Our Response to COVID-19
In a time of national crisis, we expect certain institutions to be open and certain people to be on duty. We expect hospitals to have their doors open to receive and treat patients. We expect our police and firefighters to be ready and available to rescue and to help and to keep the peace. The Church is another one of those essential services. It is a place where people turn for help and for comfort in a climate of fear and uncertainty.
Therefore, it would be wrong of us to close our doors. In a time of uncertainty, people are fearful and in need of comfort. Even the people that do not attend church regularly, or never go to church, need to know that there is somewhere for them to go when they need help.
Parkside Community Church is doing everything in our power to support the efforts of our wider community by cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and taking any other recommended measures to protect our people and keep them healthy and safe. We have been given the right to choose in America if we want to attend church. We will never force anyone to come to church (it is always a choice). So, if anyone would prefer to stay at home for their own health, we encourage them to do that and to continue to watch the services online.
Our church stands in faith believing the Word of God (The Bible). The scriptures are clear and we have decided as a Church body to follow them;
“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.”
“Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.”
“There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”
“He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
“…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
“….We ought to obey God rather than men.”
“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread…..”
It is important for us to keep our doors open for anyone who needs prayer or ministry. We are the Body of Jesus Christ and believe God’s Holy Word. We also believe that we are fulfilling our assignment as true American citizens. The church is being attacked by ungodly and unauthorized politicians that are abusing their positions. The Constitution of the United States of America is the backbone of our nation, and it is the supreme law of the land. We believe we are not rebelling against authority, but we are upholding the supreme authority of our country. It is our right, according to the 1st Amendment, to assemble in our church. The government has continued to “try” and eliminate church gatherings; this is a violation of the Constitution of the United States of America. It is ungodly and unlawful for anyone in government to take away our Constitutional rights as citizens of our great nation. We are free as Americans.
“CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR OF THE PRESS; OR THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE, AND TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES. Psalms 107:20
People are looking for leadership; both natural and spiritual; to be calm and strong to lead them through this unsettling time. We hope and trust that all media outlets would properly and correctly report “truth”; and resist the temptation to fabricate lies in such a way as to exacerbate people’s panic, fear and anxiety. We will steadfastly pray for our city, state and nation. We believe that our God has the answers and we (America) will conquer this ungodly virus for the entire world.
In God Do We Trust,
Thad Reece
Senior Pastor
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
