Dear Chapel Family,

The Elders and the staff of Littlestown Chapel love you, we church members and attenders love each other, and we – the entire church family – love our neighbors in the community. Therefore, all that we do and say over the next few months as we reopen the Chapel should be done with love. Let all that we say and do in the coming months reflect that attitude of love despite any hardships, disagreements, or unintentional offenses that may occur as we seek to reopen. Jesus commanded his followers to love each other as he has loved us (John 13:34-35).

Littlestown Chapel closed its public, in-person worship services and gatherings at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in early March. The church leadership at that time decided to voluntarily participate with Pennsylvania Governor Wolf’s stay-at-home order and limitation of the size of public gatherings. As a religious institution, the Chapel has always been exempted from following the quarantine guidelines. Our decision to cheerfully cooperate with the governor’s directives and temporarily let go of our right to in-person worship has been driven by the following:

1. Compassion for One Another – Closing our in-person gatherings is a way to love and protect one another in our church family, especially those most at-risk.
2. Common Sense – Closing our in-person gatherings is also a way to love our neighbors by doing our part as concerned fellow-citizens to help limit the spread of the coronavirus.
3. Christ’s Example – He humbly gave up his rights for our salvation. (Philippians 2:5-8)
4. Character Development – Shutting the church building has challenged us to trust Jesus more than ever as we have had to adapt to new ways of doing church ministry. We have grown in faith and flexibility in ways we wouldn’t have been able to prior to the quarantine.
5. Church Staff Needs – The health concerns in several of the church staff families necessitated moving to online worship in place of in-person gatherings.
    

Now that Adams and York Counties have entered the yellow phase of Gov. Wolf’s plan for reopening Pennsylvania, it’s time to consider Littlestown Chapel’s strategy for reopening in-person gatherings. The elders and staff of the Chapel are in complete agreement on the following:

1. We want everyone who calls the Chapel their home to participate in the corporate life and worship of the church either at home, in a growth group, or in a small group at the church building. Individuals and families should make decisions based on their personal situations without feeling any obligation to participate in behaviors they consider to be higher risk.
    
2. The weekly worship service will continue to be livestreamed on the internet at 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings and be will available online thereafter.
   1. There will be no live, in-person worship services held in the Chapel building.
   2. There will be livestream worship service watch parties held in growth groups throughout the community and at the church building. (Details are listed below.)
       
3. Small group gatherings will be the first in-person church activities implemented. Growth groups are encouraged to begin meeting in-person when they understand the risks to their group – specifically, the danger coronavirus poses to the health and age of group participants and the ways to appropriately mitigate the danger. Growth groups are encouraged to meet to watch the worship service together or do some other study. We strongly urge that:
   1. Growth group gatherings be no larger than 25 people.
   2. Proper social distancing is practiced.
   3. Face masks are worn by participants.
       
4. On Sunday mornings, the church building will be open at 10:30 AM for those who wish to watch the worship service livestream and do not already participate in a growth group. While we cannot guarantee the health and safety of every person entering the building, we are seeking to provide a clean and safe environment for those who choose to come. We will do the following:
   1. All high-touch surfaces will be wiped down with disinfectant before, during, and after the Sunday 10:30 AM livestream services at the church (doorknobs, counter and tabletops, railings, bathroom fixtures, etc.)
   2. Doors will be propped open as people enter and exit the service.
   3. Greeters will wear face masks at all times.
   4. Paper bulletins, pew Bibles, and hymnals will not be available.
   5. Seating will be arranged to maintain appropriate social distancing.
   6. The kitchen will be closed. Serving coffee and refreshments is discouraged. The Keurig coffee machines will not be used.
       
