COVID-19 Update
Hello everyone,
We wanted to bring you some updates in regards to the recent coronavirus situation.
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) and President Trump have asked us to limit our gatherings to 10 people or less. After praying collectively as a staff we have made the decision to not have church services for the next two weeks. We are encouraging everyone to meet in their Victorious Life Groups as we make this modification for the upcoming weeks.
Please continue to ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and direction about attending church events, especially if you are at high risk for contracting COVID-19. According to the CDC, individuals who are at high risk are over 60 years old, and/or have chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or lung disease. If you are at risk or feel as though you may be, we encourage you to use wisdom and stay home. If you decide to stay home, we love you and bless you.
Our staff team is always here to support you, but especially during this time. Please let us know if you have any prayer requests or needs.
Sunday Morning Plan:
Gather in life groups at 10:30am.
If you cannot meet in a life group, we will start a live stream of the message at 10:30am. Parker will be speaking on the “Test of Crushing.”
After the message concludes, there will be worship and ministry held at each house.
Regular Weekly Plans:
Victorious Life Groups will continue to meet as normal.
Prophetic Intercession is still meeting this Tuesday at 7pm
A Time to Advance the Kingdom
To be honest, I have been struggling with the idea of modifying church. I was feeling as though we were giving in to the enemy in some way. But in prayer, I was given a word picture of an approaching tsunami. I feel like God was showing me that the best course of action is for our community to come together and work hand in hand to get everyone to safety so that no one is left behind.
A similar attack occurred in the Book of Acts when the first church was persecuted in Jerusalem and believers were being arrested and killed.
Acts 8:1, 4 At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria...Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
The storm of COVID-19 is coming and this attack of the enemy is causing the Church to scatter. Just like in the days of the Apostles, the demonically influenced persecution appeared to be unstoppable and winning the battle.
However, the Holy Spirit could not be stopped because of His presence in each believer. The scattering of the saints actually served to advance the Kingdom of God exponentially because the scattered believers preached the Word everywhere they went!
It is time to share the Word everywhere we go! It is time to reach our lost family members whom some of us have forgotten about. It is time to share Jesus with those we love. It is time to serve our neighbors like Jesus would. It is time to pray for the sick like Jesus--”heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.”
We will continue to post updates on the Oxford Vineyard Facebook page, OV GroupMe, and OV email list. If you would like to be added to the OV email and OV Group Chat, please send your cell number or email to oxford.vineyard@gmail.com. We will be working hard to keep you informed on upcoming outreaches and events.
John & Kim Richter & OV Staff
Lynne Jones | Executive Pastor
Oxford Vineyard Church
lynnemjones7@gmail.com