Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4-8
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. In this life we’re going to face problems and pain and there’s going to be situations that we worry about and there’s going to be situations that leave us weary. But good grief remember that Paul wrote these words from within prison walls! And by the way Paul concluded this passage with verse 13. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” You can too! As Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength.” If you don’t nourish your spirit, your heart will grow anxious, cold and hard. So here is a suggestion. Use this precarious time to read and study God’s Word, to earnestly pray and to worship. Share and teach your children the great truths, principles and stories of the Bible. Don’t absorb all your time with the news. Be informed but not overwhelmed. Pastoral suggestion: for every program of the news that you expose yourself to give equal time to reading the Bible, listening to worship music and counting your many blessings…see what God has done and what He will do. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
Communication of Important Information:
Please understand that this is a new journey for all of us. We are working to put in place good communication practices even as I write this letter. The following are the current methods of communication that we are using and putting into place to communicate information.
Phone:
- Call the church office for information at (330) 453-8568 during regular office hours. (M-F 8:00-noon)
- Call Pastor Shafer at (330)327-4227.
- Finally, you may also call Elders for current information and needs. (Check your directory)
Flocknote: (Texting, email and Phone program of the church)
If you have not signed up for Flocknote, please call the church office and Jessica will be happy to get you connected to this communication tool. This is our easiest and preferred method of communication.
Email:
- Email the church office at chogoffice@gmail.com
- Email Pastor Shafer at randyshafer@sbcglobal.net
- Elders (Check directory)
Website: www.Cantonchog.org
- The website will include not only updates of information but video of each week’s worship service while we are unable to meet. I am continuing my sermon series on the book of Jonah.
- Currently we have cancelled worship (in person) through March 29th.
Bible Study:
- It is my hope that beginning next week we will conduct my Bible Study series, Go Fish, through an interactive web conferencing platform that will allow you to join through your computer or by phone. More info on that will come later.
Worship:
- All Worship services are available at our website at cantonchog.org
- If you prefer DVD you may contact the church office and we would be happy to mail a copy.
Giving: Tithes, offerings, Faith Promise Missions and Building Fund
This is an important time to continue with Faithful support of the church and its ministries. Expenses and ministries continue even when we are not physically present. It is of vital importance that when this is all over, we will be in a strong position to move forward with our ministry and relocation efforts. There are several ways to give.
- Mail: 3026 11th Street SW., Canton, Ohio 44710
- Deliver your envelop to the office during regular office hours. (M-F 8:00 a.m. – noon)
- Online through the church website by PayPal or credit card. cantonchog.org
Easter at the Eleventh Street Church of God!
