Sunday service was let by Rev. Dylan Parson and was titled “The Bittersweet Revolution”.
Fairhaven UMC
United Methodist Church
2415 Saw Mill Run Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
Sunday 9:30am Worship
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Sunday service was led by Rev. Dylan Parson and was titled “Dry Bones”.
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Sunday Service was led by Rev Dylan Parson and was titled “Living Water”.
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After today’s announcement that multiple cases of COVID-19 coronavirus have been confirmed in Allegheny County, and in consultation with church leadership across the Partnership, we have decided to close for the following three Sundays (3/15, 3/22, and 3/29), as well as cancel church events across the same time period.
We cannot take the risk that someone gets sick from worship. Pastor Diane and I can’t bear the thought of having to visit any of you in the ICU (or, worse, not being able to do so) because of a dangerous illness that you could have avoided by staying home from church. I say this not to be alarmist, but to express the depth of the risk that is being explained to us by doctors and public health experts.
This is an incredibly hard choice, one which we are hoping will look like an overreaction in hindsight over the next few months. That will mean it worked!
We will be doing our best to figure out some sort of online worship service, in the meantime, to keep us all united in prayer and worship. Stay close to God, even when you are home, and perhaps use this moment as a Lenten opportunity to strengthen your faith and spiritual practices. Additionally, please remember that the expenses and ministry of the church continue, even as our doors are closed. If you are at all able, your continued faithful giving is crucial at this time, and we are deeply grateful, not only for your tithes and offering but also for your contributions to Fairhaven’s food pantry and clothing closet.
By all means, keep in touch with your pastors. We are still available for needs that arise and to keep you in prayer. “Social distancing” should not mean social isolation, so also keep in contact with your church family, looking after them in love, perhaps with the occasional phone call. Please, also, pray for your pastors, and for all of the shut-ins across the SHP, as well as the sick, and the doctors, nurses, scientists, and leaders charged with keeping people safe around the world.
May God’s grace and protection be with you. The Lord our God–our Savior and our Great Physician–walks with us always.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Dylan Parson -
Brothers and sisters,
As we respond as a Partnership to the COVID-19 coronavirus, our first priority is to keep one another safe and healthy as best we can.
We will be having worship services this Sunday, March 14th, and will be taking measures within the service to reduce the spread of germs. However, I would strongly encourage you to stay home if you are sick or have a weakened immune system. Even if you are remotely concerned about getting sick, please feel free to stay home. Know that you will be in our prayers in your absence, but your health and that of others is the most important priority for the church.
We are all in this together, healthy or sick, young or old. Now, more than ever, we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, as our decisions and actions directly impact the lives of countless others around us. Seek God’s will as you discern how to take care of other people and yourself. As a church, too, let’s consider how those of us who are most able can actively help those most in need among us at this time. Of course, please keep all of those affected in your prayers.
Note that all SHP churches will be closing for at least two weeks following this Sunday (that is, from Monday, March 16th through Sunday, March 29th), alongside other local congregations and school districts across Pennsylvania.
More information will be coming soon, including about how we might be able to worship online in lieu of gathering together.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Dylan