Cross Culture Church Family Response to COVID-19 Outbreak and State Developments

Public Health Orders by both City and State limit the nature of our gatherings to less than 10 people in an enclosed space if it is essential business. Personal and social gathering is discouraged or prohibited.

What is exempted are essential gathering for media services to our constituents and the public as long as it complies with public health safety rules. Therefore, any official service like recording, streaming and coordinating that facilitates online for our Care group and church service through media must be continued.

Example:

A small group leader and worship leader can facilitate an online media activity on a given day while the rest of the members can participate online. A software called Zoom will be used by subscription and the church will have it available soon.

This outbreak is a global crisis that affected more than 130 countries in public health and in their economies. We still don’t know when this crisis will subside, but we know throughout history that it will peak then follow a downward curve.

Together, we can do something positive and affect change by adopting to public health policies.

 

STOP THE SPREAD

This wildfire of contamination can be contained in the absence of possible hosts (groups of people, unclean surfaces, etc.) and when all carriers recover.

The bible says in Proverbs 26:20 (NIV)

[20] Without wood a fire goes out;

 

COMPLY WITH QUARANTINE ADVISORY

We protect ourselves and others when we practice a biblical principle of isolation if suspected contamination. This principle is found in Numbers and Leviticus. Nowadays symptoms do not show until it’s too late. Stay healthy the best you can by boosting your immune system or abhor possible exposure.

As a church, we can harness the convenience of social media connection without physical contact like Zoom used in schools for academic interaction. Your Small group leader will have it available soon.

CONFINE YOURSELF IN THE PROMISES OF GOD

God’s words comfort and assures us in times of pestilence like Psalm 91 the whole chapter.

Psalms 91:1-3 (NIV)

[1] He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

[2] I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

[3] Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

 

COMFORT THOSE IN DISTRESS

There’s no better time as this that we could spread assurance from God’s words because people are open to the Gospel during crisis. We are not only in a season of adversity but opportunity as well.

For those that are able, run errands and shop for those that cannot, while practicing health precautions.

Continue to build and foster community among your groups through video chat, text messages, and other means of communication.

Spend quality time with those in your household.

CLARIFY INFORMATION YOU GET

There are many media circulations that scare rather than prepare. There are those who take advantage of the situation either to sell something or push their personal, political and doctrinal agendas. Listen to seasoned and sound spiritual teachers that you already know and endorsed by the church.

California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered state residents to remain in place at their homes EXCEPT for essential activities, essential business and essential government functions.  

The exceptions include:

  • Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor.
  • Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, such as getting food and supplies, pet food and supplies necessary for staying at home.
  • Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking or running provided that they maintain at least six feet of social distancing.
  • Caring for a family member in another household.
  • Caring for elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons.

The shelter-in-place order also DOES NOT apply to those going to work in an essential business or essential government function.

The exclusions include:

  • Health care operations/health workers.
  • Essential Infrastructure, construction, public transportation, and utilities.
  • Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, convenience stores.
  • Businesses that provide necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals and shelter facilities.
  • Pharmacies, health care supply stores, and health care facilities.
  • Gas stations, auto repair facilities.
  • Banks.
  • Garbage collection.
  • Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences and other essential businesses.
  • Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning.
  • Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers.
  • Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food and goods directly to residences.
  • Childcare facilities providing services that enable essential employees to go to work.
  • Roles required for any essential business to “maintain basic operations,” which include security, payroll and similar activities.

 

We are in compliance to work on facilitating distance learning through online streaming as long as we don’t require assembly and adhere to minimum personnel requirements and safety.  To facilitate a streaming or distance learning is essential to us as part of our public service.

Therefore, facilitating official small groups and church services online with minimal manpower is allowed as long as it is sanctioned by the church and state.

This is the time to be vigilant in prayer and continue to share God’s words.

“…The word of God is not bound” … 2 Timothy 2:9 NIV

 

To view our service for this Sunday online at 10:30 am.