NEW CORONAVIRUS UPDATES
Dear YFC family,
Yesterday we sent an email and posted throughout our social media where we were at in light of the information that we had in regard to the coronavirus. As of today, we have received new information and are updating our statement from yesterday.
HONORING GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS
Today, our city government gathered together and decided to recommend any groups larger than 100 people to suspend their gatherings. Washington state Governor Jay Inslee also just announced a statewide restriction on any events over 250 people and a closure of all schools K-12.
In efforts to honor this request, we will no longer be gathering together in person this Sunday, March 15th and will be moving to a strictly online format for the foreseeable future.
LET'S BE CREATIVE
I know that with this type of news it is completely natural for us to experience fear, anxiety and worry… but as we stated in yesterday’s communication, 2 Timothy states, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
As we navigate through these changes together, I want to encourage you with the reality and the beauty of the fact that the church is not the building in which we gather, but it is the body of Christ. The church is the people!
Over the years and throughout different cultures, the church has been forced to get creative in the format of its gatherings.
Jake and I are choosing to not see us moving to an online only format as a negative, but as an opportunity for the church to flourish in a new way.
In a day where isolation and fear are becoming the norm, might we encourage you to get creative about what it looks like to be the church. We have the ability to bring encouragement, peace and love to our neighbors, co-workers, and those we come into contact with.
For those of you in life groups that are healthy and feel comfortable doing so, you are welcome to continue meeting in small groups to pray, study the Word and encourage one another.
We are committed to streaming our services online every week as a way for us to stay connected, encouraged and praising Jesus together.
RISK 2020
With details about the coronavirus unfolding what feels like every couple of hours, we don’t know when we will be able to gather together in person, but here is what I do know:
At the beginning of this year, we felt that God gave us the word Risk for the year 2020.
Now although this is not what we had in mind in terms of Risk for 2020, I do know that God’s kingdom cannot and will not be stifled. We can and will continue to take relational risks, pray for people, invite them to watch online, or lend a helping hand.
With that, This City – My City is not just an event that we had been planning, but a mindset. So, with all the unknown in the upcoming weeks, might I encourage you to stay in the mindset of focusing not only on ourselves, but on others.
Let’s commit to be people who pray, love, and serve.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thank you all for your flexibility and willingness to be creative in what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the coming weeks.
We love you all, are here for you, and are committed to be communicating with you all as news continues to develop. Keep an eye on your email and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for continued updates.
PRAYER & OTHER NEEDS
If you or your family are in need of prayer, simply click on the button at the bottom of this email to submit your prayer request.
If you are elderly or in need of some kind of help during this time, there is another button for you to click on at the bottom of this email. We will do our best to support in any way we can.
Although we will not be able to see you all in person on Sunday, know that we are looking forward to being together online this Sunday at 9 and 10:30 am. We are praying for you. We are praying for our city. And are choosing to trust Jesus!
We will see you all online!
WAYS TO PRAY
for all those in our community that are currently infected with the virus and those who have been exposed
for every medical professional in our community – that God would supernaturally protect them as they care for those who are in need
against fear, anxiety and stress
for families who are losing their forms of income because of the closures happening
for Gods hand of protection over the Yakima Valley
If you are elderly or in need of some kind of help during this time, please email us by clicking the button below and we will do our best to support in any way we can.
YFC KIDS AT HOME
Nothing can replace meeting together in person, but we hope these weekly resources will provide an online option for you and your family to stay consistent. We are committed to providing the tools you need to create an experience at home with your family despite these circumstances.
With all love,
Pastors Chantal and Jacob Edler
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim. 1:7 (NKJV)