Vol. 8: No. 2
April 3, 2020

Special Report: Ministry Looks a Bit Different These Days

"For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again." 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Who could have imagined where we would be today? Children home from school; parents working from home; public transportation stopped; sporting events, weddings, church services canceled; businesses closed--the list goes on. 

God has brought the world to a standstill. COVID-19 has changed everyone's everyday life. It's scary. It's jarring. It's life-threatening. It's no joke.

It is also an opportunity. We, as believers, have been thrust into a place we've never been before. With that in mind, how do we reach out and help when everyday life is so limiting?

The purpose of this special issue of the Mercy Minute is to invite you to encourage each other through this peculiar time. It's time to get creative. 

COVID-19 Pandemic Response (CPR) Fund

The Committee on Diaconal Ministries recently opened up the COVID-19 Pandemic Response (CPR) Fund. This fund will be used to help churches and individuals especially hard-hit by the COVID-19 virus. We anticipate great needs locally and regionally.  All those who are able ought to be encouraged to contribute generously to their local deacons' fund and to their presbytery diaconal fund.  (Soon, many will be receiving economic stimulus checks, despite having lost no income; could that be shared with those in need?) For those who are able to give above and beyond local and regional needs, we invite to give toward this fund to participate in meeting needs in the OPC or within our sister churches around the world.  

• To give online, please direct them to this "Donate" page on OPC.org.
• To give by check, please go to the CDM website for instructions.
• Questions or concerns, please contact us: diaconalministries@opc.org.

Thinking Outside the Box

What are some innovative ways for the church to stay in touch while ministering to our communities?

• A Creative Way to Reach Out

• Keeping in Touch

Pastor Shane Bennett of Reformation OPC in Grand Rapids, MI reads via Facebook each day. There are two storytimes for kids, one for ages 2-5 and the other for ages 5-12, as well as a devotional for older kids and adults. Check it out! 

Pastor Ralph Rebandt of Oakland Hills Community Church reaches out with "Inspirational Real Life Stories...Trusting in God." You can find these videos on his church's FB page.

• Preaching to an Empty Room

An inventive way for pastors to "picture" their congregants while preaching to an empty room.

List of Streaming

OPC Worship Services

Are you looking for a church service to watch during the COVID-19 shutdown? David Barr, Deacon at Emmanuel OPC, Kent, WA has created a list of OP Churches that are streaming their services online. You can find the list posted in a Google sheet by clicking the button below. Instructions on how to add your church stream can be found on the Google sheet. This is a great time to hear from pastors all over the OPC. There are blessings in this trying time! Thank you, David, for this great resource! 

If you are contemplating creating online services for your church and don't know where to begin, New Life OPC, Williamsport, PA, Deacon Matt Hoppes has created an instructional video to help you. "Video Streaming on a Budget"  is available on YouTube. Check it out! Thanks, Matt, for this great resource!

A Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic From the Front Lines

by Bunny W. Eubank, DNP, MSN, RN

The novel coronavirus 2019 (commonly referred to as COVID-19) has taken healthcare systems and their front-line providers by storm.  Early in February, even though most nurses and system administrators were well aware of the viral outbreak in China, there were very few changes in providing patient care.  Only a few short weeks ago, nurses were being told that they did not need masks unless they were in the presence of a suspected COVID-19 patient.  As of March 26th, most hospitals have gone to full personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for these patients – and wearing a mask while on duty, the entirety of one’s shift – no matter the unit.  This speaks to the contagious nature of the virus and the fact that many patients will present for care before they are suspected of the virus.  The primary symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath.  There are approximately 1200 reported positive cases [here] in North Carolina, up about 326% from last week.
     The statewide stay-at-home order is only a part of how this has affected healthcare workers.  Many hospital departments have closed or are greatly reduced.  For example, only critical surgeries are permitted – and many ordinary outpatient services are no longer operating.  Most hospitals have a no visiting policy to reduce viral spread – and there is a sense of fear and intensity that I have never experienced in over three decades of nursing.  Social media seems to be an outlet for many healthcare personnel to express their anger, frustration with hospital policy, and general angst.  Although emergency and intensive care workers seem to have the greatest opportunities for exposure, lab, radiology, and other hospital-wide services are also being widely exposed.
    Many healthcare workers have realistic concerns about safety for themselves and their families, but they are also dedicated to the care of the sickest.  There has been great comradery in this stressful time, and a great outpouring of love from members of the community.  Meals have been delivered to nursing units, masks have been sewn and donated – large corporations are donating funds and goods.  The church has a unique opportunity to show the love of Christ.  It is a great thing to see communities and professionals bond together in a time of trouble, but Christians know that this trial is in the hands of our heavenly Father.  Believers must continue to pray that our Lord will protect the church, and use this virus for His glory and our good.  Pray that believing care providers will testify to our ultimate trust in Christ.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The author is a member of Redeemer OPC, Charlotte, North Carolina.

