A letter from Pastor Philip
March 18, 2020
Dear ones at Olive,
The leadership at Olive has taken careful consideration of ways we can continue to build bridges to God, to each other, and to the community. We believe some of those ways are to honor the requests and examples of our community leaders to limit social gatherings for a period of time (and of course common sense strategies such as washing your hands frequently). For this reason we are taking the following steps:
1) We will build bridges to God by trusting Him. He’s bigger than anything the enemy can throw in our path! Review Psalm 91 and pray that as a prayer over your family, your business, your city, and this nation. Be grateful. Have you commented lately about how busy you are? You’ve just been given some extra time to spend with your family.
2) We will build bridges to each other by respecting each other’s health through prevention.
This is a time for the church to rise up and offer light and hope. I look forward to hearing from you about the ways Olive will be called to promote the bridge-building business. It is an honor to serve you.
Blessings,
Philip Leichty
Interim Pastor
Dear ones at Olive,
The leadership at Olive has taken careful consideration of ways we can continue to build bridges to God, to each other, and to the community. We believe some of those ways are to honor the requests and examples of our community leaders to limit social gatherings for a period of time (and of course common sense strategies such as washing your hands frequently). For this reason we are taking the following steps:
1) We will build bridges to God by trusting Him. He’s bigger than anything the enemy can throw in our path! Review Psalm 91 and pray that as a prayer over your family, your business, your city, and this nation. Be grateful. Have you commented lately about how busy you are? You’ve just been given some extra time to spend with your family.
2) We will build bridges to each other by respecting each other’s health through prevention.
- Olive’s Oversight Board is trying to follow local and state recommendations for gathering in groups. We will let you know as soon as we can meet again at Olive Church. In the meantime my goal is to make messages available to as many as we can, especially when we cannot physically worship together.
- Remember: We don’t go to church. We are the church.
- Pray for wisdom for your local, state, national leaders and church leaders. Pray for the protection of all health care workers. Pray for those who are ill. Pray for an end to this coronavirus.
- Follow recommended guidelines to limit face-to-face meetings with others as much as possible.
- Ask God to give you creative ways to interact with your friends and neighbors. Help others in need. It may be an offer to pick up groceries or other essentials for someone who is more vulnerable than you, such as those 70+ years old. Check in or call fellow Olive congregants and neighbors. Be generous with your time, energy, and money during this time when you sense Holy Spirit’s leading to give in any of these ways.
- Be gentle with those who are stressed or fearful. Offer a word of hope but don’t make them feel guilty for the feelings they’re experiencing. You don’t always know the underlying reasons for their fear or discouragement.
This is a time for the church to rise up and offer light and hope. I look forward to hearing from you about the ways Olive will be called to promote the bridge-building business. It is an honor to serve you.
Blessings,
Philip Leichty
Interim Pastor
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