Like most of you, our elder team has been praying and discussing how we should respond regarding the spread of the COVID-19 virus and yet minister to each one of you. We know that there is concern, some of you might have loved ones who are affected, and each of you have had your lives adjusted to some degree because of this virus.

We rejoice knowing that none of this has caught our Lord by surprise. We also do not mention the Lord’s sovereignty flippantly, knowing that He has given us the sober calling of exercising oversight while caring for your souls.

Governor Newsom issued a stay at home executive order, which cancels all non-essential gatherings. This order is necessary in order to help prevent the spread of a virus which can have severe effects on the elderly and on those in ill health. With this order in mind, as well as wanting to protect our church body from this illness, we have made the following decisions:

1. PBC will not gather for a Sunday morning worship service until further notice. Instead, we will have a live-streamed church service that will begin at 10:30 am via Facebook.  You do not need a Facebook account to view this live stream.  Though the form may be unique, our service will continue to feature worship of our Lord through song, pastoral prayer, and expository preaching. You may continue to worship through giving HERE, or you can mail your check to the church office.
2. All other formal ministry gatherings (i.e. Small groups, Seniors’ study, Ladies’ Bible studies, youth group, college Bible study, and the Passover Seder) are either canceled or postponed until more information on the spread of the virus and quarantine requirements becomes available.
3. We are reaching out to our missionaries to make sure we are up-to-date on their needs.

Please let any of us elders know directly, or indirectly through your small group leaders or ministry leaders, when there are both spiritual and physical needs. If you know of someone in our congregation or become aware of someone who develops a need, whether related to the virus or not, please make sure that we are aware so that we can all love, serve, and care for one another.

If you have not seen it, here is the link to the CDC’s summary of the COVID-19 virus.

Pray for us as an elder team. Pray that God will give us the wisdom that He promises to give generously to all without reproach (James 1:5) as we navigate decisions in the coming weeks, that the Word of God will continue to faithfully go out from our pulpit even during this unique time, and pray for our church as a whole that we will be faithful to respond in obedience.

May God be glorified at PBC.

Patrick Hamblin
On behalf of the PBC elder team