How Can the Church Help Healthcare Workers?

We've asked a few healthcare workers how they believe the church can help them in their work on the "front lines" of this pandemic.

Patti Newton, APN, member of New Hope OPC, Bridgeton, NJ says, "Our lives are changing daily. Our routine at work is changing. Some are working endlessly, some are having hours cut, furloughed or losing jobs altogether. [Healthcare workers] are being inundated with people who are scared and anxious, while we ourselves have the same concerns of exposure for ourselves and our families. We don’t know what the future holds. We need specific prayers for strength and for patience to wait for God's lead in what may happen to us next." 

Julia Powell, RN, member of Ocean City Baptist Church,  Ocean City, NJ says, "People are frantic right now and it's a super scary time being on the front lines of it all. It's easy to get caught up with everyone else's fears but it's helpful to be reminded of the faith and hope we have in God."

• Pray. Knowing the church is supporting us, praying for us is huge! Anything that displays this would be greatly appreciated. 
• Pray. This is an amazing time for Christian healthcare workers to be witnessing--not only to patients but to co-workers. People are frightened. Pray the Lord would guide them in that and bless their efforts for His glory.
• Send thank you cards or notes with your appreciation for their work--even to those you don't know!
• Provide meals for the families.
• Donate personal protective equipment--any unopened boxes of gloves, unused masks, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, face shields, goggles, eye shields, and isolation or surgical gowns. Please note: the use of home-made masks is being disputed, so check with the facility to whom you'll be providing before making them.
• Help healthcare workers with childcare. This is a burden we face as we try to do our job during this stressful time.
• Offer up your skills to help with our children's schoolwork. This can be done remotely in some situations.
• Ask us how you can help.

This is a unique time for all of us. We all need to do our part in serving others.

Opportunity to Evangelize

The unique situation we are all in these days opens up opportunities for evangelism that may not have been available just a month ago. Mike Myers, Pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Royston, Georgia wrote the following article for his county's newspaper. Pastor Myers asks, "Please pray that the Lord will bear good fruit as people read these reflections in our county newspaper. Give thanks also that we still have newspaper editors willing to print this kind of material!"

Tell Us What Your Church is Doing

What creative ways are you using to reach your congregation, neighborhood and beyond?

Helpful Resources

Doug Vos, Deacon at Oakland Hills Community Church in Farmington Hills, MI, and owner of Five More Talents, a website hosting and resource service, put together some online resources that may be helpful for you as you lead your congregation through these uncharted waters. Please check them out! Thanks, Doug!

Now is the Time to Register!

With all of the unknown right now, we are sure of one thing--a true and living God who is not surprised by the events unfolding in the world. How do we respond? Encourage your members to join the OPC Disaster Response Registry. Need to know more?  Take a look at the "Frequently Asked Questions" or contact us: opcdisasterresponse@opc.org.
We currently have 189 registrants with a goal of 300 by hurricane season! We gained 14 registrants in March! Thanks to all who have joined us.

Those who register receive our disaster response newsletter which has special updates and information about the opportunities for service.