Edgemont Update 3-26-2020

Edgemont Church family,

I hope that all of you are doing well and are doing your part to social distance as we seek to limit the spread of the Covid 19 virus. Some of you may have already seen the announcement from the Bishop and Cabinet who have requested the North Alabama Churches to continue to suspend in-person worship and gatherings until at least April 13th at the earliest (here is a link to that post https://www.umcna.org/postdetail/13538148). Edgemont will be suspending in-person worship until then and will continue with our recorded services that will be available at 11:00am on Sundays through our YouTube Channel, Website, and Facebook page. (Links to all can be found and the bottom of this post)

Many of our lives and routines have been turned upside down by this virus. Yet, they are being turned upside down with a purpose, a purpose of caring for those who are most vulnerable. I am reminded of a passage from 1 John 3, verses 16-18,

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

In this time when we are self-quarantining, we are in a very real sense, laying down our lives for others. We are willingly giving up our freedom of movement for the sake of those most susceptible to the Covid 19 virus. By staying home, our actions show that we care about the health of all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Even though we won’t be together in person, we will continue to worship and be in ministry together. Our church is active in checking on each other, continuing to send out cards, and is serving meals through our mobile ministry team in safe ways. We will observe Holy Week by having our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Services and celebrating Christ’s Resurrection on Easter, even if we are not in the same building. We will do so, because we are those who are willing to lay down our lives for one another and love not just with words, but with actions.

Thank you all for being a part of the Edgemont Church Family!

Pastor Henry

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpdf_Mno-REodj4bBW0iOQ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Edgemont/

Website: https://www.edgemontumc.org