An Announcement from Pastor Bill
Moving Forward;
(Update: The change is that children under the age of 5 will have to stay with their parents during service for now.
Again, this will continue to change as we move forward- thank you so much for your love, grace, and understanding as we all navigate these strange waters together.)
Again, this will continue to change as we move forward- thank you so much for your love, grace, and understanding as we all navigate these strange waters together.)
Hello Saints at Simple Faith CC!
Sorry, this is a little long, but worth the read!
As we continue to move ahead in the midst of this crazy, hurting, and lost world- I wanted to let you know what steps we are taking to move forward as a church of Jesus Christ.
To start, we all remember that the main reason we stopped meeting to begin with was to try and love on those around us and to help “flatten the curve” of those getting sick, so that our hospitals would not be overrun.
The curve flattened, and after two months of being closed, we opened up again. (And for the record, I could never see us closing again- for any reason- as we have seen so many miscalculations and outright lies being told us- such as those who died “with” COVID-19 have been added into the numbers of those who died “from” COVID-19. So much so, we actually have no idea how many have actually died from the disease- along with so many other things...)
May I say this to preface everything… We know that the Corona Virus is real- and to be honest, we have to understand that some within our fellowship will eventually get it- if you haven’t had it already. This virus is here to stay- just like the flu, H1N1, and many other nasty bugs out there- it is not going anywhere. Jesus even told us that there would be more diseases in the Last Days as one of the signs of His coming for the Church.
We are not seeking to temp the Lord, yet- we will no longer disobey Hebrews chapter 10, along with many other Scriptures about being in fellowship and using our spiritual gifts to build one another up- nor will we live in fear.
Thankfully, the numbers now tell us that 99.9% of the people who contract COVID-19 will not die from it- though some of us may… Yet, either way- our God has not given us a Spirit of fear:
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
So, we understand the virus is real- but also understand that our God is completely sovereign- and choose to trust Him above all else. Again, while being as wise as we can and not tempting the Lord.
We are also told in Hebrews chapter 10:
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Note that last part there with me please- the NLT says it this way: especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. We must not forsake the gathering together- especially since we see that these are the days of His return! Thus, we will not do this any more…
Now, for the last month and a half we have practiced pretty radical “social distancing” and are now moving forward again.
Starting Sunday, June the 28th, we will be going back to “normal” church. I personally reject the mantra of the so-called “new normal”- nope, it is time to get back to regular church, with a new and fresh filling of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives and in His church here!
Thus, here is how we will do it from now on:
6pm Prayer meeting.
7pm Worship and Study.
First Wed of the month is Praise and Worship night.
So, for the most part, we are back to normal. Thank you all for your prayers, your patience, and gracious love during these times- and, if Jesus should tarry, I am sure there will be more to come.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us, call us, or even snail mail us!
calvarychapel@simplefaith.org, 360-687-7465, P.O. Box 55, Battle Ground, WA 98604
And remember to be in prayer for one another, our country, and our leadership - and, to be strong and stand:
Eph. 6: 10-13
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Much love to you all in Christ- and may He continue to richly bless and keep you!
Pastor Bill
Sorry, this is a little long, but worth the read!
As we continue to move ahead in the midst of this crazy, hurting, and lost world- I wanted to let you know what steps we are taking to move forward as a church of Jesus Christ.
To start, we all remember that the main reason we stopped meeting to begin with was to try and love on those around us and to help “flatten the curve” of those getting sick, so that our hospitals would not be overrun.
The curve flattened, and after two months of being closed, we opened up again. (And for the record, I could never see us closing again- for any reason- as we have seen so many miscalculations and outright lies being told us- such as those who died “with” COVID-19 have been added into the numbers of those who died “from” COVID-19. So much so, we actually have no idea how many have actually died from the disease- along with so many other things...)
May I say this to preface everything… We know that the Corona Virus is real- and to be honest, we have to understand that some within our fellowship will eventually get it- if you haven’t had it already. This virus is here to stay- just like the flu, H1N1, and many other nasty bugs out there- it is not going anywhere. Jesus even told us that there would be more diseases in the Last Days as one of the signs of His coming for the Church.
We are not seeking to temp the Lord, yet- we will no longer disobey Hebrews chapter 10, along with many other Scriptures about being in fellowship and using our spiritual gifts to build one another up- nor will we live in fear.
Thankfully, the numbers now tell us that 99.9% of the people who contract COVID-19 will not die from it- though some of us may… Yet, either way- our God has not given us a Spirit of fear:
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
So, we understand the virus is real- but also understand that our God is completely sovereign- and choose to trust Him above all else. Again, while being as wise as we can and not tempting the Lord.
We are also told in Hebrews chapter 10:
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Note that last part there with me please- the NLT says it this way: especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. We must not forsake the gathering together- especially since we see that these are the days of His return! Thus, we will not do this any more…
Now, for the last month and a half we have practiced pretty radical “social distancing” and are now moving forward again.
Starting Sunday, June the 28th, we will be going back to “normal” church. I personally reject the mantra of the so-called “new normal”- nope, it is time to get back to regular church, with a new and fresh filling of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives and in His church here!
Thus, here is how we will do it from now on:
- If you or any of your children are sick, even with suspected allergies, PLEASE STAY HOME. (Ushers will still be enforcing this vigilantly.)
- This should be a normal practice any way.
- If you have a random sneeze or cough, and are not sick, please sneeze or cough into your shirt or sleeve. (Again, normal stuff here.) ; )
- Two Sunday morning services again- 9am & 11am.
- Chairs will be back in their normal positions.
- There will be no reservations, sit where you feel most comfortable.
- Children’s Ministry will be up and running.
- We will still have space for those who would like to social distance more just outside under our easy-ups, with a speaker out there to listen to.
- You can also social distance in your car if you like, we will keep transmitting both services live in our parking lot on 91.1 FM.
- Masks are fine, but not required. (We will still have free masks at the door.)
- Hug, don’t hug; fist bump, no fist bump; etc… ALL ARE WELCOME! We love you, as we all navigate through this together in the love of Christ!
- And let’s be loving and sensitive of each other’s feelings and needs with this please. : )
- We will still be wiping down all surfaces in-between and during the services, including in the children’s rooms.
- There will still be extra hand-san stations available. (as always.)
- No food or drink will be offered at church, but you are more than welcome to bring the drink of your choice.
- No bulletins for now.
- No passing of offering bag for now.
6pm Prayer meeting.
7pm Worship and Study.
First Wed of the month is Praise and Worship night.
So, for the most part, we are back to normal. Thank you all for your prayers, your patience, and gracious love during these times- and, if Jesus should tarry, I am sure there will be more to come.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us, call us, or even snail mail us!
calvarychapel@simplefaith.org, 360-687-7465, P.O. Box 55, Battle Ground, WA 98604
And remember to be in prayer for one another, our country, and our leadership - and, to be strong and stand:
Eph. 6: 10-13
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Much love to you all in Christ- and may He continue to richly bless and keep you!
Pastor Bill