A story in the Saturday, March 28, 2020, edition of The Sentinel, Lewiston, Pa., includes a report from Doug Sabin, pastor of Kish Valley Grace Brethren Church, Reedsville, Pa. A portion of the story appears below. Click here to read the complete article.
Sanctuaries are empty, but church is thriving
Churches have long been looked to as safe places for people to go in times of distress and pastors are often among those on the front lines of a crisis. COVID-19 has put all the traditional ways of supporting others to the test.
In response to the ongoing shutdowns, many local churches have begun offering virtual services through various online platforms, to connect with their congregations and offer hope to the community. Local pastors from throughout the region share their messages of hope and offer words of encouragement during unprecedented times. …
Pastor Doug Sabin, of Kish Valley Grace Brethren, shared some thoughts from a blogger, Jim Denison that has been a source of encouragement to him. Denison talks about the fact that medical personnel are experiencing PTSD — but not as in post-traumatic stress syndrome but pre-traumatic stress syndrome. Healthcare professionals are watching around the world at what has happened in other countries and are bracing for the blow.
Sabin shared that this is a good illustration of what all of us are experiencing on some level right now, but what health care providers and even essential employees may be experiencing at an even greater intensity. He shared a scripture. Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear I am with you do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and I will help you and I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Sabin encourages putting the emphasis on the “I will” in this scripture that as we are facing what feels like a freight train coming down the tracks at us, God promises even in our future he will help us if we are rightly connected to him.
The one thing we can do is pray for our health care providers and essential employees to have health and safety and a clear mind amidst the panic.
Kish Valley has assembled a response team to help its congregation and then in the coming days to begin to reach out into the local community to help in ways that they are able.
Virtual services are offered through their website (kishvalleygbc.org) or on YouTube (by going directly to YouTube and entering kishvalleygbc).
Click here to read the complete article.