Dear Church Family, 

We are cancelling church services and activities until further notice.

On March 12 we received a recommendation from our Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, "to suspend in-person church services and activities through March 31, 2020...The reason for this is our strong value as a conference that as communities of faith, we have an obligation to care for the most vulnerable in our churches, our families and our communities. By stopping these gatherings, we are then doing our part to stop the spread of an illness that could harm or kill those vulnerable people."

The Hemet SDA Church board voted to move forward in accepting and following the recommendation of the Conference and explore more innovative ways to "be the church" so that faith has the last word. We recognize this recommendation is bringing disruption and challenges us to think of different ways to minister to our church families through this period. We value you and ask that you take care of your own health during this time. We encourage you to get plenty of rest and drink lots of clean water and spend life giving time in the word of God and in prayer as we continue to trust in our God. We are praying for you as you are that peaceful, calming presence in your sphere of influence during this time. We will continue to keep you updated in this rapidly changing environment. Regardless of gathering together or in our own homes, we would like to extend an invitation to join in prayer. We want to respond to the diseases of this world with responsibility and wisdom while never letting anything rob our joy and peace in Christ. Please know we will still BE the church and stay connected with the church body through social media, phone calls, e-mails, and prayers. We are not a church because of a building, we are a church because of being followers of Christ, caring and loving one another.

"20 You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building. 21 That whole building is joined together in Christ. And Christ makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Christ you, too, are being built together with the Jews. You are being built into a place where God lives through the Spirit." Ephesians 2:20-22

Prayer. Fasting. These are the actions we take that move our hearts to turn to God in times of fear and chaos. These are actions we take that are deeply personal. Yet, also require accountability with each other as a community. We are asking that as a church we pray. Pray for the most vulnerable in our society that are affected by this Coronavirus. Pray for the peace of Christ that passes all understanding to comfort those crippled by fear. Pray for the goodness of God and the praises of our Lord to resound over the anxiety of this season. Most of all, pray that God be glorified in and through this time. As you have conversations surrounding the chaos building know that we are praying God touches your lips so that you may share the eternal gospel for those seeking it desperately right now!