{"id":60877,"date":"2020-03-19T06:30:28","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T14:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=60877"},"modified":"2020-04-22T09:20:02","modified_gmt":"2020-04-22T17:20:02","slug":"ccog-services-announcement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/cog-news\/ccog-services-announcement\/","title":{"rendered":"CCOG church services announcement"},"content":{"rendered":"

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COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

In its Letter to the Brethren: March 19, 2020<\/a> the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> announced the following related to COVID-19 and church services:<\/p>\n

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COVID-19<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Because of fear of spreading COVID-19, the Five Cities school district cancelled all classes effective this past Monday. There are school closures throughout the USA, Africa (including Kenya), and Europe (including Serbia). Many countries have also declared a \u2018state of emergency.\u2019<\/p>\n

Yesterday, officials declared a shelter-in-place requirement for San Luis Obispo County (where I am writing this from) and stated that \u2018non-essential\u2019 businesses are to be shut down today. This was also done in many other counties in California a few days ago. The economic, including debt, ramifications of these moves and other actions related to COVID-19 may be staggering.<\/p>\n

In our area as well as other parts of California and the USA, shelves in some grocery stores have been pretty bare as my wife and I found out when we tried (and failed because there was none) to buy bread on Sunday:<\/p>\n

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Trader Joes, Arroyo Grande CA
\n(Joyce Thiel photos 03\/15\/20)<\/em><\/p>\n

Anyway, since we could not buy bread, Joyce made some as we had flour at our house.<\/p>\n

Real and imagined fears related to COVID-19 are damaging the world economy, and in the case of the USA and Europe, at least, increasing government debt. Increased USA debt will be a factor in its destruction per Habakkuk 2:6-8. COVID-19 may well be a factor that will help lead to the ultimate reorganizing of Europe and the rise of the Beast as foretold in Revelation 17:12-13.<\/p>\n

Several counties in California have essentially put people on quarantine, and now everyone in France is supposed to do some type of filled out form in order to travel outside of their homes (see AP: Government issues historic restrictions amid virus outbreak; Form now needed to leave your house in France<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The restrictions on movement and the discouragement of physical cash because of COVID-19 are paving the way for the acceptance of the 666 Beast and total government financial control. Now, however, as Jesus said, \u201cdo not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet\u201d (Mark 13:7). Jesus also said:<\/p>\n

33 \u2026 In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33b)<\/p>\n

32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father\u2019s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While you should take reasonable precautions, you do not need to fear.<\/p>\n

Perhaps I should mention that our elder in Serbia, Aleksandar \u2018Sasha\u2019 Veljic told me that a bank basically told him that because of COVID-19 he should use digital forms of payment instead of cash. He related that to the warnings we gave in our video COVID-19 Leading to 666?<\/a><\/p>\n

As far as physical things associated with COVID-19 go, the following link has information on that as well as other links some may find helpful: CDC: COVID-19 spreading; How to tell if you have the coronavirus, cold, or allergies; Symptoms and preparation recommendations<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Now, with all the quarantines and travel restrictions being imposed, what about attendance at weekly Sabbath services?<\/p>\n

Our policy has always been, and still remains, if you have a contagious disease, you should not attend church services.<\/p>\n

In this time of COVID-19, if you think you may have a fever, you should not attend services. If you are not feeling well, please stay home.<\/p>\n

As far as \u2018social distancing\u2019 goes, church leaders in their respective countries and local groups need to decide the relative safety of holding Sabbath services (though in some places landlords and\/or government officials may be placing their own limits–the early Christian church met in houses and that is one thing that can be done when meeting halls are not around and\/or there are governmental restrictions) as not only are they closer to their situation, they can react to local conditions in a timely way.<\/p>\n

If any person is not comfortable being in a group at this time, they may wish to stay home. And, of course, we do have services available online which is what most native English speakers we have are doing already.<\/p>\n

Tuesday, the BBC<\/em> reported that German, \u201cChancellor Angela Merkel has banned religious services and told people to cancel any domestic or foreign holiday travel\u201d (https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-europe-51918596 03\/17\/20).<\/p>\n

While we cooperate with government authorities when we can, we do not believe that government authorities should interfere with the ability to hold holy convocations or other biblical observances.<\/p>\n

As the Apostles said, \u201cWe must obey God rather than men\u201d (Acts 5:29).<\/p>\n

Hence, yes, we believe that true Christians should, for example, keep Passover next month. Though in some areas, it may be wise to have only very small groups meeting together.<\/p>\n

Spring Holy Days<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a few weeks, the Spring Holy Days will begin.<\/p>\n

Passover<\/a>, which is for baptized members only, should be observed shortly after sunset on the Roman calendar date of April 7th. The Night to Be Observed<\/a> begins at sunset on the Roman calendar date of April 8th and starts the Days of Unleavened Bread?<\/a> which lasts until sunset April 15, 2020. …<\/p>\n

Answered Prayer, Update, and Prayer Request<\/strong><\/p>\n

This morning, Evangelist Evans Ochieng sent the following report:<\/p>\n

Pastor Dr Bob ,<\/p>\n

Greetings from Kenya.<\/div>\n
Since I was having my daughter and my son Emanuel in the hospital, I couldn\u2019t manage to travel.\u00a0 Through the prayers of brethren from all coners and you, they are now doing well and are out from the hospital. Marie and Emanuel are doing better now.\u00a0 Thank you very much for your prayers.<\/div>\n
I got chance yesterday to visit Kisii elderly and women in rift valley.\u00a0 I gave Kisii them fund to start the project. They promised me that they are going to do better. After that I went to meet Pastor Sawek and some women.\u00a0 I met him in Kilgoris with the women representatives Mary. I gave them the promised fund.\u00a0 So I remain with the funds of Nyakach which I\u2019m going to give them tomorrow. They thanked Terry Nelson so much for the help. I give thanks to the church for wonderful work we have done in Kenya.<\/div>\n
Another thing we still need more prayers to the daughter of Fredrick Omondi my elder son. His daughter happiness is sick and needs prayer.<\/div>\n
Kenya also needs prayer.\u00a0 The corona virus has invaded Kenya.\u00a0 This is a serious matter that needs more prayers.<\/div>\n
Evans<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It is great to hear that our prayers were answered regarding his two hospitalized children. Also, Pastor Sawek sent me a couple of emails today thanking us for the financial support that we had promised. Please remember to pray for Evangelist Ochieng\u2019s granddaughter as well as the COVID-19 situation in Kenya. Plus, the locust situation which he did not mention in the above email. …<\/p>\n

Suggested Sabbath Service<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week:<\/p>\n