A Note from Saint Stephen’s Chapel in Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) / March 13, 2020
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chr. 29:11)
We serve a God who is Sovereign over all. He is ‘King of kings, and Lord of lords.’ Yes, He is purposeful and fully aware of our every distress, trouble and uncertainty. Today, we find ourselves living in what some have called a historic and dramatic moment in time. Others would remind us that events these have occurred throughout history. They would cite the ‘Hong Kong Flu’ (1968), the ‘Asian Flu’ (1958), and even the ‘Black Death Plague’ (Mid 1300’s), as examples of historic moments of high human anxiety.
While we should be concerned, we must not let panic and anxiety guide us. Faith not Fear must lead us. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10). Now, more than ever, we must be guided by God’s Word and led by our Great Shepherd Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Therefore, as we reflect Christ, we should not add to the frenzy and somewhat bizarre behavior that we’re seeing by others in our community. As Jesus reminds us, “I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Mt. 6:25-26)
So now let us, take comfort and find peace in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has already conquered the darkness of the world. He has overcome sin and death. Your life is secured and is eternal in the Kingdom of God. Take heart, in knowing that, Christ will ‘Still’ the sea, and has ‘Calm,’ the storm that is the coronavirus.
What you should know:
- Worship: Needed now more than ever, will continue at Saint Stephen’s Chapel (SSC) at our usual time – 10:30am, Located: 5410 Rogers Rd., San Antonio TX 78251.
- If for some reason you are not able to attend in person, you can watch us on ‘Facebook Live:’ @saintstephenschapel
- Communion: will be served as usual. All communion preparers will prepare the elements while using gloves. Our communion bread is cut up into small pieces in advance to limit contact. Also, our wine and juice is served in small individual cups.
- Greeting of Peace: Congregants will be advised to shake hands or not, hug or not, fist bump or not, elbow knock or not. In addition to a verbal greeting of peace, each person is encouraged to greet one another in a way comfortable to both parties. We would also ask that you please not be offended if a fellow member or guest does not want to shake your hand.
- Offering Collection: Will be collected as usual and in the same usual manner.
Also, because it appears that the coronavirus spreads like colds and the flu, the best way to prevent spreading the virus is personal hygiene. The CDC has several recommendations on their website, including staying home when you are sick, washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, and covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue.
We, at (SSC) will continue our surface cleaning and disinfecting protocols to provide a clean and healthy facility for our guests, members, and children. Our facilities are equipped with liquid/foam soap dispensers in each restroom. Our nursery and children’s classrooms have hand sanitizer available.
Please join us in prayer for those impacted by this virus, for those serving the sick, and for God’s protection and provision. Most importantly, let us remember our true source of protection. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)