Hello FCBC Family,

We are nearing three weeks since we last met. For many of us, we are starting to get used to this new normal, working at home, no school for the kids, not being able to go out and see others.  At the same time this new normal is constantly changing and we're constantly adjusting, as the effects of the Coronavirus are being felt that much more, whether physically as we are tired, financially or emotionally as we worry, as we miss being with others. We face new challenges each day, as we do, a number of passages come to mind and bring me comfort. 

Psalms 46 – "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

1 Peter 5:6-7 - "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.""

As we face these new challenges, I want to take this time to ask you to pray. 

Right now, I ask that you pray specifically for our health care personnel throughout the world, as they are on the front lines, fighting this battle as they work at hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, labs, and so many other places. You know, as we pray for them, they are not only throughout the world, but we have so many right here in our church. All you have to do is think about the deacons, the officers, and the people in your Sunday School classes and fellowship groups and many people will come to mind.  And right now they are working hard to help the sick, many placing themselves at risk, they’re tired, stressed, some are scared, and much more.

As we pray, we pray not only for them, but also for their families, for their husband or wife at home who may be worried, for their children who miss their mommy or daddy or for the parents of these medical personnel as they are worried for their children. We want to pray for them. 

And also as we get updates in the news, we also pray for those right now in New York where the coronavirus has hit the hardest. We pray for Peter and Suan’s son - Jonathan Fung as he is out there, and also Sai and Nancy Wong who were a part of our church and in our Parakaleo small group a number of years ago before moving back to New York.  Sai recently posted on Facebook, just the other day and he wrote “long day. I am not built for this. This is just the first day of taking Covid airway role. I have never dealt with patient death well. All I saw was ventilators, cardiac arrest, and death all around me. The worst is not being able to hug and kiss my wife and children for the next 7 days after each exposure. I am terrified. I am not built for this”, and his wife, Nancy also posts as she is at home taking care of their four children and how their children are processing and working through this as they are worried and miss their daddy. 

I really want to challenge you and encourage you to take time aside to pray for our medical personnel. I am going to pray now, join me.  

Father, we thank you that you are God, seated on your throne, sovereign of all things, even the Coronavirus. Right now, as we thank you for the many medical personnel and their desires to serve You and serve the people of this country, of this world, as they care for these people as they help and place themselves at risk, as they are tired and as they are stressed going through each day. Lord, we ask that You would be their refuge and their strength, that they would be able to run to you at all time and find comfort in you, and they will find strength in you for each day. Lord we ask for you to help them and give them rest, protection, give them a strong faith and trust in You.  We also pray for their families. Lord you will give them peace and comfort in this time and help them as they work through their different challenges and emotions as you would walk with them. That we as a church would come alongside to love and support and encourage and pray for them at this time. Lord help us we need your help. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Again I encourage you as a church, as a part of church to be in prayer for the medical personnel especially those in our church and their families, take time later and pray for them, and after you pray for them, take a moment to send them a message or texts or email or you can call and just to let them know you’re praying for them. This is a great way to encourage and support them in this time. So let’s continue to pray together and look to God together in faith. 

And again, I encourage you to join us this Sunday for our live stream worship service on the English side we will go through Psalm 46, and on Wednesdays to join us for time of prayer. 

Take care and God bless.