Cancellation Notice | COVID-19

Dear CLBC:

I am writing to inform you of our decision to follow recommendations and to refrain from gathering as an assembly this Sunday, as well as to cancel the events during the week. It is our desire to honor the governing authorities and medical experts who have repeatedly advised against gathering when possible.

The Department of Health has specifically recommended against gatherings of 50 or more people, as well as smaller events that are held in buildings or rooms that do not accommodate the social distancing of 6 feet per person. In addition to these recommendations, by gubernatorial executive action, many local businesses and schools have been instructed to temporarily close.

In light of these directives, it seems best for us to refrain from gathering for a time. We will continue to assess on a week-to-week basis and will work hard to ensure that we have communicated in a timely manner with each member.

We desire to obey the command to gather together as an assembly whenever possible (Hebrews 10:24–25). We do not believe that refraining from gathering for a period of time under the current circumstances violates this command. In the same way that every Christian occasionally refrains from gathering with the assembly because of illness and the desire not to spread the illness, we now are being called on to refrain corporately from gathering to avoid spreading illness.

Furthermore, we do not believe that these directives are an attack on the Church from governing authorities. If the governing authorities were suggesting that only churches cease gathering, we would look at the situation differently. However, it is clear that the directives are all-encompassing and are not an encroachment on religious liberty in any way. As such, it is neither unfaithful for a local assembly to follow the directives, nor are the directives unnecessarily burdensome or discriminatory. Instead, temporarily ceasing our gathering is an act of love to one another and to our community at large.

In God’s providence, we are being positioned to feel the absence of the gathered body, the singing of the saints, and the preaching of the Word. While some churches have determined to provide services online, we have decided that it is best to receive this break in our gathering as a divine act, intended to grow us in worship with our families and in longing for the gathering of the church once again. As such, we encourage each family unit to spend time in prayer and meditation on the Word this coming Sunday. Let us use this time to pray for those who are affected in their jobs or their health, to reflect on our individual lives and the life of our church, to practice the spiritual disciplines, and to serve others wherever possible.

Additionally, please be aware of the following:

  • The baptisms and membership testimonies are delayed until further notice.
  • We encourage you to care for one another and to communicate with one another via technology and in person as it seems wise and appropriate. However, it is likely that the events on the church calendar will be shifted as there is more clarity in the days ahead.
  • If you desire to make a financial donation to the church during this time, you can do so through the church website: https://www.resurrectionmn.org/giving
  • The next few weeks will likely prove financially straining for those whose jobs are affected. If you are in need of financial assistance, please reach out to the elders.

Please know that Josh and I will be praying for you during this time that we are apart. If there are ways that we can care for you, please get in touch with us.

Blessings,

Aaron Downs  

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