapidly, so we plan to act prayerfully and appropriately as we monitor local, state, and federal governments as well as health agencies. Our goal in these plans are to keep our congregation well in the midst of these uncertain times.
We have decided the following for our fellowship until further notice. Play Your Part in Keeping Our Church and Our Community Safe:
• Keep washing your hands. Use soap and water, and wash for at least 20 seconds. Use this time to pray for this pandemic, for any people affected, and for the Lord to work throughout.
• If you're feeling unwell, rest at home until you are better. If you feel ANY flu-like symptoms, please do not attend church, school, or any other related events. Symptoms to carefully watch include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, or fatigue.
• If you have recently travelled overseas and are unsure of contraction, please rest at home for the recommended two weeks. Please do not attend church or any church related events. This is especially important if you have recently traveled to a country where an outbreak has occurred. We recognize this changes often. For daily updates, visit the CDC Global Monitoriing site. (CDC Global Monitoring)
• If you are in the “high risk” category, please join the church service from home. As guided by the CDC (website), older adults and those that are immunocompromised with conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, should take extra actions to reduce their risk.
Facilities Plans and Preparedness:
The facilities at Calvary Chapel Rock Harvest have received increased sanitization on all surfaces prior to and after church services. At our current level, expect:
• Increased frequency of cleaning restrooms.
• Additional sanitizing of high touch areas before and after services.
If a confirmed infection were to occur at our fellowship, we are prepared to implement additional measures. We will continue to utilize our email and text to communicate to our congregation. In case of that event takes place, we will remain consistent in our communication by sending out emails and texts.
Church Service Gatherings:
• At this time we ARE having our regular services.
• We highly encourage you to stay home if you’re not feeling well and invite you to join us for our worship services via live stream on Facebok live at at 10 AM on Sunday mornings.
• We will not be serving communion at until later notice.
• Our Children’s Ministry is making sure there are no sick workers, and we ask that parents keep children at home who display any symptoms, such as: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, or fatigue. We are encouraging all ministry leaders to closely monitor their respective ministries and consult church leadership on the best way to move forward if a potential situation arises. We are carefully monitoring governmental guidance and are prepared to implement additional measures.
Tithes and Offerings:
People have asked how they can give their tithes and offerings if they are unable to attend our church services. In addition to tithing at our church services, here are couple of options.
• You may mail your tithe and offerings to us at 1038 East Wintergreen Road, Cedar Hill, TX 75104
• You may give online using our church website and utilizing our online giving link. This is a secure method of giving your tithes and offerings.
What Is Our Spiritual Response?
We are confident that GOD is still on the Throne and COVID-19 is no surprise to Him.
We also believe that this is a time that the Lord may work on hearts of people and want to keep our doors open for ministry.
Being a Christian means not living in fear as well as preparing well and having wisdom. This is a moment for Christians to step up and intercede for our world. We want to pray for our friends, our loved ones, those vulnerable among us, those in authority guiding our response to this pandemic, and of course, those directly affected by it.
As the Lord leads, consider reaching out to a neighbor, family member, or friend who will be negatively affected by the Coronavirus. Especially consider the elderly in your community and consider reaching out to pray, encourage, and/or even run a needed errand.
As these perilous times mount, we pray that the Gospel would go forth and many would be saved. The Lord often uses times of hardship to bring many to faith.
“God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Please keep our nation in prayer. Please keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to wisely minister to those around you.
