允確診者上班 伊退伍軍人之家釀33死

新冠疫情導致各醫院醫護人手嚴重短缺,而多個療養中心、老人院屢屢成為疫情熱點,也讓其照護工作人員不足問題惡化,伊利諾州退伍軍人事務廳(Veterans Affairs)的官員日前承認,位於拉謝爾郡(LaSalle County)的退伍軍人護理之家的員工,確診感染新冠病毒後仍繼續工作,導致該設施疫情一發不可收拾,至今已有33名退伍軍人住戶死亡,200多人染疫。

該名官員是在出席伊州眾議會委員會的聽證會,向聯邦美國職業安全與健康管理局(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)說明該退伍軍人之家疫情時,發表了上述言論。

拉謝爾之家在10月31日時,開始有住戶與員工相繼確診到染疫人數暴增,而列入該州疫情爆發區名單,州長普立茲克上周宣布,開除拉該設施的管理者梅爾布拉克(Angela Mehlbrech),並繼續調查疫情爆發的原因。

州退伍軍人事務廳人事主管高貝克(Tony Kolbeck)解釋,該中心的夜班的看護人員不足,不得不允許已經確診員工自願參與值勤,否則確診住戶根本無人照顧。

高貝克說,該中心還允許一名確診的維修清潔工,從不同入口進入設施內工作,他表示,這名該職工有獨立使用的廁所,不會影響設施內其他住戶。

州衛生廳顧問哈爾特(Avery Hart)承認,他依照聯邦疾病控制防中心CDC的方針,在緊急情況下容許確診但無症狀員工繼續工作,他說,這些確診復工的員工負責照顧獨居的確診病患,哈爾特還提到,疫情爆發後,已在該設施和全州多處的退伍軍人之家,施行更多員工訓練和檢查,目前各設施內沒有新感染,表示防疫已見成效。

哈爾特說,州府已經於11月中旬,對該設施完成第一階段調查報告,且對院內的防疫漏洞做出應對,感染情況已獲控制,未來也會繼續要求員工保持高度防疫警覺。

IMMANUEL

12/23—Jesus is IMMANUEL

Praise:  Matt. 1:23: The virgin will  conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,  which means “God with us.”

Praise God for giving Jesus Christ to the world, who is with us through the Holy Spirit until eternity. Halleluiah!

Intercession from Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

May the Lord God live in you (or beloved ___). He is a mighty savior. May He take delight in you (or ___) with gladness. With His love, may He calm all your (his/her) fears. May He rejoice over you (or ___) with joyful songs. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

 

12/23—主耶穌是以馬內利,與我們同在的神

讚美主:馬太福音1:23:「必有童貞女懷孕生子,祂的名字要叫以馬內利,意思是『上帝與我們同在』。」

讚美上帝將主耶穌基督賜給世人,透過聖靈永遠與我們同在。感謝主!

代禱:西番雅書3:17: 你的上帝耶和華與你同在,祂是大能的拯救者,祂必因你而歡喜快樂,歡然歌唱,用祂的愛安慰你。

願以馬內利的上帝與你(或___)同在。主耶穌基督是大能的救主,祂喜悅你、愛你,使你(或___)不再受害怕的轄制。願你(或___)與主耶穌一同唱和祂因你(他/她)而歡喜的樂歌,使你(或___)滿心感謝並愛祂。奉主耶穌基督的名求。阿門。

HOPE BORN FOR ALL

12/22—Jesus is HOPE BORN FOR ALL

Praise:  Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Praise God and let’s sing: Jesus Christ is the Hope of all hopes, dream of our dreams. Praise God for a Child is born for redeeming the world!