5. We have determined that three groups of 15-25 people can gather in the building to watch the Sunday livestream: one group the auditorium, another in the Power Source classroom, and a third in the Ignition (teen) room. Each room will show that Sunday’s livestream service. Those Chapel members and friends who choose to worship at the church building must:
   1. Make a reservation for themselves and their family to ensure that there is room available for them. Use this link to place your reservation. Please sign up by 12 noon on Saturday. For now, you will need to sign up each week.
   2. If your growth group is meeting, please attend that gathering.
   3. Wearing a face mask is required at all times inside the church building.
   4. Use hand sanitizer when you enter the building.
   5. Practice social distancing. Families can sit together. Seating will be appropriately spaced apart.
   6. Each room will enter and exit the building by a separate doorway. You can visit with those worshipping in another room outside in the parking lot. Promptly and politely exit the building as soon as the service is over. You are encouraged to socialize with others outside.
   7. If you wish to give your offering, there will be a basket for that purpose in each room.
   8. Wave, smile, and say hello – but refrain from hugging and shaking hands with others.
   9. IF YOU ARE SICK, PLEASE STAY HOME. Those having a fever, cough, or breathing issues, should stay home to watch the livestream service and come back when they are feeling better.
       
6. Some growth groups met in the church building prior to the stay-at-home guidelines. These may resume meeting at the church building for their growth group gatherings. If they need to meet at a time other than Sunday morning, the group leader will need to make arrangements ahead of time with the church office to ensure that the building is open when they desire to meet.
    
7. For now, there will be no children’s ministry at the church, including the nursery. Children are welcome to attend the livestream service at church with their families. Provisions are being developed for a modified VBS program in June. The Ignition student ministry will meet at the discretion of Pastor Josh and his adult volunteer leaders. They also will follow the meeting guidelines listed above.
    
8. The church staff will continue to work from home and meet by video conference.
    
9. Other groups who meet at the church building during the week (i.e.: Celebrate Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous) must follow these guidelines:
   1. Group size of 25 people or less.
   2. Face masks worn while inside the building.
   3. Social distancing between participants.
   4. In addition, these groups will need to wipe all high-touch surfaces with disinfectant provided by the church (doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, counter and tabletops, music stands, etc.) BEFORE AND AFTER their meetings.
        

God bless each of you!

Pastor Scott

As I write this, Gov. Wolf has just given the order for Adams and York Counties to move into the yellow phase for reopening this coming Friday, May 22. Many businesses and individuals are grateful for the lifting of the most restrictive of the quarantine guidelines. Large group gatherings are still limited to no more than 25 attendees, and citizens are asked to stay-at-home and telecommute for work as much as possible. Like all other religious institutions in the commonwealth, Littlestown Chapel is exempt from these restrictions. However, the elders and staff of the Chapel are in complete agreement that we should love our neighbors by voluntarily choosing to abide by the guidelines.

This coming Monday evening, May 18, the elders and ministry council will be gathering on Zoom for our monthly meeting, and on our agenda will be finalizing the details for beginning in-person growth groups and small worship gatherings in homes and at church. We will share the specifics our plans with you by Friday, May 22. Remember, the church was never really closed – just the doors to our building.

We will continue to limit our groups to 25 people or less. The worship service will continue to be livestreamed as it has for the past 10 weeks, which will enable all our members and friends the decide whether or not to attend in person. We recognize that people will come when they feel safe.

We will follow the guidelines for wearing face masks at our gatherings (by the way, wearing a face mask does not spread the coronavirus!), practicing appropriate social distancing, refraining from handshakes and hugs, and wiping high-touch surfaces with disinfectants frequently. Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer children’s ministry for now but will do all we can to assist parents in teaching their children God’s Word at home. In truth, opening the church in a safe manner will be more difficult than it was to close it.

Some folks will eagerly come back to the public gatherings as soon as we open the doors, while others are not yet comfortable doing so. Whether we attend or remain home, we need to love and respect one another! As we prepare to reopen our worship gatherings and growth groups, I suggest that each of us read this article: Church, Don’t Let Coronavirus Divide You.

Someone suggested that life after the covid-19 quarantine will be much like climbing out of a shelter after a terrible blizzard and finding it not just winter, but a little ice age. Things have changed in major ways, and the normal we’re used to is gone. We’ll now have to learn how to navigate the challenging new ways of ministry that will be required by the new norms of post-pandemic life. It will take much patience, wisdom, and courage from all of us. We’ll need to give each other much grace as we adapt to these changes in our jobs, schools, social life, and church. We don’t have experience; none of us have done this before!

