Message Of Hope Spread By Collaboration Of Anne Arundel Churches

ANNE ARUNDEL, MD — As Marylanders look toward another week of self isolation and social distancing, it's becoming more and more difficult for some to remain positive and upbeat. People have loved ones risking their health on the front lines facing down the new coronavirus every day. Others are unemployed and worried about how to feed their family.

On Sunday, more than 20 churches across Anne Arundel County will be sharing a united message of hope. The churches are working together to uplift and support their communities during these challenging times. The message "In This Together" focuses on Psalm 23 and church leaders will read Psalm 23 together in a professionally produced video that will be shared with members and others who tune in on Sunday.

Matt Ousdahl, lead pastor at Arundel Christian Church, told Patch that Psalm 23 is "unique" and fitting for today's world.

"Many people, regardless of their connection to a church or to a particular faith, are familiar with the words of comfort and encouragement in the Psalm. It was important that we find a passage of scripture that both reminds of God’s protection in times of difficulty and had a wide-reaching familiarity," Ousdahl said.

While this idea was born at Arundel Christian Church, it takes all of the churches coming together and spreading the word for the mission to have its full impact.

"At Arundel Christian Church, we are seeking to be very creative in our engagement with one another. We are a church made up of smaller LifeGroups that still meet virtually each week. We are also streaming interactive Sunday services where viewers can engage with the teaching by texting in answers to questions and seeing their responses on the screen. It’s live, interactive and fun," Ousdahl told Patch. "Additionally, we have 50 traveling 'You’ve Been Prayed For' yard signs that our church members are placing in each others’ yards after praying over the family—which then get moved by that family to the yard of another family."

Participating churches include:

• Abundant Life Church
• Arundel Christian Church
• Bay Area Community Church
• Chesapeake Christian Fellowship
• The Church at Severn Run
• Faith Baptist Church
• Fresh Start Church
• Glen Burnie Church of the Nazarene
• Grace Community Church
• Heritage Community Church
• Lighthouse Church
• Parkville Church of the Nazarene
• Severn Covenant Church
• Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church

To view Sunday's video and hear the message, visit one of the aforementioned churches online and look for a link to their live broadcast.