​According to my count, we now have 14 of our worship leadership, including family members, who are under quarantine due to COVID infection. As a result, it has become necessary to make the hard decision to return to online worship beginning next Sunday, December 20th. This is especially disappointing due to our joy in coming together to celebrate the Christmas season. Since being diagnosed COVID positive this past Sunday morning, Robbie and I have been forced to approach this Christmas season in a completely different way.
 
For one thing, we are separated by 17 steps between the downstairs part of our home where I am, and the upstairs portion where Robbie is. I’m positive and Robbie is not, so we talk to each other these days by phone. Robbie prepares food and I pick it up at the top of the stairs. I must let her know when I need to come upstairs to take my medicine so she can put her mask on and step away from the area where I am going to be. The space where I am is certainly quieter, but it is also lonelier. I don’t like the feeling of separation especially at Christmas.
 
We have not been able to shop for our family yet. We cannot go out of the house and we cannot be together to do any shopping online. We like to Christmas shop for our grandchildren together. It may be that we can get our shopping done in a few days when I am COVID free, but it will be a last minute kind of thing where we will be rushed and robbed of the full enjoyment of it.
 
Prior to testing positive, God had given me every sermon topic that He was leading me to preach throughout the Christmas Season. I was able to preach the first sermon and have the second ready to preach, but missing two weeks puts me behind with the second sermon to preach online next week. I cannot wait to preach even though I’m behind in the schedule God gave me. Thank you, Bradley Elliot and Earl Pirkle, for your friendship and able leadership to preach for me. I give thanks for able preachers in our church and area who are eager to be called on when needed.
 
Thank you, Chuck Whitehead and Deacon Body for your prayers and leadership during this difficult time. Your support and continued ministry in contacting your families is essential. All of our deacons have been called to serve the Lord and His church. They all are committed to lead our church fellowship and keep us together in ministry and outreach. I am confident that during this return to online worship, our fellowship will continue to thrive through the leadership of our Deacon Body and your diligent devotion and loyalty to the Lord.
 
COVID has been more of an inconvenience than a crisis in our family. My symptoms have been mild and I give God praise for His healing hand of mercy. None of those among us who have tested positive have been critical so far. Praise the Lord! To give enough time to get everyone past the quarantine requirements and account for spread to other family members, we need to allow 6 weeks to pass. We plan at this time to worship online until Sunday morning, February 7th. God is already speaking to me about our coming back to in-person worship with an emphasis on reconciliation. He has led me to 2 Corinthians 5:20. We will call our first Sunday coming back together, “BE RECONCILED TO GOD SUNDAY.” Praise God for His ministry of reconciliation which brings us back together and binds our wounds with His amazing love and mercy.

Today our church family lights the Peace Candle in our continued celebration of the Advent Season. Remember how the angels glorified God by singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Peace comes to us through Jesus who gave His life to make us right with God. We have peace through Him because He is our “Peacemaker.” Get rid of any strife or enmity in your heart that hinders you from realizing the peace of the Lord. Put down revenge and hatefulness and pick up the mantle of God’s peace. Let your mind and your heart rest in Jesus. He will give you His peace. It surpasses all human understanding (Philippians 4:7).
 
The church will be called into Business Conference at the end of the worship service on Sunday, December 13th. The purpose of the conference is to present to the congregation the year-end financial statement for approval. The church will also vote to approve the 2021 Church Budget which will guide the work and ministries of our church for the first 6 months of the year. With the pandemic still upon us, the Stewardship and Finance Team determined to only budget the first half of the year and then make revisions for the second half based on the pandemic situation and financial outlook over the remaining 6 months. The church ministry calendar, events and ministry forecast continues to remain uncertain. We trust that the outlook and opportunities will be much improved by June of 2021.
 
The financial standing of our church has been strong thus far. Income has exceeded the 2020 budget projection. Our people have continued to be faithful. In fact, a substantial balance has accumulated in our general account due over the year. The Stewardship and Finance Team has been led to unanimously recommend that $45,000 be transferred from the general fund and applied to the mortgage debt on our property and facilities. By this transfer, the building debt will be reduced from $445,000 to a bit under $400,000 which will save the church $21,000 in interest over the loan’s three-year term. The church will be asked to approve this recommendation in the business conference on December 13th.
 
In addition, the Stewardship and Finance Team also asks that our congregation consider a special offering for the purpose of debt reduction through the end of the 2020. You may be in a position where God could lead you to give over and above your regular tithes and offerings a year-end gift to be added to the transfer amount from the general fund. Your special gift will be tax deductible. Every cent will be applied to the debt whether it is $1, $100, $1,000 or more. Please pray about what the Lord may lead you to contribute to this debt eliminating opportunity.
 
We serve a God of peace. He does not intend that His people live under the bondage of sin, fear, worry, or debt. As we light the “Peace” candle this morning, praise the Lord for the peace we enjoy in Jesus. While the world battles outside, we have the peace of Jesus abiding in our hearts. May His peace rule in your hearts this Christmas season.