Church Family,

What a few days it's been. In consideration of the public health concerns related to COVID-19, and in solidarity with other churches, the recommendation of our Governor, and other containment efforts made over the past days, the pastors and deacons have decided to postpone our gatherings for the next two weeks.

First, we will give you the brief plan and then, second, explain the rationale. 

The Plan

• We will be moving to "live-stream only" Sunday gatherings on March 22 and 29. For the next two weeks, we will "gather" online on our Facebook page or church website instead of physically at HBC. Our music team will lead us in worship and we will have prayer and Scripture readings by our pastors. Mark will also continue the sermon series in Exodus. We hope to resume regular gatherings on April 5, but we will evaluate this as new information becomes available. 
• We will also NOT be gathering this evening at 5pm for our 3rd Sunday Evening Worship as originally planned. 
• We will also be looking into a way for Pastor Keith to stream his Gospel Project class on our Facebook page on Sunday mornings before worship. More information to come. 
• Additionally, we will be suspending ALL mid-week gatherings - including the meal and prayer meeting - until April 8. This follows our previously planned suspension of Heritage Kids, nursery, youth Bible studies and Sunday School classes. 
• The HBC building will not be available for group access until April 6. This includes group use of the gym. 

The Rationale

So, just a quick rationale for what we are doing and not doing:

1. We’re not closing our doors. We’re moving corporate worship online in solidarity with other containment efforts.
2. We are not retreating from our community. We are intentionally engaging with you and others in strategic ways during this unique and temporary season.
3. We are not acting out of fear. We are acting out of responsibility and love for our neighbors, especially the oldest and most vulnerable in our community. 

It is right, true and good to risk our well-bring to worship the Lord, but this situation is less about our well-being and more about the well-being of our neighbors. In our previous updates, we were doing everything in our power to protect the health of our church membership, but we are now seeking to give due consideration also to those outside our community. 

Will we one day look back on this and similar decisions and think it was all an overreaction? Honestly, we hope so. But, the coronavirus is an evolving situation.  We’re in uncharted territory here, which means we are having to make difficult decisions in a short amount of time with limited information. But, we are trying to make the most God-glorifyiing, Christ-exalting, prayer-soaked, faith-filled, neighbor-loving decision we can. We recognize that some will disagree - and we absolutely respect that. Our consciences are guided differently, but we are committed to walking in love and unity through these bizarre days. 

We want to keep in close contact as a church. We will utilize email. Stay in touch with each other and serve each other in practical ways. We will keep you posted and updated. 

Psalm 91:9-11

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.