Intercession from 1 Peter 1:3-5:Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Let’s proclaim by faith: In God’s great mercy, He has caused you (or ____)  to be born again into a living hope. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

12/22—主耶穌降生為全人類的盼望

讚美主:以賽亞書9:6: 必有一個嬰兒為我們誕生,有一個孩子要賜給我們。祂必統治我們,祂被稱為奇妙的策士、全能的上帝、永存的父、和平的君。

讓我們張口唱出讚美上帝的新歌:主耶穌是全人類最大盼望、最大的夢想。讚美上帝讓主耶穌降生為嬰孩,成為救贖世人的救世主。

代禱:彼得前書1:3-5: 願頌讚歸於我們主耶穌基督的父上帝!祂有無窮的憐憫,藉著耶穌基督從死裡復活使我們獲得重生,有活潑的盼望, 可以承受那不會朽壞、沒有污點、不會衰殘、為你們存留在天上的產業。 你們這些因信而蒙上帝用大能保守的人,必能得到那已經預備好、在末世要顯明的救恩。

奉主耶穌基督的名宣告:因著上帝的大憐憫,祂使你(或___)跨越死亡,重獲新生命,得著永活的盼望,就是主耶穌基督自己。阿門。

 

PRINCE OF PEACE

12/21—Jesus is PRINCE OF PEACE

Praise:  Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Praise God for being zealous of accomplishing His will by sending Jesus Christ to be a lowly servant for giving His life to the sinners, and then being resurrected by Father God to reign over His kingdom with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

Intercession from Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

May God remind you (or beloved___) to guard your (his/her) heart and mind by praying to the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus, with a thankful heart for any worries or requests in every situation so that you (or ___) will not fall into the pit of anxiety or distress. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

 

12/21—主耶穌是平安的君王

讚美主:以賽亞書9:6: 必有一個嬰兒為我們誕生,有一個孩子要賜給我們。祂必統治我們,祂被稱為奇妙的策士、全能的上帝、永存的父、和平的君。

讚美上帝熱切地成就祂的旨意,就是差派主耶穌來,倒空自己成為奴僕,為罪人捨了生命,然後因上帝大能死而復活,以公平公義治理神國,從今時直到永遠。感謝主!

代禱:腓立比書4:6-7: 你們應該一無掛慮,凡事要藉著禱告和祈求,以感恩的心將你們的需要告訴上帝。 這樣,上帝那超越人所能理解的平安必在基督耶穌裡保守你們的心思意念。

願上帝提醒你(或___)在任何時候,都記得將一切憂慮或需求,以感恩的心,來到平安的君王—主耶穌面前禱告交託或尋求,來保守你(他/她)的心,不落入焦慮或愁苦的陷阱裡。奉主耶穌基督的名求。阿門。

Holy

12/20—Jesus is Holy

Praise:  Luke 1:35: The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (Mary). So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Praise God for His law of making everything big from first being small. Praise God for giving His own Son to the world through being born from a God-devoted virgin as a humble little baby by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Intercession from Isaiah 29:22-24: Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob: “No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale. When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding;  those who complain will accept instruction.”

Father God, let ____ see what You do through Jesus Christ on the cross to nail all his/her shame and guilt, and give him/her salvation and forgiveness, healing and blessing so that ___ may give all the honor to the Holy One and stand in awe of You, with a teachable heart to understand the Truth. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

 

12/20—主耶穌是聖潔

讚美主:路加福音1:35: 天使回答說:「聖靈要臨到你(瑪麗亞)身上,至高者的能力要蔭庇你,所以你要生的那聖嬰必稱為上帝的兒子。」

讚美上帝的創造原則,就是成就偉大始於卑微的第一步。感謝上帝以聖靈的大能,使主耶穌透過一個敬畏神的童女,俯就誕生在無名小城的馬槽裡,謙卑地來到世界上,成為要來的救世主。

代禱:以賽亞書29:22-24:因此,關於雅各家,
救贖亞伯拉罕的耶和華說:「雅各的子孫必不再羞愧,
臉上再無懼色。因為他們看見我賜給他們的子孫時,

必尊我的名為聖,必尊雅各的聖者為聖,必敬畏以色列的上帝。
心裡迷惘的必明白真理,發怨言的必欣然受教。」

天父上帝,求您使___看見主耶穌在十字架上已經為他/她釘死除去所有羞愧與罪疚,賜下拯救與原諒、醫治與祝福,使___能榮耀您是聖潔的那一位,滿心敬畏您,欣然受教來明白真理。奉主耶穌基督的名求。阿門。

