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​​CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

 

March 20, 2020

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In light of the Pennsylvania statewide mitigation efforts put into effect by Governor Tom Wolf to halt the spread of COVID-19, and the strong recommendation that gatherings of 10 or more people be suspended, all worship services and events, including the School of Ministry, at First Pentecostal  facilities are cancelled until further notice. 

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Members are encouraged to continue their financial support of the church with their tithes and offerings, which can be  sent by U.S. mail or via the Paypal option on the church's website, www.fphcchester.org.  Another convenient option is the bill payer service offered by many banks.

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Our Pastor encourages each of us to meditate on Psalm 91 as we continue to pray to our all-knowing, all-seeing and merciful God for those who are ill with the virus or otherwise affected by it, and for wisdom and direction for ourselves and our leaders as we face this crisis in the days ahead.  

 

We will continue to provide updates as events unfold.

 

 

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OUR RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

A Message from Our Pastor, Elder Vernadine Ellis

March 14, 2020

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Dear First Pentecostal Church Family and Visitors,

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I’ve been closely monitoring reports concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19), and I wanted to address this situation and give some guidance as to how we as a church family will handle this.  First of all, your health, safety and well-being is of paramount concern. While cases of infections are rapidly rising globally, and in light of the numerous confirmed cases in the Tri-State area, we want to maintain a safe worship environment and encourage everyone to follow guidelines and procedures set forth by health professionals to ensure total safety.   While we are people of faith and trust God for our ultimate protection, we will continue to have our normally scheduled worship services.  However, we recognize that God is calling us to operate with compassion and wisdom, and we feel it necessary to take precautions to mitigate the spread of germs and create a safe and healthy environment for us all to gather and worship.

  

Therefore, throughout this time of uncertainty, we encourage you to follow the guidelines provided by health officials to maintain the safety of yourself and others:

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• If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age (65 or older) or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extremely important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease.   You should strictly follow the guidelines of the CDC, which include social distancing to reduce your probability of contact with someone who is carrying the infection.
   

• If you are feeling under the weather or running a fever, the best way you can love your neighbor is by staying home.  Seek medical treatment if you have any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19.
   

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.  Rub your hands, inside of your palms and scrub the outside of your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
   

• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve.
   

• Limit and/or avoid touching others.  At First Pentecostal, we are a welcoming, touchy-feely culture.  During this time we ask that you replace hugs and kisses with waves or other forms of greeting which do not require touching.
   

For your safety, we are committed to thoroughly cleaning the church between services, wiping down all surfaces and touch points.  We are also making hand sanitizer more readily available at the entry points of the church and throughout the building.

We will continue to monitor reports regarding COVID-19 and will adjust our plans accordingly, if necessary, as events unfold.   Let us continue to pray for our church family, our community, our nation and the entire world during this time of crisis. 

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