<p>April 5, 2020</p>
<p>Hello Pilgrim Rest Family,</p>
<p>I pray that you and your families are well. I pray also that you know that you have the power to Exercise Faith Over Fear, that you are actually Exercising Faith Over Fear and you are encouraging others to Exercise Faith Over Fear.</p>
<p>GOD CREATED US AS COMMUNAL BEINGS</p>
<p>For several weeks, we as humans, all over the world, have been asked to practice social distancing – that is, to remain a distance of six feet from other humans. This is done to flatten the curve and reduce the spread and of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus).</p>
<p>Whereas, this practice is an optimal solution to flatten the curve and reduce the spread and of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus), it is not what God has in mind when He created humans. God created us to be in relationship with each other and God created us to be in relationship with Himself.</p>
<p>Genesis Chapter 1, Verse 31 says, “31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Of course, everything that God created was very good – God created it.</p>
<p>Interestingly however, Genesis Chapter 2, Verse 18 says, “18 And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable [suitable / just right] to him.’” Following that, God created every animal and bird and brought them to Adam to be named. Adam gave names to all of the animals and birds. However, for Adam, there was not a helper that was suitable or just right for him. Think about it, there were all types of animals running around and all types of birds flying around (not to mention all of the fish, water creatures, insects and reptiles), and Adam was still lonely because none of the other creatures of God’s creation was suitable for him for companionship.</p>
<p>God in His love and wisdom, put Adam to sleep, took a rib from his side and created for him someone suitable for him, with whom he could have companionship. When Adam saw Eve he said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.” Adam was literally saying, “At last, this is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh…” Adam was acknowledging that none of the animals, birds, fish or reptiles that God created could provide for him sufficient companionship. With the creation of Eve, another human – “At last…”</p>
<p>Again, God created us to be in relationship with other humans. God created us to be in communion or community with other humans. That is why so many of us are struggling with the social distancing order. We cannot touch each other, hug each other, eat with each other, hang out with each other, and be in the presence of each other. The social distancing order is completely foreign to how God created us.</p>
<p>Therefore, since we cannot be as close and personal to each other as we would like, I encourage you to be as close and personal to each other as you can.</p>
<p>1. Do less texting and more calling (Yes, actually call the person and talk to them)</p>
<p>2. Use the video calling apps that are available:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">a. Face Time (For Apple products. You can make group video call)</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">b. Google Duo (For Android and Apple. You can make group calls)</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">c. Skype</p>
<p>Please share additional ideas for us to be as close and personal as we can, and we will share them with the congregation.</p>
<p>Beginning this week, we have established three times for you to call in and have prayer. The prayer times will be Mondays at 5:45 p.m., Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. To call into the prayer line, call 425-436-6340, the access code is 394518#.</p>
<p>Last, the Absentee Voting Deadline is extended from April 7 to April 13. Additionally, a judge ordered the state to waive requirements that absentee voters have a witness sign their ballot. See flyer below for additional information for Drive-By Voting.</p>
<p>Do know that we love you and we miss you. We pray for you daily and look forward to the day when we can gather together and share our love in your presence. May God continue to bless you and your family.</p>
<p>Love, Pastor Martin and Sis. Thresessa Childs</p>

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