COVID UPDATE

Good afternoon North Roanoke,
 
As you may know, I went with our students to Student Life Camp last week (which was amazing!), and I developed flu-like symptoms very late on Monday (which was not so amazing). As it turns out, some of our students have had similar symptoms. A few have tested positive for COVID. We need to pray for a full and speedy recovery for everyone. Based on what I have heard, their symptoms are mostly mild, and they are already feeling much better. Let’s pray this continues!
 
Because we had many students just back from camp worshiping with us this past Sunday, and because several of them serve in various volunteer roles (as well as their parents who serve as teachers/etc.), and because it can take up to 14 days for an exposure to turn into a symptomatic case of COVID, we are erring on the side of caution and will *not* gather together this Sunday (August 1).
 
I do plan to share a message on our YouTube channel at 10:30AM this Sunday.

We will resume 3D groups and worship on Sunday, August 8. Our students will resume their meeting schedule on Sunday evening, August 8. This means they will not meet this Sunday evening (8/1) or next Wednesday evening (8/4).
 
This also means our business meeting will not be held Sunday. It has been rescheduled for Sunday, August 15. Also, the outdoor worship service planned for (8/7) is cancelled. We will plan for one later in the year.
 
The church building will have a deep clean performed early next week.
 
As my family and I quarantine, I am praying for our entire church family, that any existing cases would be mild, and any exposures that may have occurred will not become additional cases.

In times such as these, a natural response is to ask, “What can I do?” Many of you have kindly reached out to me and Stacie offering your assistance. While I’m feeling pretty weak and tired, I am, thus far, by God’s grace, doing okay.
 
While we (the Palmers) are doing alright, there are four specific ways I want to ask you to respond in this moment for the overall health (physical and spiritual) of our church family and our overall growth in Christ.

1. Remember the Lord is in control. None of this has caught our King by surprise, and nothing can diminish His power to use it for our good.
2. Gather around your TV as a family this Sunday as I share a word from God’s Word and from my heart at our YouTube channel.
3. Pray for a full recovery for everyone impacted. If you learn of an opportunity to help out your brothers or sisters during this time, please do! As a reminder, you may share prayer requests through the app or online here.
4. Give. The first Sunday in August is usually a “catch-up Sunday” after giving declines in July. Everyone returns, and God’s people give. Please remember  this week will pass, but the work of the gospel remains, and our faithfulness now will be honored in the weeks and months to come. I would be overjoyed to see our church family rise up strong and together this week trusting Jesus for a great fall of ministry together. So, while we are apart, let's stay on track for the glory of King Jesus. 

 
Thank you for reading through this notice. If you have any questions, please email me at daniel@nrbc.org. I look forward to “seeing” you Sunday over the stream.
 
In Christ’s love,
Daniel

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