UPDATE 3/28/20
Due to the Governor's 30-day "stay at home" order and disallowance of a gathering of more than 10 people, we have suspended all meetings until further notice. All services will be conducted online until such time as we are able to safely gather again.
UPDATE 3/18/20: CFC Response Plan
Dear Church Family:
As you know, we have recently been challenged to navigate a unique set of circumstances. We, the leadership of CFC, find ourselves having to respond to new developments with the Coronavirus pandemic weekly, or even daily. Thank you for your patience and understanding, as well as your prayers for wisdom and guidance.
The staff, the deacons, and I met Sunday (3.15.20) to discuss a new plan of action for CFC. Our considerations included: the risk that Coronavirus (COVID-19) potentially will present to our membership, primarily our senior congregants and those with health conditions; how we can “love our neighbors” best by limiting close contact in order to reduce the risk of introduction of the virus into our community, while also being available to those in need and distress; the precautions some other churches in our area have taken; the Governor’s executive order (which was voted into law) and our biblical mandate from Romans 13 to “be subject to governing authorities” (unless they demand we violate conscience or God's Word); the likelihood that the virus has come to our area without detection. On Monday we included the recommendations of the CDC, which reads: [the] CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consists of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Keeping in mind that our plans may need to change at any time, we believe the following recourse is presently both faithful and prudent:
1.As you know, the President and his team of experts have recommended not assembling in groups of more than 10 people for at least the next 2 weeks. Due to the escalation of the current crisis, everyone is being asked to be proactive by using social distancing.
After several days of prayer and discussion, the deacons and I are unified in canceling the Sunday services at Cornerstone for the next two weeks. Although we planned on having abbreviated services, that no longer seems wise. Not only are we all susceptible to the COVID-19 virus, but many of us have family members and/or friends who are "high risk" cases. Therefore, we believe this decision is the most loving action to take at this time.
We will continue to keep you updated of changes to CFC's schedule. In the meantime, we pray you will enjoy your families and strengthen the “family altar”. Please use this opportunity to witness to those searching for answers. Stay strong in the Lord... Jesus is coming again!
The fund-raiser dinner scheduled for this coming Sunday is canceled. We are also rescheduling our guest speaker Cory Truax.
The sermon podcasts will be posted on our website as usual.
We are asking that everyone remember the church’s financial obligations, even if you are not attending church. You can give online at CornerstoneChurchWaynesville.com, or simply mail in your gifts (224 Barber Hill Dr. Waynesville, NC 28786).
Here is the link to online giving:
https://www.cornerstonechurchwaynesville.com/giving.html
2. Sunday School: We are canceling Sunday School discipleship until further notice.
3. Wednesdays: We are canceling our Wednesday night gathering, including Simple Suppers and all classes, until further notice.
4. Other Groups & Meetings: We are NOT canceling the Thursday night prayer meeting at CFC due to our need for prayer, especially at this time. Attend as the Lord leads you. We ARE canceling the last Unleashed session this Saturday. All other regular groups who meet off campus are to use their own prayerful discretion. Those groups include: the lady’s bible study at Mary Lou’s house; the men’s Tuesday-morning prayer breakfast; the Saturday bible study at Jerry Koch’s house; etc. Each leader/facilitator should communicate with those who attend their respective group about any decision made.
5. Assistance: Lastly, if any elderly and/or disabled members of the church find themselves in need, we are here to help. That includes picking up prescriptions and/or groceries, prayer, and help with viewing the services online. You can call, text, or email me (pastor) and/or any deacon of the church.
We pray that you all stay in good health and that you remain faithful to our Lord during these days of testing. Please use your homes as “worship centers” and “houses of prayer”. I remind you: often the Lord humbles the world so that His church rises to the occasion. We shine God's glory in the darkest night. We make people thirsty for Jesus as spiritual salt in an unsavory world. We stand boldly and confident on Christ our Rock while the world succumbs to fear. And we proclaim eternal life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a dying world. Thank you for being such a church!
Grace and Peace in the Name of Messiah,
Pastor Shayne