Fellow NCers!

As I said in the video, we are suspending all our in-person worship services between now and April 6th. In addition, our facilities will be closed to the public. At New Covenant we are for our neighbors, and during a time like this, meeting in person in a large group setting doesn’t have our neighbors’ best interest at heart. So, we believe the most compassionate thing we can do right now is to encourage you through our services online each Sunday at 11:15a. You can view those services through our website, churchon75.com or on the New Covenant App.

The Coronavirus is serious, but it’s more than a crisis, it’s an opportunity. With our kids home from school and many places closed, make the most of the extra time you’ll have to enjoy your family and strengthen your relationships.

It’s also an opportunity to care for your neighbors. Knock on your neighbors’ doors, check in on them, and see if they need anything (if they are running low on toilet paper, you may just make a friend for life!). Maybe you could offer to watch their children if they need to work. Let’s make the most of this opportunity to encourage one another.

Lastly, it’s an opportunity for us to BE the church instead of just going to church. Our community needs the Body of Christ to be the hands and feet of Jesus now more than ever. What an opportunity! You will be hearing more from us at New Covenant this Sunday about our plans to collect non-perishable food items to deliver to families in need, including the elderly and shut-ins. This crisis is an opportunity to move the mission of Jesus forward. So please continue to give freely and faithfully to the work of New Covenant Church as we point people to Jesus in uncertain times. During a time when many ministries are concerned that their support will struggle, how awesome would it be if ours actually increased?! I believe it can happen! You can give online, through the app, or in the mail.

One final thought for now, don’t just watch the livestream of our services alone; invite some friends from church or even your neighborhood to come over and watch it together. We can’t meet in large groups right now, but we can use this as an opportunity to gather in smaller groups to encourage one another, pray together, and find hope in God’s Word. As we do, we will discover that life truly is better in circles than in rows.

Thank you for choosing to see the opportunities in this crisis. Let’s do what Isaiah 35:4 inspires us to do, “Tell everyone who is discouraged, “Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue…” Let’s make it a point to do that together as a church in the coming weeks - to tell everyone who is discouraged, “Don’t’ be afraid, God is coming to your rescue!” Then be the rescue!

Love you guys,
Pastor Barry

Oh ya, and call me if you need anything - 616.788.0433