Coronavirus, Hope and Brotherly love

We as servants of Christ have been listening and reading any information pertaining to the Coronavirus pandemic.  Despite the challenges we face nowadays the LCMS Northern Illinois District continues to support its schools, churches, members and communities. 

        In accordance with Governor Pritzker’s plan the reopening process is split into four regions.  Meeting together in groups have been reduced to 10 on phase two and as time goes on the customer limits will allow for servicing more than 10 people at a time.

      The coronavirus pandemic has changed how business is done at the church as we move from one phase to another.  Small churches have taken technological steps to use technology for live streaming of worship services or recorded sermons and posted them on the church website.  This approach enables the church to remain connected to each other by listening to God’s word and share encouragement with one another.

       Although it sometimes takes years for a vaccine to be created to combat a specific illness, the country is using its resources to find a cure for coronavirus.  The below listed statistics show information pertaining to the United States and Illinois:   

         Matthew 24:6-8 says, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains”.

         This doesn’t mean that the end of civilization is approaching because these are not signs of the End Times.  Billy Graham’s 1969 message on the Second Coming said the following:

          “I belong to that group that has a theology of hope,” he said. “Because my hope is not centered in this world or in what man is going to do or not going to do. My hope is centered in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, who the Bible says is going to come back someday and straighten the whole mess out.”

             My request to all the readers is this:

       1).  Follow Governor Pritzker’s 5 phase plan of reopening

       2).  Have a ready supply of gloves, masks and hand sanitizer

       3).  Once the church opens up even if the limit is 10 or less come to the Lords house so that we can worship him.

       4).   Do not let fear keep you secluded from your families or church.

 Push politics aside and be obedient to Governor Pritzker’s 5 phase plan by following the instructions so that WE don't get anyone else sick.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”.

 Matthew 22:36-40 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

        God bless you all my dear brothers and sisters also including your families because we will all be back together again soon.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Pr. Ortiz