Dear Friends in Christ,
As I write this newsletter article it is the 23rd of March. Usually at this time of year we are complaining about the fluctuations in the weather – warm one day, cold the next; rain one day, snow the next.

This year that is not the case.

We are all troubled by the coronavirus or COVID-19. Today we learned that there are two cases in Hancock County. This raises our stress just a little, to be sure. To a great extent our lives have been turned upside down.
I am stressed by all the visits I normally make but, due to the virus, I cannot. I am doing what I can by reaching out to many people through daily broadcasts of devotions entitled “Words of Hope”. In addition, this week I began a daily “Little Lambs Bible Story Time with Pastor Kozisek”. Lord willing, we will continue our service broadcasts on Wednesday evening at 7:00pm and Sunday morning at 9:00am until we are back to normal (if that is ever possible).

In John 14:1 we hear these words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” With all the changes to our lives with this present pandemic our hearts are troubled. For the church it is difficult to not have a church service with people present. It is very troubling as we move forward to consider the possibility of not having services for Holy Week and Easter! All of us have had to make changes to our lives and some of the changes are painful to say the least.

May we also think of those who have this virus or have had loved ones die because of it. There is plenty of trouble to go around.

In John 14 we are told not to let our hearts be troubled. This is possible when we trust in God and in the Son of God who is the way, the truth and the life. This is possible when we cultivate our relationship with God by spending times in devotion and prayer.

May we not forget Romans 8:28 “…for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Yes, God can and will bring good out of this in our lives.
God be with you and bless you and strengthen you!

Rev. Scott A. Kozisek