Dear Hope,
When Martin Luther’s generation was assaulted by The Black Death plague, he wrote these wise words.
I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perhaps inflict and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me, and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above. See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.*
Hope, may we abide in Jesus intimately, listen to authorities honorably, steward the health of our households wisely, care for one another sacrificially and love our neighbors deeply as our Lord and so many have shown us the way faithfully.
Love,
Dean (on behalf of Hope’s leadership team)
Dean Wertz
Lead Pastor | Hope Community Church
* from Luther’s Works, Volume 43, pg 132, counsel on “Whether one may flee from a Deadly Plague” written to Rev. Dr. John Hess