Dear Foothills Church Family,
“Beloved “we” pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 1 John 2 This is a prayer written by the apostle John while he was in isolation and exile. It captures our prayers for all of you during these days of uncertainty and distancing.
We are overdue for an update to you regarding how and when we might reopen for public worship. Two weeks ago, the Whitehouse issued “Opening Up America Again,” guidelines based on satisfying a set of “gating criteria” through three phases. In the meantime, the Governor of Arizona has also announced reopening the state on a more “occasional” basis.
The Elder Team is working on a phased-in plan to reopen for Sunday worship. We will communicate that to you prior to Sunday, June 7. Until then, we will continue Church@Home through May 31.
In the meantime, thank you for your faithful engagement with Church@Home, as well as with our local mission partner, Rio Vista Center. Your gifts of groceries have served hundreds upon hundreds of families in need because of this crisis. The red barrels are still out at the facilities and we are delivering your gifts weekly.
Finally, beloved, Ephesians 4:8-11 teaches us that walking faithfully with Jesus, growing in maturity like Him and fighting sin is not something meant to be done in isolation from one another and the church. We need to gather again, not just because we miss seeing each other, which we do, but because God has designed that His sanctifying grace work through us to one another when we gather. Apart from gathering together for worship, prayer, observing the ordinances, and hearing the preaching of the scriptures, we are particularly vulnerable to the temptations that arise not only from within, but also from the Adversary. In the meantime, let’s be diligent to “…put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
With love,
The Elder Team