My Church Announcement

Preacher · 03-18-2020, 05:24 PM

I know that no one from the Bunker attends, but felt it might still be worth sharing:

Good evening folks.

It is with deep regret that I am announcing the cancellation of services at the Blackshere Charge on Sunday. My first reaction when this all started was to attack the enemy head on and hold services no matter what. I wasn’t about to let Satan back me into a corner, and I most certainly wasn’t about to allow myself to live in fear. My favorite movie line of all times comes from the Mel Gibson movie The Patriot where the preacher decided he would be leaving with the soldiers to fight against the British. Some of the soldiers were surprised to see a preacher join the fighting. To which the preacher responded, “A shepherd must attend to his flock. And at times, fight off the wolves.” Believe me, I was ready to fight.

So what has changed? Have I let the world’s fears get to me? Certainly not.

But as I was driving home tonight, I given a vision that can only be explained as the Holy Spirit. I had stopped by the store on the way home to get some groceries. I put them on the back of my pick up because the weather was beautiful today. I had my lunch box and tools sitting on the seat, So it seemed perfectly fine to put my groceries on back. No sooner than I leave the shopping center, it started to rain and I had to scramble to get my groceries inside where it was dry. Some of the items were in cardboard boxes, and they needed that protection.

I didn’t fear the rain, but my groceries needed protection.

I am not afraid to face a predator, but I also love my people. Sometimes the shepherd must fight off the wolves. But sometimes it is also the shepherds job to weather the storm. To protect those that need protecting by shielding them from the elements of this world, much like my groceries needed shelter from the rain.

I am not running from the wolves, but I am keeping the flock warm and dry from the rain.

We will keep an eye on things and make wise, informed decisions on a week by week basis. Through my connections at the hospital, I receive updates every day that are not influenced by the news media. When the storm is over, we will return from our shelter.

I will be looking at options of doing an online sermon either by video or conference call. I’ve never hosted a meeting in this manner, so I can’t promise to have all the details worked out by Sunday. But I will try.

I’ll share more details when they are available and I appreciate your understanding and prayers.

Thank you and God Bless.

aviator · 03-18-2020, 05:35 PM

Roger that, it came out really nice.

44044 · 03-18-2020, 07:43 PM

Very well said Sir...

and it gives US a reason to pause

and give thought to our current

situation...

Thank You

Czubek · 03-18-2020, 07:53 PM

Our Church Pyrmont Trinity Lutheran closed, as did St. Paul's LCMS in Stover, MO, but the Pastor at Christ Lutheran, in Stover is going to have Sunday services for those that want to attend, but that may change. Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, Russia is open, but Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Moscow is closed. Just figgered I'd throw those last two in.

Brian

aviator · 03-18-2020, 07:57 PM

My neighbor was here yesterday, their Synagogue is shutting down for services too, right across from University of Miami.

RetVet · 03-18-2020, 08:20 PM

Ours closed and the wife is pissed about it. No matter what, the church doors should always be open. Just my opinion.

Pogo · 03-18-2020, 11:59 PM

My church's doors will be open for anyone needing to see the pastor.

The Sunday service Wii be online.

A.J. · 03-19-2020, 01:45 AM

Good call, Chaplain. Better to live to fight another day than charge across open ground toward an enemy machinegun nest.

Preacher · 03-19-2020, 05:31 AM

I hear what you're saying and I will be in the Church attempting my first livestream. But here's a few things I had to consider.

2 weeks ago, I have an 86 year old lady that was released from the hospital on Saturday. Her and her husband were in Church on Sunday. They were both exhausted and slept through the service, but they were there. Everyone would have understood if they stayed home one Sunday. But they were there.

I have another family with babies. Another with compromised breathing due to severe asthma. Another that is 94.

These were just a few of the things I considered. This was a very painful decision.

Preacher · 03-19-2020, 05:32 AM

Czubek · 03-19-2020, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Preacher

I hear what you're saying and I will be in the Church attempting my first livestream. But here's a few things I had to consider.

2 weeks ago, I have an 86 year old lady that was released from the hospital on Saturday. Her and her husband were in Church on Sunday. They were both exhausted and slept through the service, but they were there. Everyone would have understood if they stayed home one Sunday. But they were there.

I have another family with babies. Another with compromised breathing due to severe asthma. Another that is 94.

These were just a few of the things I considered. This was a very painful decision.

The elderly, which are a large portion of our local congregations, are the main concern and reason for closing. They're the ones that would show up if they remain open and it would be hard to keep them away.

I did talk to the Pastor of Christ Lutheran and he said if they shut the doors, he'd open a window. I think that's a great attitude. He'll be there, one way or the other.

Brian

Pogo · 03-19-2020, 12:45 PM

In my county groups larger than 10 is prohibited.

Rick-a-Roo · 03-19-2020, 09:39 PM

email from our pastor today. The church will be closed for the next two Sundays, but his
service will be broadcast on-line.

Our congregation has a high proportion of old geezers like me, so it's not an
unreasonable action, and one I know hurts the pastor a lot...maybe more so than it
does the congregation.

Czubek · 03-20-2020, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogo

In my county groups larger than 10 is prohibited.

We aren't under those restrictions, yet, that I know of.