明州放寬防疫 戶外聚會上限15人、 室內10人

明尼蘇達州州長沃茲(Tim Walz)宣布該州最新防疫規定,即日起允許戶外聚會上限包括三個家庭共15人;室內聚會最多可有兩個家庭共10人;同時健身房的容客率放寬為25%,此外,從1月4日起,重新開放青少年和成人的室內運動;1月18日起,幼稚園到五年級的學生可重返校園上課,不過,餐館堂食未包括在開放限制之列。

沃茲表示,明州在11月20日因疫情告急而收緊多項防疫措施,現階段已見成效,因此他決定即日起放寬防疫規定,但是沃茲對餐廳仍未放鬆限制,室內用餐仍然禁止,只能外賣,戶外用餐客容率則提高到50%,他說,酒吧、餐廳、啤酒屋等的堂食禁令,將至少持續到明年1月11日。

由於當地冬天寒冷,沃茲所簽署的2億1600萬元的協助小商家的紓困方案中,將拿出8800萬元資金直接撥給餐廳、酒吧和健身房。

CBS新聞報導,明州有些商家組成「重啟明州聯盟」(Reopen Minnesota Coalition),超過150個商家堅持開放堂食,但這些商家同時也會遵守防疫規範,例如戴口罩和減少容客率。

沃茲說,主張重開的餐廳只是全州數千個商家中的少數,他相信多數明州人都為了公眾健康而犧牲自我利益,他說,雖體諒這些想重開的商家多半是為了生存,但沃茲主張打敗病毒最為優先,經濟復甦其次。

明州衛生廳廳長梅爾侃(Jan Malcolm)說,幾周前明州新冠確診率為15.3%,目前微幅下跌到12%到13%之間,雖有改善但仍處於高危險狀態。

至於新冠疫苗的接種,該州傳染病中心主管依瑞斯曼(Kris Ehresmann)說,衛生廳將依照免疫防治諮詢委員會(Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices,簡稱ACIP)和疾病防治中心CDC的指示來訓練相關人員,該州已於15日起開始讓首批醫護接種疫苗。

GIFT OF GOD

12/19—Jesus is GIFT OF GOD

Praise:  John 4:10: If you knew the gift of God, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.

Praise God for giving Jesus Christ, as the most precious Gift for our lives. In Him there is living water to quench our thirst in our souls and fill us up with His abundant grace when we ask for Jesus Christ. Thank God!

Intercession from 2 Timothy 1:6: For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

May  you (or____) kindle afresh the gift of God that is in you (him/her) to glorify His Name. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

 

12/19—主耶穌是上帝的恩賜

讚美主:約翰福音4:10: 耶穌回答說:「要是你知道上帝的恩賜,又知道向你要水喝的是誰,你早就求祂了,祂也早就把活水給你了。」

讚美上帝賜下主耶穌基督為世人最寶貴的禮物,當我們向您求得主耶穌自己時,主耶穌的生命活水就解除我們靈魂裡的乾渴,並給予恩典使我們生命豐盛有意義。感謝主!

代禱:提摩太後書1:6: 因此我提醒你,要把上帝在我把手按在你身上時賜給你的恩賜充分發揮出來。

願你(或___)將上帝給你(他/她)的恩賜充分發揮出來,榮耀祂的名。奉主耶穌基督的名求。阿門。

 

芝旅行隔離令今起縮短為10天 「紅州」增12個

根據疾病防治中心CDC公布的防疫方針,芝加哥市府更新旅行命令,從18日起,凡自疫情列為「紅州」進入芝市的民眾的居家隔離天數,將從14天減為10天,芝城並增加了12個新的「紅州」名單,而唯一「降級」的只有愛阿華州,今起該州將列入「橘州」。

芝加哥市府網站指出,包括波多黎各和華府在內,目前有49個州在芝市的旅行隔離令名單上,其中31州列為「紅州」,有17州為「橘州」,唯一「黃州」為夏威夷州,芝市建議民眾避免到紅州和橘州旅行(avoid travel),也最好不要到黃州進行非必要旅行(avoid non-essential travel)。

