UPDATE: CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Amidst concerns surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to let you know how Cherry Avenue Christian Church is responding.

Our leadership team is carefully and continually monitoring this situation as we follow the direction of experts in science and churches in how to deal with the situation. As information evolves, this page is the primary, most up-to-date place for you to receive answers to commonly asked questions. 

We are committed to doing everything we can to provide a safe environment for our church family and surrounding community.
 
 
FoUp
 
Update 5-19
 
Our scheduled re-open date for Sunday services is June 7. We will have one worship service at 10:00am, and safety/social distancing guidelines will be observed:
 
Entrances will be limited to the downstairs glass doors, the handicap entrance, and the breezeway glass doors upstairs that lead into the auditorium.
 
Seating capacity will be reduced, and we will observe six feet of social distancing between seats (exception for members of same household).
 
We will not have Bible School, children’s classes, or nursery for
the time being. We will update when those will be available.
 
Masks are strongly recommended. If you do not have one of
your own, we will have a few available.
 
For those who do not yet feel safe meeting together, we will
still post our service online at 11:00am.
 
Celebrate Recovery will resume Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00pm,
following the social distancing guidelines. The only entrance we
will be using on Tuesdays is the parking lot side door where the
Celebrate Recovery banner is. We will not have dinner for the
time being.
 
 
 
 
Update 5-3
 
We will have a “Drive-In” service Mother’s Day, May 10 at 11:00 in the parking lot. For those who are not able to come or don’t feel save coming, we will post our online service at 11:00.
 
 
 
Update 4-9
 
We will be having a “Drive-in” Easter service at 11:00a.m. April 12 in the CACC parking lot. We will hear the Easter message from our cars and celebrate communion “together.” Join us as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ on this special day. For those who are unable to come or don’t feel safe coming, we will post our online service at 11:00.  
 
 
Update 3-31
 
In accordance with the Governor’s Stay-At-Home order, we will continue to meet online for the coming weeks. Watch for our Wednesday Encouragement videos for updates and devotionals. We also have classes meeting online. For information on how to join them, e-mail Stan Martin at stancacc@mac.com.
 
Messages will be available on video on our website Sunday morning, as well as our facebook page, and our YouTube and Vimeo channels. We encourage you to watch them and to encourage your friends to watch them. Also, we are having a churchwide time of prayer Sunday morning from 9:30-10:00. We are asking everyone to stop where you are at that time and pray for our church, our country, and the world during this crisis. The leadership will meet on March 30 to re-assess and make plans for the following weeks at that time. 
 
 

IS CACC MEETING THIS SUNDAY?

No. All services and meetings scheduled at CACC are moving online through at least March 29. The Leadership will meet on March 30 and assess the situation and make plans for the following weeks. As stated above, messages will be available on video on our website Sunday morning.

Also, we are having a churchwide time of prayer Sunday morning from 9:30-10:00. We are encouraging everyone to stop where you are at that time and pray for our country and the world during this crisis.

 

IS CACC OPEN ON WEEKDAYS?

At this time, the office will be open on weekdays, but the building will be closed to meetings and gatherings until at least March 30.
 
 

HOW CAN I BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?

Coronavirus is a type of virus that causes respiratory illness — an infection of the airways and lungs. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus. It is part of the same family of coronaviruses that includes the common cold. The coronavirus outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, the virus has spread to other countries.

The most common early symptoms appear between 2 and 14 days after infection. Symptoms can be mild to severe. They include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention. Most people recover from the disease without needing special treatment.

Like many other viruses, the coronavirus (COVID-19) seems to spread from person-to-person through a cough, sneeze, or kiss. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the risk in the U.S. is still low. They will update this status regularly on their website at cdc.gov/coronavirus. You can also find more information from the World Health Organization.

 

HOW SHOULD I RESPOND SPIRITUALLY TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is yet one more reminder that we live in a fallen world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death. Ultimately, none of us are immune to any of these things. But that’s why the gospel is such good news. God has not left us alone in this world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death. He has come to us in the person of Jesus. The greatest news in all the world is that Jesus lived a life with no sin, died on a cross to pay the price for our sin, and rose from the grave in victory over sin and death. Now anyone anywhere who turns from their sin and trusts in Jesus will be forgiven of all their sin and restored to relationship with God forever. That means that through Jesus, we never have to fear sickness or death because we know we have eternal life with God.

If you do not know that you have eternal life with God, we urge you to put your faith in Jesus. And if you do know that you have eternal life with God, we urge you to share your faith in Jesus with others. Times like these remind us all of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. So, let’s spread the greatest news that death has been defeated and eternal life is available to all who trust in Jesus.

In addition to trusting in Jesus and sharing about Jesus with others, here’s some other ways you can respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19):

  • Trust in God as the good and sovereign Creator and Sustainer of life upon whom we all depend.

  • Pray for mercy for the sick, strength for doctors, insight for researchers, and wisdom for officials.

  • Look for opportunities to love and care for others, whether they are sick, isolated, marginalized, poor, or oppressed.

  • Even if we are unable to gather at certain times, stay closely connected to the church family. Gather with smaller groups as appropriate, and listen to messages online if that’s the only option.
  • Continue to faithfully give financial offerings by mail so that the ministry of the church thrives all the more in the midst of difficult days.

 

Reflect often on the brevity of life, the urgency of eternity, and the beauty of the gospel.
 
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(The above information is used or adapted from McLean Bible Church)