Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church

P. O. Box 961690
Riverdale, Georgia 30296
(770) 997-7117                                         (770) 997-3312

Jeffrey M. Halenza, Pastor

August 5, 2020

Dear Members, Visitors, and Friends of the Congregation,

          We will not be resuming in-person worship services this Sunday, August 9, as planned. Given the daily number of new coronavirus cases and the age of many of our members, the Church Council decided that it is still too risky to gather. The new date for resuming worship is September 13, which is more in line with state and local guidelines. We will, however, have Parking Lot Communion on Sunday, August 16, and Sunday, August 30, at 10:00 AM. We hope these services will help sustain you until we are able to gather again on September 13. We will also, of course, continue to do videos.

          Below is the prayer I will pray during our Conference Call tonight, August 5, at 7:00 PM (check Pastor Flanigan’s email for the phone number or link and the access code). While the prayer is not exactly a traditional prayer, it is a prayer you might be able to pray yourself (at lease portions of it) – that is, if it says what you would want to say or reflects what you feel. Please note that this prayer came to me late last week before the phrase “It is what it is” made the news and so it doesn’t have anyone in particular in mind – it has to do with how the phrase is used by many to say that you just have to accept the way things are and that nothing can be done.

          May God strengthen and sustain us throughout these days and may we model the Gospel in all we do,

Pastor Halenza

JMH/nvn