Hope (Redlands) PRC’s outdoor worship
This article documents Hope PRC's first outdoor corporate worship service in July 2020, held in response to California's COVID-19 restrictions on indoor gatherings. The account reflects on how the congregation balanced obedience to civil government with their calling to worship God corporately, drawing theological parallels to Israel's post-captivity worship in Ezra 3, and demonstrates God's providence in enabling faithful worship despite unprecedented circumstances.
The occasion for this outdoor worship service was the executive order of the Governor of California, prohibiting all indoor religious services due to recent increase in COVID-19 cases statewide. In light of this order, the church council made the decision to worship together outdoors, for this would enable the congregation both to worship God corporately on the Sabbath as He commands and to obey the civil government at the same time. So on July 19, the members of Hope PRC gathered together for...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org