God has chosen to scatter us. But He has chosen this and many other ways to have us be renewed in our minds through the teaching of God’s word. The Ladies of New Berean have accepted this opportunity to share with and encourage us during this time of scattering.

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Because we are family, members of the body of Christ (I Cor. 12:12), we have a responsibility to one another. Recently, the Governor of the State of Virginia issued an amendment to Executive Order #67 (Phase Three Further Adjusting of Certain Temporary Restrictions Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). These temporary restrictions are a direct result of the increase in COVID related cases in the state and a plan to minimize the spread of this disease.

Today (Dec. 10th, 2020) the Governor conducted a press conference release further expanding and extending those guideline and restrictions. The concern of the State is the continuance of the increase of COVID positive cases and the seeming lack of adherence to the current guidelines in place. But for our particular responsibility as a church (or place of worship) none of these recent guidelines directly affect New Berean. In brief the Governor issues the next steps:

• Beginning 12/13/2020, at 12:01 am Virginia will begin a “modified stay at home order”. On that day beginning from Midnight to 5:00 am each day until further notice all residents and guests of Virginia are asked to stay at home unless it is to commute to and from work. We are asked to stay at home anyway but in particular these hours which are critical to help curb the spread. Knowing this virus is easily spread from person to person, the most effective way to minimize the spread is to reduce the number of person to person interactions. It is not practical to stay home completely but the idea is, if you don’t have to leave your home, don’t.
• Secondly, masks are expected to worn by everyone if you are outdoors and around other people. Masks are expected to worn by everyone if you are outdoors cannot maintain a minimum distance of six feet. Masks are a key element to reducing the spray produced when talking, coughing or sneezing.
• Social gathering limits have been reduced from 25 before the Thanksgiving holiday to 10. But as it was stated in Executive Order #67, religious services are not restricted to this limit. If you have to meet publicly or in private the limit by this order is no more than ten people.

The expectation behind all these expanded measures is temporary and will be evaluated periodically depending its effectiveness. His thought is the use of “common sense” in adhering to these measures is the most effective way to reduce the positive cases and impact on our state medical facilities.

Again, section B of the Order addresses All Public and In-Private Gatherings. Governor Northam refers to places of worship as “gatherings”.

All public and private in-person gatherings of more than 25 individuals are prohibited. The presence of more than 25 individuals performing functions of their employment or assembled in an educational instructional setting is not a “gathering.” A “gathering” includes, but is not limited to, parties, celebrations, or other social events, whether they occur indoors or outdoors. Individuals may attend religious services of more than 25 people subject to the following requirements:

a. Individuals attending religious services must be at least six feet apart when seated and must practice proper physical distancing at all times. Family members, as defined below, may be seated together.
b. Mark seating and common areas where attendees may congregate in six-foot increments to maintain physical distancing between persons who are not Family members.
c. Any items used to distribute food or beverages must be disposable, used only once and discarded.
d. Practice routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently-contacted surfaces must be conducted prior to and following any religious service.
e. Post signage at the entrance that states that no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 is permitted to participate in the religious service.
f. Post signage to provide public health reminders regarding physical distancing, gatherings, options for high risk individuals, and staying home if sick.
g. Individuals attending religious services must wear cloth face coverings in accordance with Amended Executive Order 63, Order of Public Health Emergency Five.
h. If religious services cannot be conducted in compliance with the above requirements, they must not be held in-person.

If you have any further questions regarding these guidelines, please contact “Bruh” Steven Barnes. But please read the linked documents included below first.

Executive Order #67 – PHASE THREE TIGHTENING OF CERTAIN TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS DUE TO NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Safer at Home : PHASE THREE, GUIDLEINE FOR ALL BUSINESSES SECTORS

And remember when you visit New Berean:

• Wear Your Mask
• Maintain Six-Feet Distancing Between Each Other
• Wash and Cleanse your Hands Often
• And If you are sick or experiencing symptoms such as:
  • Have you been out of your community or state in the last 10 days?
  • Have you or anyone you’ve been contact with been tested for the COVID virus?
  • Have you a cough, fever above 100 degrees F or sore throat, we are going ask you not to enter the building

Community of Faith form The Virginia Department of Health

Faith0Based Organizations – For many faith traditions, gathering together for worship is at the heart of what it means to be a community of faith. However, gatherings present a risk for increasing spread of COVID-19.  More information about stopping the spread of COVID-19 can be found here.  Information specific to child care, K-12 schools, and homeless shelters may also be helpful for some faith-based organizations.

