Dear Spring Valley Church Family,
As you are aware on Sunday, March 22 Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued a ‘Shelter in Place’ Order effective midnight Monday, March 23.
In accordance with this Order and in support of the health and well being of our congregation, community and staff we will be complying with this mandate.
Therefore, starting Tuesday, March 24 the church offices and the church will closed. Additionally, door pass codes will be temporarily disabled so that building alarms will not be a consideration.
Even as we say this, it does not mean our ministries have stopped.
1. Every Sunday we will be videoing a full worship service. These are available on svumc.org, the “Hear and See” tab, the “Sermons” dropdown. We hope this will bring you the blessing of weekly worship.
2. Monday through Saturday (excepting Fridays) you will receive a Constant Contact from the “Pastor’s Workshop”. This daily devotional allows you to work alongside Pastor Paul as he prepares the Sunday message.
3. You will continue to receive the weekly newsletter, “The Behold”, on Fridays.
4. On Sundays the Lenten devotional, “Claim the Cross”, will be e-mailed to you by Constant Contact and will also be available on the website in the blog section.
5. Sunday School lessons for the children will continue to be sent home weekly.
6. Preschool lessons for the preschool children will be sent home weekly.
7. If you have a Pastoral Emergency please contact Pastor Paul directly.
Through these means we hope you stay digitally connected and spiritually nurtured during these troubling days.
As the staff seeks to do its part in the ministry, we all know that you, the laity, are critical to the health and well being of our church. Because of this essential truth I make these requests:
1. Please keep in contact with one another. If you are part of a class or a ministry group make sure you call, text or in some way communicate with other members of your class or group on a regular (weekly) basis during this season.
2. Enjoy the ITAC (It Takes a Congregation) that comes out in our weekly “Behold”. I’m grateful to our Lay Leader, Myrna Ridings for her contributions that encourage all our laity in ministry.
3. Participate in weekly worship through our videos and in devotional time through the blogs on our website. Keep yourself spiritually nourished.
4. Keep Spring Valley in your prayers. We require your ongoing spiritual support to stay strong in our ministry.
5. As you are able please support Spring Valley with your financial gifts. We know these are difficult times for all financially, yet at the same time we seek to keep our staff and operations as strong as possible during these days. You can make your gifts by mailing a check to the office or by donating online on our website.
Even as we take these steps at Spring Valley we realize that the crisis and the needs are widespread. We encourage you to be in prayer for all persons, families, communities and countries who are afflicted by the Coronavirus. We ask you be in particular prayer for all medical personnel. They are on the front lines in courageous ministry. Additionally we request you pray for all community and world leaders. They are making difficult decisions balancing many interests and seeking to insure the safety and well being of all. Ask God to guide them with wisdom.
As we move through these days we need to “Be Still and know the Lord is God”. We need to remember we are not alone, God is with us always. This is Jesus’ promise. We need to know that God is faithful and that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. God will give us strength and courage and will lead and guide us through. In that faith I move into the time ahead with you at Spring Valley.
In Christ,
Paul