Yet, the Lord Jesus remains the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). As we love him steadfastly and love our neighbors, he will see us through and bring glory to his name. Let’s claim this wonderful promise: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we are able to ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

God bless each of you!

Pastor Scott

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

What’s the Plan for Reopening Public Worship? – The Littlestown/Hanover area is currently in the red phase of the governor’s plan to reopen Pennsylvania. This prohibits large group gatherings and keeps the stay-at-home orders in place. While the Chapel, as a religious institution, is exempt from these guidelines, the elders and staff are in agreement that we should continue not to hold any in-person public meetings until our region enters the yellow phase.

When we do reopen, we will follow the guidelines of the yellow phase that limit the size of our groups to 25 people or less. This means that all of our gatherings will be small. Growth groups could meet in homes or at the Chapel, and the worship service will continue to be livestreamed. Livestreaming the service gives all our members and friends the option to stay home or attend in person as they feel it is safe to do so. At all our public gatherings, we will follow the guidelines for wearing face masks, practicing social distancing, and wiping high-touch surfaces with disinfectants frequently. We are also developing an alternative plan for holding Vacation Bible School in a way that works within the guidelines. Be assured that we will continue to keep you informed as the situation changes.

Will You Pause for Prayer? – One thing that doesn’t change is God’s attentiveness to his children. He loves to hear them call upon him! Join us this Wednesday at 12 noon or 7:00 PM as we pause to pray together as the Chapel family on Zoom. This week Jessica Robinson will be leading our prayer time as I need to help my son in Pittsburgh. Teens and children are welcome to participate! If you can take a break in the middle of the day or meet with us in the evening, pausing to pray is worth it. Hope you can make it this Wednesday! Sign up for a free account with Zoom. Meeting ID: 283-754-6033, Password: Prayer1144.

Don’t Give Up – Keep Praying!

• Awakening for His Church
• Salvation for those who are lost
• Slowing the spread of the coronavirus
• Healing for those afflicted
• Comfort for those grieving
• Provision for those who’ve lost their jobs
• Strength for those caring for the sick

Celebrate Recovery Crisis Response – Need some encouragement as you work your recovery while you stay-at-home? Check out Celebrate Recovery’s Crisis Response online share groups. There are two ladies’ groups and one men’s group that meet for about an hour each week. Newcomers are welcome! Special group guidelines guarantee confidentiality and give an opportunity for all participants to share, if they would like. Now would be a great time to see if Celebrate Recovery fits you! Just call Scott or Dawn at 717-226-2999 if you’re interested.

Congratulations to Dan and Emily Davis on the birth of their son, Judah Timothy, last Friday, May 1st.

God bless each of you!

Pastor Scott

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

Priorities in a Pandemic – What has been most important to you during the Covid-19 quarantine? Your family’s health and safety? Your financial well-being? Your job? Your children’s education? All of these are absolutely necessary, but what about your spiritual health? Are you prioritizing your walk with God? Don’t forget to spend time in the Word each day to listen to Jesus (you can use the Engage study guide in the bulletin for help). Take the worries and anxieties you may have and turn them into prayers. Many of us now have irregular schedules because we are working from home, so it’s easy to let our devotional time with God slide. Ask for his help and he will give it. God is not socially distant – he’s with you always (see above)!

Communion Next Sunday – During next Sunday’s online worship service we will be celebrating the Lord’s Table, otherwise known as Communion. You’ll need to prepare this week so you can participate. Make sure that you have some grape juice/wine on hand, along with bread or crackers (you’ll need enough for each participant in your household). During the service, we will give simple instructions for how to take part. This will be a great learning opportunity for children as they share in this experience! And please, don’t skip communion; Jesus asked us to do this and remember Him.

Join Us as We Pause for Prayer – I have been really blessed by the many different folks who have joined me in pausing to pray on Wednesdays at 12 noon or 7:00 PM on Zoom. Whether you are doing your schoolwork or working from home, you can pause with us and get encouragement from the Word, an opportunity to catch-up with friends, and pray with others in the Chapel family. Hope to see you this Wednesday! Sign up for a free account with Zoom. Meeting ID: 986 145 8288. PW: ShowTheWay

Help Ruth’s Harvest Help Hungry Children – Be sure to see the announcement asking for help supporting Ruth’s Harvest, the local non-profit that provides backpacks with food for needy children in the Littlestown Area School District. Many families are suffering financially during the stay-at-home order and economic downturn. Would you please contribute to this worthy cause?