When deciding whether to attend worship services, consider factors that impact the risk of COVID-19 transmission, including: 

• Level of COVID-19 spread in the community: Higher levels of COVID-19 in the community where the gathering will be held or where the attendees are coming from mean that there is a higher risk that someone could be infected with COVID-19.  VDH has developed a dashboard to help make decisions based on data.
• The number of people at the gathering: If there are many people in a space, it may be harder to stay at least 6 feet from others. The risk of COVID-19 spread also increases if there are more people at the event or if they come from many different places.
• Location: Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings, especially when combined with other strategies such as wearing masks and increasing distance between people. Gatherings in large, well-ventilated spaces are safer than gatherings in smaller spaces that are not well-ventilated. 
• Duration: Spending less time with people outside your household is safer than spending longer time.  This may be especially true in indoor environments where people are shouting or singing.
• Behavior of people attending the gathering: If other guests have not been following social distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, and mask recommendations before the event, then there is a greater risk of one of them having COVID-19. If guests at the event are not practicing safe behaviors at the event, then COVID-19 could spread at that event. Certain activities, including chanting and singing, are known to increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.
• Your own ability to wear a mask and risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19 may be important considerations as well. Those at risk for more severe illness should consider alternatives to in-person worship.

Best PracticesPhase Three and Mask GuidelinesInformation about Cleaning and VentilationAdditional Information

Relative Risk Levels for Attending Religious Gatherings:

Lowest risk: Services are only provided in a virtual or online format. 

More risk: Small in-person services are permitted. Outdoor services are prioritized. Individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and do not share objects. No food is served. All persons are encouraged to wear masks (if able). Rigorous cleaning and disinfecting practices are implemented. 

Even more risk: Indoor activities are held. Medium-sized in-person gatherings are adapted to allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart. All persons are encouraged to wear masks.  Sharing items and group meals are discouraged. 

Highest risk: Standard services are resumed. Large in-person gatherings are held indoors where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart. Food is served “potluck” or family style.  Singing, chanting, or other activities that increase respiration is included in the service.  Attendees may not all be wearing masks.

Additional Considerations:

• Singing and playing wind instruments are considered to be high risk activities due to the increased amount of respiratory droplets and aerosols that may contain the COVID-19 virus if a person is infected.  For this reason, singing is not recommended as part of religious services at this time.  Increasing distance between individuals, wearing masks, and increasing ventilation in an area (or singing outside) can help reduce this risk.  VDH’s Guidance for Performing Arts has more recommendations for singing and playing instruments.
• Some religious rituals require the use of shared objects.  This may increase the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 between people, so using individually-wrapped or single-use items are ways to decrease that risk.
• Coffee service or shared meals, like ‘potluck style’ dinners, can increase the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Bringing your own coffee or food or ordering individually-plated meals can help to reduce risk.
• Safer ways to conduct weekly services include drive-in or outdoor services.  Holding multiple small services may allow for greater distancing between each service.  
• Consider suspending social events or additional programming and services until a safer time.  More recommendations about hosting social events can be found here.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides Guidance for Faith-based Organizations here.

If you have ANY specific questions of comments in regards to New Berean, let us know, so we can help.

Eze. 22:30, “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.”

Weekly Devotional: Where does it stop? Where does what stop? Becoming a Kingdom Man. We are always being conformed into the image of Christ. The Kingdom Man is a man of many facets, but ultimately it is that man in time or here on earth who represents the Heavenly Kingdom of God in eternity. And the process of conforming us does not stop until the day we draw our last breath. Then according to the scriptures, we will see Jesus as he is and we will be like him (I John 3:1-3).

In recent months, we have been hit with some incredible challenges due to this pandemic and none of us are exempt. We have had to adjust to some things never before seen in our lifetime.

The Lord God, spoke to the people of Israel through the prophet Ezekiel here in the chapter to explain to them some things. He was not please but rather angry at them for their ungodliness and vile behavior (Eze. 22:1-16). It was because God has a different, higher expectation of his people and Israel not only strayed away but stayed away. Although straying is a reality, failure or missing the mark is inevitable when the word of the Lord is neglected and questioned.

In the end, God went the looking for a man who would represent him in time from eternity and we can be “that guy”. The Lord is in eternity but we are in time. His word provides the blueprints, instructions, precepts and commandments for us to become the complete man of God he desires (II Tim. 3:16-17). God told Joshua his success is going to rest with him being strong, courageous and obedient to his word.

Weekly Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, let your will be done in my life so I may be the man of God you want me to be. Through your word, comfort my heart and remove any anxiety or fear that prevents or hinders me from achieving your agenda through me.

Weekly Meditation: “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. ³ Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. ⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. ⁵ No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. ⁸ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We are compelled by the grace of our heavenly Father to remind you of the hope that lies within you and his grace which was extended to you through our Savior Jesus Christ. Be encouraged by the hope (Rom. 5:3-5) and be comforted with his word to redeem us from the temporary of this world by his coming again (I Thess. 4:13-18) into the eternal.

