Compassion, Accommodation, & Concern - Corona Virus 19 (COVID-19)

March 17, 2020 UPDATED

Greetings All in the Name of Christ, our Savior and Sustainer.

The mission of the UMC is to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As members, we live by the vow to "fully participate in the ministries of the church through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness." But times like these, in light of the Corona Virus 19, present us all with challenges as members to keep those vows in creative and effective ways. We do the best we can as individuals and as the church.

We are taking the following steps and will be adding other actions in the near future:

·         ALL WORSHIP SERVICES are CANCELLED through May 9th. I WILL be present at the church 9:30a-11:00a should anyone have a need for me as pastor or for the church.

·         STEEPLE KIDS Pre-school and Daycare are closed until the lock-down is lifted.

·         The office will be in operation, but the church is not open. Please CALL the church if you need something. DO NOT COME TO CHURCH unless you are an employee or a committee/org leader on necessary business.

·         All 11:00a Casual Services are cancelled indefinitely. We are restructuring and will inform folks of what we do going forward.

·         Unless we hear otherwise from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we hope to resume services Sunday, May 10. There will be ONLY ONE SERVICE for all Sundays starting May 10th and going forward.

·         Bowling (March 21) and the Pancake Breakfast (Palm Sunday, April 5) are cancelled, but may be rescheduled for later, perhaps late spring or sometime in the summer.

·         The memorial services for George Jenca (Mar. 22, 4p) and for Carol Habel have been postponed. We will announce the new dates (in May) once we are past Easter.

·         Langhorne UMC will be live-streaming the 9:30 Sunday service and special holiday services going forward beyond the Corona Virus challenge. It is something we have been discussing for over a year.

·         Offering - A reminder for those who choose not to attend church at this time, your monetary gifts can continue through our website giving via credit cards; OR, you can mail you checks to the church. Please be sure that you INCLUDE your offering envelope or your giving number (on the envelope and on your box) so that your offering is properly recorded for tax purposes.

We ask that you ALL check in with those who are homebound and in residential facilities/homes by telephone who will surely be cut off by these social distancing recommendations by the state and the CDC. Older folks and those with low disease resistance may need assistance with shopping for food, supplies and medications. Parents with children out of school may need assistance as well.

Remember each other, the community, and the church in your prayers. We have a great opportunity and call by God to be creative with how we live out our vows and to show the world that we are Christians by our love at a “time such as this!” (Esther 4:14)

In Christ’s Peace and God’s Grace,

Rev. Laurie Pfahler, Pastor

Langhorne United Methodist Church

 If you're looking for a church, we believe it may be here at Langhorne United Methodist Church. Not only are our doors open wide, but our arms of fellowship and care await to embrace you. Our bottom line is that all who would enter through the doors of this church would bless and be blessed as they draw closer to God.

We feel a great excitement at the movement of the Holy Spirit among us. I invite you to join us. We'll make room for you in the pew and in our hearts!