October 20, 2020
To All Members and Friends of Saint Paul:
The Lord says wise people see danger coming and take steps to avoid it. Fools ignore the danger and fall into ruin (Proverbs 22:3 and Proverbs 27:12).
I have received this press release: Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are announcing COVID-19 resurgence mitigations will be implemented in Region 7 (Will and Kankakee counties) and Region 8 (Kane and DuPage counties), beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2020. Both regions are seeing a 7-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8 percent or above for three consecutive days, which exceeds the threshold set for establishing mitigation measures under the state’s Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan.
We are sad to see that our region is experiencing a serious up-tick in COVID cases. What does this mean for us as a congregation? Governor Pritzker put it this way: “By the end of this week, four regions will all be operating under the standard resurgence mitigations — that includes no indoor dining or indoor bar service and limiting in-person gatherings to no more than 25 individuals.”
As such, we will have to suspend our 5:30 p.m. Saturday worship service and our 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning worship service for a time. Weather permitting, we will have the Parking Lot worship on October 25 at 10:30 a.m. (This will be the last Parking Lot worship until next Spring.)
Our midweek Bible classes average anywhere from seven to twelve each class. There is no reason to discontinue them at this time. Our class on Exodus meets at 7:00 p.m. in Church on Tuesdays. Our class on Ruth meets in Church on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. Communion will be offered to those who wish to receive it at both classes.
That said, as always, if you are in a high risk group, or feel sick, or just do not want to be in a crowd, then feel free to stay home. God wants us to protect our own health, and also to care for the health of other people.
A word of hope: “The actions we take today to slow the spread of this virus will define what happens in the coming days, weeks and months,” said Dr. Justin Macariola-Coad, Interim Chief Medical Officer at Advocate Sherman Hospital. “Wearing a mask, washing your hands, and keeping your distance from others will prevent the spread of this illness and save lives. The more we ignore taking these basic steps, the more people will get sick and the harder it will be on the health care system and our brave frontline clinical workers to keep up with the pandemic this winter and help care for our communities across the Northwest suburbs.”
A better word of hope: (Luke 12:32) “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
And (Psalm 37:23-24) “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
And (Hebrews 10:24-25) “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
To summarize:
1.) We are discontinuing our Saturday and Sunday worships until further notice. Exception: we will hold the Parking Lot Worship this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. (weather permitting).
2.) Midweek Bible Classes will continue.
3.) We will keep putting up a new worship service on the internet each week
4.) The information meeting on Thursday, October 22, will still take place. We are asking each family to send one representative. This meeting is only for information on the revised land purchase offer — no decision making or voting will take place.
Together we pray for those afflicted with COVID-19. We pray the Lord will watch over and protect all care givers. We pray we will do our part to protect everyone’s health.
In Jesus’ Love,
Pastor Zimmerman
630.797.8246.