芝加哥旅行隔離令分成「紅、橘、黃」三色,疫情比芝加哥嚴重為「紅州」,意即每10萬人有60人感染的地區,旅客進入芝城後必須隔離10天。疫情與芝市差不多的列為「橘州」,從橘州抵芝者,可選擇隔離10天或出具72小時內的病毒檢驗陰性證明免隔離,至於疫情緩和的「黃州」,僅需遵守戴口罩、保持距離規定即可。

新增列「紅州」的州別包括:阿拉巴馬、亞利桑納、阿肯色、加州、康乃狄克、德拉瓦、肯塔基、麻州、密西西比、新罕布夏、賓州、田納西,和西維吉尼亞;「橘州」除了降級的愛州外,還新增了緬因和佛蒙特州。

芝衛生局說,旅行民眾即便沒有新冠症狀,仍要在抵達前做病毒檢測,或抵芝後按規定隔離,違規者每天可處100元到500元不等罰款,最多可累計到7000元。

不受旅行限令的情況,則包括因為醫療需要或監護人探訪的行程,或是從事必要行業的商務旅行,如果搭機在芝市過境或開車停留24小時內,或是每日從鄰州抵芝的通勤工作者,均不需要隔離或提供檢測報告。

詳細信息可查詢官網:https://reurl.cc/VXAQ35

FIRST

12/18—Jesus is FIRST

Praise:  Rev. 1:17:When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One.”

Praise God for giving birth to Jesus Christ before the world was formed. Praise Jesus Christ is the First going before us and the Last to accomplish the law for us. Praise Jesus Christ holds all things together and is the living Hope for all the saints for now and forever. Thank God!

Intercession from Colossians 1:18: And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Lord God, may You come to have first place in everything for ____.  May ___ honor You as the Most High, who will fulfill Your purpose for ___. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

12/18—主耶穌是首先的

讚美主:啟示錄1:17-18: 「我一看見祂,便仆倒在祂腳前,像死了一樣。祂把右手按在我身上,說:「不要害怕!我是首先的,我是末後的,我是永活者。我曾經死過,但看啊,我永永遠遠活著。我掌握死亡和陰間的鑰匙。

讚美上帝在創造世界以前,就生出耶穌基督。讚美主耶穌是首先的,要在我們前頭行;是末後的,要為我們成全一切律法的要求。讚美主耶穌維繫萬物,是信主的人今生和永活的盼望。感謝主!

代禱:歌羅西書1:18: 「 祂是教會的頭,教會是祂的身體;祂是源頭,是首先從死裡復活的,這樣祂可以在一切事上居首位。

天父上帝,願您來到___的心中居首位,願___尊崇您為至高神,您就完成您在___生命中的計畫。奉主耶穌基督的名求。阿門。

EXAMPLE

12/17—Jesus is Example

Praise God: 1 Peter 2:21: To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in his steps. 

Praise God for having Jesus suffer for our sins, shame, guilt, wound, and rejection, leaving an example to the saints He called to follow His steps and endure the troubles for His righteousness by the power of His love. Praise the Lord!

Intercession from 1 Timothy 4:12: Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

May you (or beloved ___) abide in God to speak truth in love, act with integrity, love God and people as yourself, and wholeheartedly trust in God so that you (he/she) may be an example for those who believe. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

 

12/17—主耶穌是榜樣

讚美主:彼得前書2:21:「你們蒙召也是為此,因為基督也為你們受過苦,給你們留下榜樣,叫你們可以追隨祂的腳步。

讚美上帝差派主耶穌來擔負世人因罪、羞愧、罪咎、受傷和被拒絕所受的痛苦,給我們塑立榜樣,叫我們也能靠著從祂而來的愛的力量,來為主忍受一切患難。讚美主!

代禱:提摩太前書4:12: 「不要因為年輕而叫人小看你,總要在言語、行為、愛心、信心和純潔各方面做信徒的榜樣。

願你(或___)連於上帝,使你(或___)憑愛心說真理、行為正直、愛主與愛人如己,並全心相信上帝,使你(他/她)成為其他信主的人的好榜樣。奉主耶穌基督的名求。阿門。