Scriptures in a time of fear

The other day I was texting with a member of Veritas and they were asking for some Scriptures and quotes that they could share with their co-workers who were feeling anxious and fearful so I put together a few page document with some relevant scriptures. I thought I would share that document on our blog today. I pray that the words from the Scriptures can bring you peace, comfort and hope in the midst of this time of fear.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

“God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”- Hebrews 13:5

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”- Isaiah 41:10

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”- John 14:27

"in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33b

Romans 15:33 “The God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

Philippians 4:$-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 6:25-33-25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Our Response to COVID-19

Dear Veritas Family,


“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?”  Psalm 27:1

Our Community Groups are currently spending time reading, reflecting, and soaking in the words of the Psalms. The book of Psalms in many places calls us to look to God in times of trouble, to trust in His faithfulness, and seek Him as our rock and refuge. In this time of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety, may we continue to soak in the words of the Psalms and may we put our hope and trust in God.

With that being said, I and our Servants Team want to communicate with you, our Veritas Family, about ways that we are seeking to be strategic and pro-active in relation to the COVID-19 virus.

In response to the dangers and concerns of COVID-19, the Servants Team has adopted the following protocols that will take place beginning Sunday, March 15, 2020:

  • Lysol and Clorox wipes will be used to wipe down surfaces, railings, doorknobs, and bathrooms (before, during, and after worship gatherings). If you are willing to help with this work, please come early to worship or stay late.

  • All greeters and church members are encouraged to utilize elbow bumps over handshakes.

  • Our front door will be propped open to limit contact with door handles.

  • If and when communion is served, it will be individually wrapped, sealed and prepackaged.

  • Travelers from infected areas or other countries should self-quarantine for 14 days.

  • Please stay home if you have a fever or are feeling under the weather.

  • If you have extra hand sanitizer, hand soap, and or paper supplies that you would like to donate to Veritas, please be in touch with Ryan about setting up a time to pick them up, or bring them to our worship gathering.

If a case of COVID-19 would show up in our neighborhood, the School District of Lancaster, a local church, or in a local residential community, we may cancel that Sunday. Continue to cover your coughs, wash your hands, utilize hand sanitizer stations, and if you or your kids are feeling unwell, please stay home.

Please continue to pray for God’s protection, health and shalom for our church, for our families, for our community. We also encourage each of us to take a page from the early Church who saw epidemics as opportunities to share the love of Jesus, and to become the tangible Hands and Feet of Jesus. May we, in this time of COVID-19, be people who seek the welfare and peace of the city.

Here are some additional resources to update you on COVID-19, as well as ways of being the hands and feet of Jesus in this time:


Blessings,
Ryan and the Servants Team


Note: The policies and procedures in this letter may change based on updated information that becomes available.