Hope for the Darker Side of Staying-At-Home – Maybe things haven’t been going well for you as you shelter at home. Perhaps you’ve slipped into a destructive habit or you feel overwhelmed by anxiety. May I suggest that you check out Celebrate Recovery’s Crisis Response online share groups. There are two ladies’ groups and one men’s group that meet for about an hour each week. Special guidelines guarantee confidentiality and give an opportunity for all participants to share, if they would like. Now would be a great time to checkout Celebrate Recovery and see if it fits you. Just call Scott or Dawn at 717-226-2999 if you’re interested.

We’re never alone! The risen Jesus is with us until the end of the age!

Pastor Scott

Skeptic to Worshipper – Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29)

“When Are We Reopening Church?” – This question is probably on everyone’s mind in the Chapel Family. The elders and staff are gathering information, assessing the government’s guidelines, and developing a plan that will gradually reopen our public worship services in stages. We’ll keep you fully informed as we work things out. Pray for us that God will give us wisdom to do what’s best at the proper time. In the meanwhile, remember that Littlestown Chapel is still a living and growing church even during stay-at-home times. God is working and moving among us as we pray, study his word, and worship at a physical distance.

Pause for Prayer with Pastor Scott – I invite you to join me on Zoom, Wednesdays at 12 noon or 7:00 PM. Get encouragement from the Word, an opportunity to catch-up with friends, and pray with others in the Chapel family. Sign up for a free account with Zoom. Meeting ID: 986 145 8288. PW: ShowTheWay

Hope for Dark Times – This Sunday we will continue the sermon series called, “More Than Enough” which will explore the famous “I AM” sayings of Jesus found in John’s gospel. You and I will find lasting hope in these trying times as we trust the risen Christ who’s more than enough for every challenging situation. Invite a friend to watch with you.

Backpack Blessings with Ruth’s Harvest – Be sure to see the announcement asking for help supporting Ruth’s Harvest, the local non-profit that provides backpacks with food for needy children in the Littlestown Area School District. Many families are suffering financially during the stay-at-home order and economic downturn. Would you please help this worthy cause?

Good Neighbors – Could God be using the pandemic to open hearts to hear the good news of Jesus? Here are helpful ways to let your neighbors know that God loves them and that you care for them, too.

• Take a look at the Blessing Box attachment in this week’s bulletin for ideas how to reach out to families with children.
• Check out the COVID-19 Neighboring Toolkit
• Your simple phone call or text inviting them to watch the Chapel’s worship services online can make an eternal difference for them.

If You Need Prayer, Food, Medicine, or Other Assistance, please contact one of the elders. We’re here to help you!

• Pastor Scott Morgan 717-226-2999
• Pastor Josh Stratton 717-476-0825
• Jim Greene 717-476-8155
• Rich Stratton 717-521-4108
• Brian Robinson 410-852-3639
• Dan Davis 717-965-6120
• John Penner 717-965-9127

Our Savior lives, and He is in control. Rest in Him! May He bless you and yours.

Pastor Scott

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:19-21)

It bears repeating: Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! I hope you and your family enjoyed celebrating Jesus’ victory over death.

Jesus is More Than Enough – This Sunday we will begin a new sermon series called, “More Than Enough” which will explore the famous “I AM” sayings of Jesus found in John’s gospel. You and I will find lasting hope in these trying times as we trust the risen Christ who’s more than enough for every challenging situation. Invite a friend to watch with you.

Help Feed the Hungry – Last Sunday we raised over $1500 in a love offering for New Hope Ministries, the local community food bank. Thank you for your generosity! Be sure to see the announcement asking for help supporting Ruth’s Harvest, the local non-profit that provides backpacks with food for needy children in the Littlestown Area School District. Many families are suffering financially during the stay-at-home order and economic downturn. We can help!

Let Your Light Shine in the Neighborhood – Speaking of friends, here are a few suggestions telling your neighbors that God loves them, and you do, too! These are practical, helpful ways to let them know that you’re here for them.

