COVID-19 Letter #2

Dear Christian friends, We live in extraordinary times. Many places of social gathering are now shut to restrict the transmission of COVID-19. This includes all six church buildings in our parish. Currently, our primary school remains open but has around 35% of students absent due to families choosing to self-isolate. This brings incredible challenges to how we operate as a parish, how we continue to receive God's grace through Word and Sacrament, and how we witness to Christ's saving love. It also reminds us that the church is not the building but the people of God. We now have an incredible opportunity to be the church, to be salt and light in this world, as we love our neighbour as ourselves and continue to live with the hope and peace that is found in Christ alone. Your congregational leaders will be making contact with you to check on how you are going and find out if there is anything we can do as a parish to assist you. I encourage you to also check on your neighbours and offer them the assistance of the parish for whatever they may need. For those of you that have internet access, there are several ways you can remain connected to what is happening. Please 'like' and turn on notifications for the Eudunda Robertstown Lutheran Parish Facebook page, regularly check our new website www.erlp.org.au, and ensure Janice Lipschinksi has your email address so we can directly send you any future updates. I intend on posting video sermons each week, along with the readings, prayers, and links to suitable songs for you to utilise at home. There are also resources available for involving children in worship at home. For those of you without internet access, please let your congregational leaders know if you would like printed materials such as sermons and prayers delivered regularly to your house. Please note that this may not remain possible if the Government regulations change. Regardless of the many changes we must navigate in the current situation, God's love for us has not changed. In Lamentations 3:22 we read that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, and his mercies never come to an end. God proved his love for us in sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sake, and then raising him to life again so that we may share in his eternal life. Though we cannot gather to celebrate this good news at Easter time this year, it does remain true and is a great source of hope amid our current troubles. May the knowledge of the victory of Christ over death give you hope and empower you to love and serve your neighbour in these testing times. Yours in Christ, Pastor Joshua Muller Eudunda Robertstown Lutheran Parish