Our Lord has commanded us build up and edify one another as we see the day approaching (Heb. 10:24-25). This is the comfort we ourselves are comforted with. This year has been one strained and challenging experience and yet we are not done. Pastor Cason share these sentiments in a recent message Encourage One Another reminding us how necessary it is to both be encouraged and encourage others.

As we have spent time with family and friends this past Thanksgiving and will do again during the Christmas holidays, we would like to pass on some much needed information. Our world is still in the midst of the COVID pandemic and the CDC (Holiday Gatherings) has recently issued some helpful guidelines as well as strong concerns and warnings for everyone (highlighted below). We are advised by the word of God to exercise wisdom in all areas of our life (Pro. 1:7, James 1:5). Please take advantage of the information and continue to pray for protection and deliverance for those who are impacted by these things until things change. Your health and safety is of the utmost priority to us and we want you to be adequately informed. The Lord has given us only one body to serve in and we are mandated to do what we can to maintain it as a safe temple of worship (I Cor. 6:19-20).

CDC Guideline for Small Gatherings

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: Psalm 92:1

The “giving of thanks” to the Lord our God really a “no-brainer”. We as Believers in the Lord are going to give thanks even if we have to do it alone. We give thanks because it is right, and it a good thing to do (Ps. 92:1). But as with every other aspect of our public life, the pandemic that has its grip on our world and community has now impacted our personal life.

Due to the rising numbers of positive cases in our local areas (Data Tracker), our Medical community, Local, State and Federal government agencies have issued new restrictions and guidelines for the way we conduct our lives, including the ways we celebrate Thanksgiving. With that in light, we are asking and encouraging everyone to seriously consider adjusting to these recommendations for the sake of everyone’s safety. In Titus 3:1, we are reminded, “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work“. No one is telling us we cannot serve, worship, celebrate or honor the Lord. But we are in a medical pandemic situation which requires us to make some changes to help curve the transmission of the disease. We all have been personally impacted by this disease and too recommend you be wise in minimizing contacts with family and friends we are not used to.

Even if you cannot, use the information and recommendations provided for you in the link below to help plan out your family functions and festivities. Thank you and continue to give thank to the Lord, for he is good and his mercy is everlasting.

This is Open to the Public!!!!!
Are you a City of Norfolk renter or homeowner behind on your rent or mortgage and/or utility bills due to a COVID-19 pandemic related loss of income?
Apply for COVID-19 Housing Costs Relief Program by Wed. Nov. 25th 8 pm. at www.NRHA.us
Applicants must have filed a 2019 Federal Tax Return and must have loss income due to COVID-19 since March 12, 2020.
Up to 6 months of rent mortgage or utility payments, and housing/rental counseling on how to keep your residence.
If you have questions call 757-314-1638 (Ms. Parker)

via Sister Wanda Griffin

The body of Christ is comprised of people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It is the Church that Jesus spoke of to Peter and the other disciples (Matt. 16:18) The church body is a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place. An assembly of people with defined singular purpose which is continue carrying out the “The Great Commission” (Matt. 28:18-20).

At these challenging times, we at New Berean are being asked to re-examine our approach to ministering to one another. We are not being asked to change the message of ministering to one another but consider evaluating and changing how we share that message.

By default we all are members Team Berea. Every member of New Berean is in a unique position to be properly placed in the assembly to serve in the ministry. Team Berea the ministry of every person ministering to someone else. Having all things common (Acts 4:32) is a goal of the Lord for his children. It is identifying both the commonality and contrasts we share and do those things necessary to effectively minister to one another as the body was originally designed (Rom. 12:1-5, I Cor. 12:11-13). In operating in our various roles, utilizing the gifts given by the Holy Spirit and serving with a divine purpose in mind we are able to meet the needs of everyone and mature together as the Lord planned.

Team Sharing

Team Berea, working together will help us know how much we really do have in common, exhorting one another and glorifying the Lord. With the new challenges in front of us, we are collaborating our gifts and talents to minister and use the creativity God has blessed us for the purpose of edifying the body as a whole (Eph. 4:11-16).

For more information or to express your interest, reply back to the corresponding text message (757-280-4582) or contact Brother Steve Barnes (635-1911) and we’ll share more with you. Looking forward to hear from you.

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” I Thess. 5:11

The Bible has declared we all who have been saved have been “saved unto good works” Eph. 2:10. The good works we goo are deigned and intended to ultimately glory God and build up someone else in their faith. There is no greater time than today to encourage someone. Be encouraged in being obedient in being an encourager

Encourage One Another by Pastor DeWayne Cason

Team Berea