Doing “Church” in Flu Season

What is the church going to do if we have a flu outbreak in our community?  First of all, we will focus our attention on taking precautions to keep you and your family healthy. Our great God invites us to be good stewards of our health (1 Thessalonians 4:4).   I will be keeping in touch with public health and MeritCare, and will try to stay on top of the latest information available from local, state and national health authorities. We will follow CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines.

At this point we do not need to change how we do “church”. Continue to shake hands and hug one another, unless you feel uncomfortable in doing so. For some, it is maybe the only time they have human contact during the week. Fellowship and caring for one another is an important part of keeping healthy. I will have hand sanitizer available at the information booth. Please feel free to use it. As we learn more this may change in the future, depending on the severity of the outbreak. Let’s focus on good hand washing, covering our mouths and noses when we cough or sneeze and staying home when we are ill – it is ok to skip church if you are sick.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6 NIV).

A Child’s Faith Development

As the school season begins, many parents are concerned about their child’s progress in the academic world. Will my preschooler know the ABC’s and 1, 2, 3’s? Can a 3rd grader learn multiplication? How will my 6th grader adjust to the routines of middle school? Will my son or daughter graduate? Every caring parent has these kinds of questions. As an involved mom or dad, steps are taken to assist with the process. Study times are set, assignments checked, encouragement is given and efforts are made to communicate with teachers. This usually leads to success!

What about faith development? Since faith is caught more than taught, the best way parents can start is to simply model a Christ-centered life. Tell your own faith story to your child. Pray with them. Read the Bible. Worship together regularly. And have a sense of joy doing it! Also, get them involved with peers through church ministry so friends can grow together. The church is here to be a living partnership between the ministry of the congregation and the ministry of the home. We strive to support and encourage parents and children in knowing Jesus Christ as the living Savior!