Hey Central Family!  

How timely has this Courageous Faith series been?! Such a comforting reminder that God is in control and He guides His Church for our good and His honor. I’m fired up for the word God has for us this Sunday as we look at Joshua 9-10. I encourage you to read it and be ready to ask God for BIG things!  

Where are we now?
Never before, in our lifetimes, have we faced a public health crisis like the impact of COVID-19. While there may have been moments where localized outbreaks caused extreme preventative measures, nothing has scaled to the point where global travel is canceled, entire cities are quarantined, and large public gatherings are held without the public present. Each day requires us to monitor and react, if need be, on an hourly basis. These are serious times and the consequences of our actions could mean the difference between life and death. Therefore, as a faith community, what are our obligations and what should be our response? 
 
We continue to closely monitor the Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s recommendations for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We know this is a critical moment and we are committed to continuing to monitor their recommendations intended to slow the spread of this virus in our community, reduce the number of people infected, and protect those who are most vulnerable to severe illness. Central will continue to make decisions utilizing all currently available information, and at no time will we knowingly put the health, safety, and well-being of our congregation, families, and staff at risk.
 
Central Christian Church is obligated to operate by and for those who have committed to making Central Christian Church their place of public worship and personal community. As we gather, we do so with respect to the laws established in our Nation, State, County and City. In other words, we endeavor to honor the Laws of Christ and the Law of the Land. As Romans 13:1 instructs us, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”
 
On Monday, March 9th, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, released a statement banning public mass gatherings over 1,000 people. Immediately, CCC leadership began to consider how we would proceed with public gatherings and manage internal operations in light of this announcement. 
 
On Wednesday, the White House Task Force on COVID-19 recommended a 30-day strategy for Santa Clara County stating, “Community and faith-based organizations should move gatherings of any size to video-accessible venues or postpone…”
 
Additionally, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus as an official world pandemic. Additionally, I was in a meeting yesterday with Dave Cortese of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. We are striving to work alongside our public officials and maintain open and timely communication as events unfold.
 
What does this mean for Sunday gatherings?
 
1.  After much prayer and counsel, for a time, the elders have decided it's best that we are changing the way we do church. This is in an effort to honor the request of local and national authorities as well as to protect those susceptible within our church family and community at large.

• We are going to provide a worship service online this Sunday at 9 AM. Click here for our YouTube channel and subscribe. By subscribing to our channel you’ll automatically receive a notification when service is LIVE. As always, you can click here to watch previous messages.

 
2. Church Online: We highly encourage you to participate in all aspects of our service. Where there’s worship, sing along. Where there’s teaching, take notes and discuss. When there’s an opportunity to give, please give online! And when it’s appropriate, invite others to join you! 
 
3. Keep up to date on what’s happening via social media. Here are links to our Facebook & Instagram. We’ll also have updates coming via centralsj.org
 
Finally, we are postponing all gatherings that will take place on our campus, this includes; groups & youth ministry activities.  Gatherings will be postponed until further notice or specifically approved acceptances in our attempt to participate in a community-wide effort to contain the spread of the virus.
 
Why is this so Important?
 
For the past 80 years, at Central Christian Church, we’ve have taken courageous steps of faith to love God and love people. We do this, as a faith community, by providing opportunities for people to love God in a safe and welcoming environment, which during times like these, allows us to cast our cares on Him, learn from Him and find rest in Him. But, not only are we called to love God, but we are also called to love our neighbors. What better expression of such love when we partner with all of our neighbors in the collective effort to contain this virus. Let’s work together with those informed with scientific and medical truths and trust those given authority over our public safety rather than being dismissive and turn to social media or getting caught up in scarcity hysteria. We should not be people who hoard resources out of fear, but rather we’re called to offer them up to our neighbors as an expression of hope! Central Christian Church is a generous church; your willingness to step up in times of need and seasons of crisis like this is unprecedented. We’ve seen you do it time and time again and we have no doubt you’ll look after one another at this time as well. 
 
Please remember, as we are reminded by the Apostle Paul in his instructions to a young pastor facing doubt surrounding his circumstances, that “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 
 
Together, as God’s body, we love one another, we have the strength and ability to overcome adversity. Together, as Christ’s ambassadors, who love our neighbor, we have the resources to offer “good news” and a reason for the hope we have. And together, as God’s kids, we can face an unknown future with holy boldness because of our known God. He’s in control! He’s with us! Therefore, together at CCC, we live out the command found in Joshua 1:9, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”