May 7, 2020

Dear Pinecrest Family,

What a strange, trying few weeks it has been! When we decided to move our services online on March 15th, I did not imagine that we would continue to be meeting online and still be in the middle of a pandemic eight weeks later. I did not imagine that I would go so long without being able to physically see and hug so many in my earthly family and so many of you in my church family.

I thank God that I have been able to speak to many of you in recent weeks through phone, email, and Zoom online meetings. I thank God that most of our church family is safe and well. I thank God that things seem to be gradually moving in a positive direction around the world and here in America.

On that note, many of you have no doubt heard that things have stabilized enough in NC for our governor Roy Cooper to begin easing restrictions in our state. This has even opened up the possibility of having worship services outside if we maintain social distancing.

After much discussion and prayer, the session, with consulation from our deacons and others in the community, has decided that outdoor worship services are not the best option for Pinecrest at this time. We will continue to worship together online until we can worship together in our building in relative safety. Some of the largest factors guiding this decision are the potential health risks to the volunteers who will have to set-up and breakdown the outdoor service each week, the age and pre-existing medical conditions that put many in our congregation at high risk, and the inability to record & stream our services online if it is held outside. If we held a service outside many who have been faithfully worshipping with us each week online (both members and non-members) would be unable to do so. As much as we would love to get together with each other physically for worship each week, we plan to continue with our services being online only for at least the next few weeks.

At the same time, the session will be working with the deacons and local authorities to put a plan into place so that we can hopefully resume in person services in early June when further restrictions are lifted. After we resume worship services, we will then look to establish a timeline for re-implementing Sunday School, and then finally small group Bible Studies and Circles. Any Bible Study or Circle leaders interested in having an online meeting can contact the church office to receive log-in information for our church’s Zoom account. All of these dates and ideas will be subject to change as the Lord continues to lead us.

In the meantime:

1. PRAY. Please continue to pray for us and your church family here at Pinecrest and join us each Wednesday at 11AM for our online prayer meeting. We encourage you throughout the week to even drive and park at the church so that you can enjoy the church grounds while you pray for it. There are benches next to Meminger Creek and the Memorial Garden where you can sit and enjoy the sounds of God’s creation.
2. WORSHIP. Please continue to worship with us online through our church website or facebook page. Invite others to worship with us by liking and sharing these posts each week.
3. SUPPORT. Please continue to check on one another and let us know of any needs. Please continue to give as you are led and able to support the ministry of Pinecrest and other ministry organizations in our area.

We as a session are praying fervently to the Lord for a cure to put all of this behind us and are seeking His wisdom and guidance for the church until one is found.

May God continue to bless and protect each of you!

Rhett Carson

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,

according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church

and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.