Members and Friends of Cascade Christian Church,

Isaiah 43: 2 reminds us of God’s loving Presence in all challenges:

When you pass through the waters,

    I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

    they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

    you will not be burned;

    the flames will not set you ablaze.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in these challenging times.  As a church family we are facing the coronavirus by trusting and honoring God, stepping up to help one another and our neighbors in new and loving ways.  The church staff and board continue to monitor the situation and comply with the regulations that have been imposed due to the outbreak. 

To do our part in mitigating the spread of the virus we will not have our regular classes and programs.  The staff is looking at creative online outreach, activities for our children and youth, and ways to broadcast our adult classes and Grief Share support group.

Worship services will continue to be different in the month of March, and we will update you as things change.  Due to the recommendation that no more than 10 people should gather, there will not be public worship services on March 22 and 29.  We will have online worship at 10:00AM through the church website and will continue to mail out the sermon through Home Touch.  Please call the church office if you would like to be added to our Home Touch mailing list.  We are looking into additional ways to share the worship service, and we welcome your thoughts and ideas.

I also realize the spiritual, emotional, mental, and financial strain that many people are facing.  I plan to be at the church office daily, so please call if you would like to talk, pray, or need resources.  Our partners at Pine Rest offer the following suggestions for coping with stress: practice your faith, take care of yourself physically, help others (and the church will provide ideas on how we can do that), avoid other unnecessary changes in your life, take time to rest and calm mind/body/spirit, maintain social ties and spend time with good listeners through the phone or online, have a grateful heart, avoid mood altering drugs and alcohol, and ask for help.  Free online counseling is available through Pine Rest. To access call 616-455-6210 or 800-442-0809 and tell them you are part of Cascade Christian CAP (Church Assistant Partner).

In closing, I encourage you to meditate on Psalm 91:1-4

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you

    from the fowler’s snare

    and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

As we journey through this time, we walk together. You are not alone; the Lord is with you. The God of Isaiah 43 has not changed, and God will see you through the fire and deep waters of this virus.  We stand united as a church, we will trust God, and we are here for one another.  This is still Lent, a time of sacrifice and a time to reflect on what Jesus Christ has done and is doing for us. As we think of all that Christ has done, we can be calm in gratitude.  Whatever the next weeks hold, God holds the future, and God holds you.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

With love in Christ,

Jill Forton

Church  616.949.1360 ex. 102

Cell 616.490.9146

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