Coronavirus: Preparing for Disruption

June/July Update

In this video, Pastor Jay explains our plans for worshipping together for the months of June and July. In summary:

  • This Sunday for Father’s Day will be PARKING LOT, weather permitting. Online Only in the event of rain.
  • Future services will be PARKING LOT ONLY until August 2nd. (8/2/2020 is a tentative date, subject to the progress of COVID 19) In these services, we will resume our Kids Church 4-7 years old outside.
  • ALL “Rain Days” will be LIVE STREAM only until we’re successfully back in our building.
  • After returning to the building in August (Lord willing) we will have a careful plan for social distancing and sanitizing.
  • Pray for us as we seek God’s direction!

Dear Friends,

(Last updated 3/18/2020)

As you know, we have been following the lead of governmental authorities regarding large gatherings. The CDC is now recommending no gatherings larger than 10 people.

For that reason, we have canceled all in-person services and events and will be streaming our services and studies on Facebook Live beginning Wednesday, 3/18/2020. This will remain in effect until large group gatherings are cleared by the CDC and government officials for our area.

STAY CONNECTED:

While our community is separated to stop the spread of Coronavirus, we’ll use simple tools like live streaming and social media to strengthen our connections and deepen our faith… together! 

Please join Facebook if you don’t already have an account, even if temporary. This is the best method for us of staying connected as a whole church family during this season. https://www.facebook.com

  • Wednesday 7PM Livestream:
    • Weekly we’ll use social media to study the Bible and discuss how to live it out in our own journey. Invite a family to join you, and share with a friend.
    • https://www.facebook.com/mypentecost
  • Sunday 10AM Livestream:
    • Life is better together! While we reduce our gathering sizes, let’s increase our relationships. Invite a friend or family to join you for worship in your home.
    • https://www.facebook.com/mypentecost
  • Social Media eFamily Facebook Group

TAKE ACTION: https://www.mypentecost.live

We were made to make a difference! In times like this, needs grow – but so can our impact. Take advantage of powerful opportunities to serve, grow, and give, and let’s move life forward… together!

  • Volunteer
    • Church and Community
      Take a Prayer Walk, deliver groceries and medicine to shut-ins, prepare meals for the sick, make encouraging calls, and be prepared to help in our City’s efforts.
  • Join a Growth Group
    • We’re Better Together
      As meeting size limits increase, we’ll use in-person gatherings to strengthen relationships. Until then, Growth Groups will enable everyone to be cared for and known.
  • Be Generous
    • Your Giving Makes a Difference
      During uncertain times, financial generosity keeps the church thriving, and advances its mission of reaching the world with Jesus’ love.
  • Stay Safe
    • Follow CDC Health Guideines
      1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
      2. Avoid touching face with unwashed hands.
      3. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

We take the health and safety of our church family very seriously and want to remind you that precautionary measures are being taken in our facilities, and should continue to be taken at home. For more guidance, please follow the CDC website. (http://cdc.gov)

Remember that we have online giving at http://mypentecost.com/give and your continued contributions will help keep the church stable through this season.

We’re committed to making the Pentecostals a safe place for everyone and are staying up to date with current news about the virus.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

 

Immediate Steps

  • The first thing to know is that we do not have to fear. God is with us and we are confident in His provision, even in the midst of uncertainty.
  • That being said, we will take steps to preserve a sense of normalcy in our church community, even in times when we might be physically separated from each other for a time period.
  • You may have noticed the addition of extra hand sanitizing bottles around the church (restrooms, classrooms, kitchen, etc.), along with our regular hand sanitizing stations (dining hall and sanctuary). These in combination with good hand-washing using our anti-bacterial soap can go a long way to stopping the spread of disease. Please use these regularly.
  • If you’re not already, please familiarize yourself with our online giving page. In the past, we would not have survived financially as a church more than one month without meeting. Today, we can survive due to giving technology that allows you to give digitally, even in the event of illness or absence.
  • Our “mypentecost.live” page is updated regularly to keep you in the loop on things happening within the church. Please visit it today and frequently to stay plugged in.
  • If you have had a fever or have been ill within the past 24 hours – PLEASE stay at home. You can always join our Sunday 10am service live remotely at http://live.mypentecost.com

Steps During a Service Disruption

Should an outbreak occur in Michigan and we be forced to or given the option to voluntarily quarantine we will implement the following strategy:

  • Live streaming – In the event that we’re unable to meet for services, we will utilize technology like Facebook to stream live teaching and preaching.
  • Workplace – For team meetings, we will use our Workplace platform, including video conferencing, chat, and posts.
  • Text SMS is a crucial system to supplement our email & social media communications.
  • Facebook & Chat Groups – are a great way to communicate things in a more private venue than posting on social media. These will be crucial to keeping in contact with one another.
  • FaceTime/Google Hangouts – are free tools that can be used to facilitate smaller group/mentoring meetings.
  • Volunteer Preparation – in the event of a full pandemic flu, our national and local infrastructure may be jeopardized. We could potentially be called upon by our city to have volunteers serve the homebound.
  • If Outbreak Occurs – Be Prepared for an Extended Home Stay: Families will need their own communication plans and two-week stockpiles of water, non-perishable food, prescription medicines, first aid supplies, pet food, personal protective equipment. The Red Cross has prepared an excellent personal preparation plan here.

Again, there is no reason to panic or fear. We simply want to be prepared personally and as a church, and be available to render aid to our community in a time of need.

We plan to continue our weekly services but are monitoring the situation and following recommendations from federal, state, and local government agencies. If and when we need to make a decision on services, we will make that call based on our direct authorities who are knowledgeable and trained to deal with this sort of situation. The media will not be a priority in our decision process.

Church, we do not believe there is any reason to panic or make any immediate choices to shift our focus in gatherings at homes or at our campuses. If there comes a time where this concern needs to grow and we must make a move, we will let you know.

I know this can be an anxious time for our community, and with so many people feeling the threat of the Coronavirus, I want to encourage you not to allow fear to overcome your feeling of security and safety. We have a unique opportunity to lean on God and trust His sovereignty and care over us as we navigate each and every threat, which would drive fear into our hearts. Instead, find hope in these verses as you navigate these waters:

  • Psalm 91:5-7 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
  • Psalm 91:10-11 No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
  • Luke 12:25-26 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
  • John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
  • John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
  • 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.

I love you, and I love being your pastor. Let’s continue to introduce people to Jesus, be a refuge for the broken, and to move life forward!

-Pastor Jay