• Your simple phone call or text inviting them to watch the Chapel’s worship services online can make an eternal difference for them. 
• Take a look at the Blessing Box attachment in this week’s bulletin for ideas how to reach out to families with children.
• Check out the COVID-19 Neighboring Toolkit

Pause for Prayer with Pastor Scott – I have enjoyed seeing and praying with some of the Chapel family when we’ve met to Pause to Pray. I invite you to join me on Zoom, Wednesdays at 12 noon or 7:00 PM. Get encouragement from the Word, an opportunity to catch-up with friends, and pray with others in the Chapel family. Sign up for a free account with Zoom. Meeting ID: 986 145 8288. PW: ShowTheWay

Keep praying for

• Awakening for His Church
• Salvation for those who are lost
• Slowing the spread of the coronavirus
• Healing for those afflicted
• Comfort for those grieving
• Provision for those who’ve lost their jobs
• Strength for those caring for the sick

Looking forward to worshiping with you online this Sunday. God bless you!

Pastor Scott

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Happy Easter! Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!

Join us for our online Easter Celebration – Sunday at 10:30 a.m. live-streaming here on our website. Share in the beautiful singing and message from God’s Word, “Finding Hope in the Face of Death.” Invite a friend to watch. After the service, be sure to jump over to Zoom and visit with your Chapel friends and family in our virtual lobby! Instructions how will be given at the end of worship.

Share the joy Easter morning at 9:00 a.m. – While we can’t gather for Easter worship at church, we can bring the celebration that Christ is Risen to our neighborhoods. Join with Christians across the country in solidarity with our fellow believers living in New York City, and stand outside your house or apartment to joyfully take part in Easter Song 2020. Reciting this simple affirmation of faith and joining in song just might be the most meaningful thing you’ll do this Easter! I can’t wait to cheer for Jesus, our risen King!

Love your neighbor as you love yourself – Here are a few suggestions for showing your neighbors that God loves them and so do you! Let them know that you’re here for them.

• Take a look at the Blessing Box attachment in this week’s bulletin for ideas how to reach out to families with children.
• Check out the COVID-19 Neighboring Toolkit.
• It’s not too late to invite someone you care about to watch the Chapel’s Easter worship service online with you! Your simple phone call or text can make an eternal difference for them.

Love offering for New Hope Ministries – On Easter Sunday one of the ways we’re celebrating Christ’s resurrection is by collecting a love offering to help New Hope Ministries, the community food bank serving people in need living in Adams, York, and Cumberland Counties. Consider giving an extra financial gift online or through the mail with your offering this week in support of this wonderful ministry that’s working hard right here in Littlestown and Hanover. Watch this terrific video message from Eric Saunders, NHM’s executive director, and pray about giving and volunteering to help take care of local families in need.

Pause for Prayer with Pastor Scott – I invite you to join me on Zoom, Wednesdays at 12 noon or 7:00 p.m. Encouragement from the Word, opportunity to share, and prayer with others in the Chapel family. Sign up for a free account with Zoom. (Meeting ID: 986 145 8288. PW: ShowTheWay)

Don’t let up in prayer! – Keep praying for:

• Slowing the spread of the coronavirus
• Healing for those afflicted
• Comfort for those grieving
• Provision for those who’ve lost their jobs
• Strength for those caring for the sick
• Salvation for those who are lost
• Awakening for His Church

We serve a Risen Savior who’s working powerfully both in us and in the world today!

Pastor Scott

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)

God bless you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we press on together following Jesus and serving him during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s the latest news from the Chapel.

Palm Sunday – When we gather online for our Palm Sunday worship this weekend, we will be starting what is traditionally known as Holy Week. If your growth group is assembling for a video meeting this week, I hope that you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the Lord’s Table (communion).

Good Friday – This coming Friday night (April 10) at 7:00 PM the Chapel will be hosting the Good Friday Community Worship Service online, which will be live streamed on both our website and Facebook. We will be sharing communion then as well.