Brian

aviator · 03-20-2020, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogo

In my county groups larger than 10 is prohibited.

Same here and stores and malls are shutting down because of related infections.

03-18-2020, 05:24 PM	#1
Preacher Chaplain/Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 11,321	My Church Announcement I know that no one from the Bunker attends, but felt it might still be worth sharing: Good evening folks. It is with deep regret that I am announcing the cancellation of services at the Blackshere Charge on Sunday. My first reaction when this all started was to attack the enemy head on and hold services no matter what. I wasn’t about to let Satan back me into a corner, and I most certainly wasn’t about to allow myself to live in fear. My favorite movie line of all times comes from the Mel Gibson movie The Patriot where the preacher decided he would be leaving with the soldiers to fight against the British. Some of the soldiers were surprised to see a preacher join the fighting. To which the preacher responded, “A shepherd must attend to his flock. And at times, fight off the wolves.” Believe me, I was ready to fight. So what has changed? Have I let the world’s fears get to me? Certainly not. But as I was driving home tonight, I given a vision that can only be explained as the Holy Spirit. I had stopped by the store on the way home to get some groceries. I put them on the back of my pick up because the weather was beautiful today. I had my lunch box and tools sitting on the seat, So it seemed perfectly fine to put my groceries on back. No sooner than I leave the shopping center, it started to rain and I had to scramble to get my groceries inside where it was dry. Some of the items were in cardboard boxes, and they needed that protection. I didn’t fear the rain, but my groceries needed protection. I am not afraid to face a predator, but I also love my people. Sometimes the shepherd must fight off the wolves. But sometimes it is also the shepherds job to weather the storm. To protect those that need protecting by shielding them from the elements of this world, much like my groceries needed shelter from the rain. I am not running from the wolves, but I am keeping the flock warm and dry from the rain. We will keep an eye on things and make wise, informed decisions on a week by week basis. Through my connections at the hospital, I receive updates every day that are not influenced by the news media. When the storm is over, we will return from our shelter. I will be looking at options of doing an online sermon either by video or conference call. I’ve never hosted a meeting in this manner, so I can’t promise to have all the details worked out by Sunday. But I will try. I’ll share more details when they are available and I appreciate your understanding and prayers. Thank you and God Bless. __________________ You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done. Ronald Reagan - 1964 ------------------------------------- Bunker Member #4.

03-18-2020, 05:35 PM	#2
aviator unum de multis Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bunker's Headquarters. Posts: 52,391	Roger that, it came out really nice. __________________ "Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem." Pesident Ronald Reagan

03-18-2020, 07:53 PM	#4
Czubek slug Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stover, Missouri Posts: 33,622	Our Church Pyrmont Trinity Lutheran closed, as did St. Paul's LCMS in Stover, MO, but the Pastor at Christ Lutheran, in Stover is going to have Sunday services for those that want to attend, but that may change. Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, Russia is open, but Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Moscow is closed. Just figgered I'd throw those last two in. Brian __________________ 3 Here at the Dirty Dozen's Bunker, we have no problems, only solutions.

03-18-2020, 08:20 PM	#6
RetVet Statistical Error Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Homeless Posts: 43,654	Ours closed and the wife is pissed about it. No matter what, the church doors should always be open. Just my opinion. __________________ ^^^ For entertainment purposes. Use only as directed. ^^^ III

03-18-2020, 11:59 PM	#7
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 81,969	My church's doors will be open for anyone needing to see the pastor. The Sunday service Wii be online. __________________ .................................................. ....................................… *We have met the enemy, and he is us!*

03-18-2020, 07:43 PM	#3
44044 slug Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: swampeastmissouri Posts: 50,933	Very well said Sir... and it gives US a reason to pause and give thought to our current situation... Thank You

03-18-2020, 07:57 PM	#5
aviator unum de multis Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bunker's Headquarters. Posts: 52,391	My neighbor was here yesterday, their Synagogue is shutting down for services too, right across from University of Miami.

03-19-2020, 01:45 AM	#8
A.J. Dud Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,486	Good call, Chaplain. Better to live to fight another day than charge across open ground toward an enemy machinegun nest.

03-19-2020, 05:31 AM	#9
Preacher Chaplain/Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 11,321	I hear what you're saying and I will be in the Church attempting my first livestream. But here's a few things I had to consider. 2 weeks ago, I have an 86 year old lady that was released from the hospital on Saturday. Her and her husband were in Church on Sunday. They were both exhausted and slept through the service, but they were there. Everyone would have understood if they stayed home one Sunday. But they were there. I have another family with babies. Another with compromised breathing due to severe asthma. Another that is 94. These were just a few of the things I considered. This was a very painful decision.

03-19-2020, 05:32 AM	#10
Preacher Chaplain/Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 11,321

03-19-2020, 12:45 PM	#12
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 81,969	In my county groups larger than 10 is prohibited.

03-19-2020, 09:39 PM	#13
Rick-a-Roo Gaw' Blimey Limey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Round behind the sleazy bars of Telephone Road Posts: 25,878	email from our pastor today. The church will be closed for the next two Sundays, but his service will be broadcast on-line. Our congregation has a high proportion of old geezers like me, so it's not an unreasonable action, and one I know hurts the pastor a lot...maybe more so than it does the congregation. __________________ zulu6 out