Psalm 133

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever.”

As I sit here along with many of you, recovering from the latest incarnation of this coronavirus, I am literally REJOICING at the reports I am hearing. Despite several of us testing positive & dozens of others showing symptoms, what a blessing & a joy it is to witness the love, care & concern that you all have shown for one another during this historic crisis! None of us would necessarily have chosen to experience these hardships, yet I am so thankful to be a part of a body that is committed to truly walking in the grace & humility to which the Lord has called us.

It is particularly encouraging to see the connections that are being made through our PLCC Life-Groups – it is an answer to prayer & it PRECISELY how they are intended to function. During this time in which we are prevented from gathering at the church building or for any other church group meetings, it is comforting to know that people are not isolated from their church body. Some Life-Groups are praying daily at specified times as they share of their physical needs & prayer concerns. Others have joined in live group chats and are praying for one another through the Group-Me app. There are multiple options & it doesn’t make any sense to be disconnected from one another during this pandemic. 

If you have not yet connected with one of the PLCC Life-Groups in recent months, it’s not too late to do so, and this is as good a time as any! Please reach out to one of the Life-Group facilitators listed below (or reach out to me & Eric) in order to get connected, pray for one another or share what’s going on in your current experience. We would count it a privilege to pray for you, connect you to other members or look for ways to help & serve any & all who are in need at this time – just let us know how you’re doing & how we can help.

 “How good & pleasant it is” indeed – connect to life TODAY! 

Long Beach: Mike & Heather Leonetti

(516) 661-0769

Point Lookout: Kevin & Eileen Heneghan

(914) 318-2259

Baldwin: Brandon & Kathy Kemper

(516) 580-1826 / 323-9324

Eric Torsten

(516) 642-1444

Joel Beasley

(516) 710-0517

PS   We will have no service this Sunday, 3/29, but we hope to connect at some point via live-stream or recorded message.. stay tuned! 

“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. The very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear – you are more valuable than many sparrows”

In this season of crisis and national emergency, we are all being challenged. Some within our congregation have been diagnosed with strep throat & influenza. Others with pneumonia and some with the latest coronavirus – entire families & households being affected. Still others of us are awaiting test results while under quarantine as the entire state of New York is under a directive from the governor to ‘hunker down’. We must remember that NONE of this happens apart from the loving and watchful eye of our Heavenly Father. Straight from the Savior Himself – from Jesus’ lips to our ears: Your Father is with you! Your Father is intimately familiar with you and you are highly valued by Him! Don’t dare entertain the thought that any challenge you face escapes His notice for even a moment. It does not. 

As the Father is with us, so we are called to be with each other. Regardless of what you are experiencing in this hour, please know that you are not alone. This is the time for us to rise up as best we are able under the circumstances, to support one another, particularly any and all who are being physically affected by this crisis. 

If you are affected or in need & would like prayer or assistance, please REACH OUT to us by phone or Facebook message. Our commitment to you is that we will work to help connect people in need with resources and / or helpers who will prayerfully respond. Options are limited, due to certain NYS directives at this time, but our Heavenly Father’s resources are NOT limited! We will call on the God of all Comfort as we join our faith together & look for ways & opportunities to address any need that arises. 

We are being called as individuals to commit to pray more than ever in this season & to pray for one another in particular. It would be easy to become distracted with the ‘news of the day’ or be drawn into the fear & hysteria surrounding the turmoil. But we are not of those who ‘shrink back’; we are those who have faith to the ‘saving of the soul’! Let us commit, by God’s grace, to renew our resolve to give thanks in everything and pray without ceasing, amen?!

These are perilous times we are in… but we are in them together! May the Lord bless and keep you each – praying for you all…

Pastor Joel

PLCC Office: (516)432-5990

Eric Torsten: (516)642-1444