Communion – As we partake of the Lord’s Table this week using our online video connections, you will need to prepare ahead of time. Besides seeking the Lord in prayer and confession to prepare your heart, make sure you have on hand grape juice (or wine, or another juice if necessary) and bread or crackers. Your leaders will give you instructions how to participate. Whether we are alone or together, the power and blessing of sharing the Lord’s Table is in remembering Jesus.

Easter Celebration – Easter is next Sunday, and we can celebrate even in these uncertain times because JESUS LIVES AND HE IS LORD! He has conquered our greatest enemies: sin, death, and the devil. Though we are all housebound, online we will worship Jesus and share his good news, and I hope you’ll join with us.

Invite a Friend – Many of our unchurched and unsaved neighbors, relatives, and friends will be open to watching an online service this year. Would you prayerfully consider inviting them to watch Littlestown Chapel’s live stream service? A personal phone call or text from you might be just what they need to join the celebration and find hope in the face of death because Jesus lives!

Easter Love Offering – During our Easter Celebration live stream service online we will be inviting those watching to consider making a donation to the Chapel for the benefit of New Hope Ministries, the community food bank serving Hanover and Littlestown.

Sunday Morning Worship Services – We have made the decision to not film our worship services live from here on out. It’s just too risky and could endanger the participants’ health. So, this week those who are leading the worship service will be prerecording their portions of the program. These individual components will then be assembled and presented together in the live stream at 10:30 AM and posted on the Chapel website by 2:00 PM.

If You Need Assistance – If you need prayer, food, medicine, or other assistance, please contact one of the elders. We’re here to help you!

• Pastor Scott Morgan – (717) 226-2999
• Pastor Josh Stratton  – (717) 476-0825
• Jim Greene (717) 476-8155
• Rich Stratton (717) 521-4108
• Brian Robinson (410) 852-3639
• Dan Davis (717) 965-6120
• John Penner (717) 965-9127

Keep your chin up, and your knees down!

Pastor Scott

“I have said these things to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Jesus in John 16:33)

I hope all of you are doing well at home during the Coronavirus pandemic. “These are crazy times!,” a friend of mine said to me this week, and he is certainly right. While we must practice social distancing from one another, praise the Lord He is never distant or isolated from us! When Jesus miraculously calmed the stormy sea (Mark 4:35-41) and then asked his terrified disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” he wasn’t rebuking them. Rather, he was prodding them and us to always remember: “Jesus does care, and I can trust Him!”

Until further notice we will not be holding public worship services and meetings at our building. We will continue to offer the live stream of our worship services on Sunday mornings. To improve the quality of the live stream we’ve made some equipment changes and have added the capability of watching the live stream directly from the Chapel website in addition to Facebook. Simply click on the link on the homepage to login to the live stream. The quality of the streaming will be better on the Chapel site. The sermon and announcements will be recorded and posted on the website Sunday afternoon for later viewing.

Thank you, Pastor Josh, for working out all these technical details for us. I’m also grateful for Clayton Stratton, Brian Robinson, Vickie Collins, and Travis and Nicole Seitler for assisting in producing the live stream, and for Dan and Emily Davis, Dawn Morgan, and Carlyn Freil for taking part in the services. We’re doing our best with the resources and expertise that we have to lead you into worship and the Word; we ask for your patience and prayers.

Some of you may be wondering how we are able to continue broadcasting from church with the governor’s stay-at-home order for York County in effect. As a church/religious organization, we are exempt from the order and believe that it remains safe to meet in a small number, practicing social distancing, to produce the worship service.

Sadly, this means that we will not be gathering together for our Easter Sunday services and baptisms will take place once we are able to gather together again. For many of us that’s another loss to mourn during this season of sacrifices. However, we are brainstorming ways to make our Resurrection Celebration even more celebratory though it will take place online. The Hanover Area evangelical pastors will be holding our annual Good Friday Community Worship Service via live stream online as well. We are even trying to figure out how to share communion. This service will also be live streamed here and Facebook. Encourage your friends to join us online Good Friday and Easter; perhaps host a watch party.

Thankfully, several of the Growth Groups and share groups from our Celebrate Recovery ministry have been able to connect online by means of the app Zoom. Even though we have to be distant from one other, we don’t have to isolate. We can remain connected to each other. Let’s keep caring for one another by phone and online.

The Coronavirus pandemic has unsettled so many people, and many are wondering about death and the afterlife. It certainly seems like these crazy times are being used by God to get people’s attention. Knowing this, I will be sharing the gospel simply and clearly in the next several Sunday morning messages. I ask for your prayers for clarity, boldness, and compassion as I preach. And I’ll be praying for you and me that God would open doors for us to share the good news of King Jesus to others.

Remember that our global ministry partners are struggling with the Coronavirus situation, too. Make sure you see their prayer letters attached to the bulletin. And thank you for remembering to give online or by mail. It really helps during these uncertain economic times.

Please know that if you have any questions, ideas, concerns, or prayer requests, you can call. Your elders, pastoral staff, and leaders all love you and are praying for you!

Pastor Scott Morgan

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

Due to the spread of the Coronavirus and government directives, for the rest of March 2020, Littlestown Chapel will not hold public worship services, Kids’ Church, Ignition student ministry, Growth Groups, AA, or Celebrate Recovery meetings. The elders and staff will assess the situation at the end of the month to determine whether or not we can resume public gatherings. We will continue to broadcast the Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. via live stream on Facebook. Ignition is doing the same on Wednesday evenings. The elders and staff had their meetings this week utilizing an online video conference application called Zoom.

The Membership Class scheduled for Sunday, March 22nd, will take place online by means of Zoom. Everyone who signed up for the class will receive easy-to-follow instructions through the contact information they furnished. The class will start at 3:00 p.m.

Thank you to those who have volunteered to help deliver groceries and prescriptions to those in need. If you have a need for help, please contact one of the staff at the email addresses below or by using their contact information listed in the Simple Church app. During this time of heightened social distancing, the pastors and staff will rarely be in the church offices but will be working from their homes.

A virus can’t stop a vision! Folks from the Chapel continue to collaborate to implement our 2020 Vision–“1030 by 2030.” Just this past week, the Discipleship Team and the Church Planting Team were working. Sadly, the Community Easter Egg Hunt set for April 4th has been cancelled. This was a joint decision by the elders and the Borough of Littlestown. I’m grateful to the Serving Our Community Team who worked hard with much energy and creativity to bring the Egg Hunt to our community. I was really looking forward to that outreach!

I urge you to be alert to ways you can help your neighbors and seek out opportunities to encourage your brothers and sisters in your church family. Call the folks in your Growth Group and pray together over the phone. One upside from the Coronavirus pandemic is that we’re learning that our fellowship and worship are not dependent on a building; we have the opportunity to be much more intentional in caring for and encouraging one another. People in the community are also becoming more aware of their spiritual emptiness and the reality of eternity.

Let’s earnestly pray together for:

• Our church family–you and me–to turn to God in humility, repentance, and trust
• Our friends, family, and neighbors who don’t know the Lord to come to Him in salvation
• Our boldness to witness and open doors to do so
• The spread of the virus to slow and lives to be spared
• The healing of those afflicted physically and economically
• Our leaders, doctors, nurses, first responders, and workers at grocery stores, utilities, and pharmacies
• The parents who are trying to juggle working from home and caring for their children

Please remember to give as you are able. We are cutting unnecessary expenditures, but the costs of running the Chapel go on. Let’s keep the church strong in this season. You can give online by text or the link on the church website, or by mailing a check to the church (1144 Bollinger Road, Littlestown, PA 17340). Thank you to those who took the initiative to do that this week.

Finally, here is the contact information to reach the church staff:

• Pastor Scott Morgan • scott@littlestownchapel.org • 717-226-2999
• Pastor Josh Stratton • josh@littlestownchapel.org • 717-476-0825
• Carlyn Freil • carlyn@littlestownchapel.org
• Dan Davis • dan@littlestownchapel.org
• Vickie Collins • office@littlestownchapel.org
• Jessica Robinson is recovering at home after her recent surgery. Thank you for praying for her.

If you have any questions, ideas, concerns, or prayer requests, please call. By the grace of God and with each other’s help, we will get through this and bring glory to Him. May God bless each of you!

Pastor Scott Morgan