Beginning on Sunday, August 27, we are changing the Sunday morning schedule. Sunday School will now start at 9 AM, and the worship service will start at 10:30AM. We believe this will enable us to be more effective in our discipleship, fellowship and worship.
Discipleship: With a Sunday school time of 9-10am, we are able to provide a full, unhurried hour of discipling opportunities. While we currently schedule an hour of Sunday school each week, practically speaking it’s usually 30-40 minutes. By spreading out the end of Sunday school and the beginning of the worship service, we will be able to focus more fully on our study and application of the Word of God to our lives.
Fellowship: With a “break” in the schedule from 10-10:30, we are able to offer a time of “purposefully unstructured” fellowship to the congregation. This provides time for those who attended Sunday school and those who are arriving for worship to visit together prior to the start of the worship service. This is separate from the regular fellowship receptions we offer, since with the earlier start time for worship, there will be ample opportunity for the receptions after the service without feeling like we need to dash off to lunch.
Worship: One of the challenges we face every Sunday is the transition from Sunday school to worship.Many of those attending Sunday school are also involved in leading the service, and often the transition is rushed and harried.By starting the service at 10:30, those who need to prepare for worship are able to do so without missing out on Sunday School and without feeling rushed. This also provides a better opportunity for us to be fully present in worship, knowing that the service will end earlier, leaving us with the sense that most of the day is still available to them.The service itself will also feel less harried as a result.
Sometimes when we settle into a routine, it becomes comfortable. This change provides us with an opportunity to think intentionally about the rhythms of how they seek to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). There are a lot of things in our lives that “compete” with Sundays — such as chores, sports, family gatherings, and the always important Sunday nap. Nevertheless, Sunday is meant to be given to the Lord and to worshipping Him first and foremost. Please let us know if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing you at 10:30am for worship on August 27!
Good afternoon, Folks,
On Tuesday, the Session met to discuss our plans for Phase 1 of Virginia’s ‘Forward Virginia’ reopening plans. Up to this point, we have been limited to no more than 10 people at any gathering and, out of an abundance of caution and a desire to follow the guidance from the VDH and CDC, we have postponed all ministries. Since we have 8-9 people leading worship each Sunday, we’ve asked that no one else attend.
As of today, the 10 person limit has been lifted and so, if you greatly desire to do so and believe it is safe for you, the sanctuary is open for folks to join us on Sunday mornings. However, we believe it best to err on the side of caution at this time and are encouraging folks to join us on Facebook Live for worship, especially if you are in an at-risk category or are experiencing cold symptoms. Sunday school, women’s circles, children’s and youth ministries continue to be suspended at this time.
To summarize:
The Session will continue to monitor the situation and will make plans as we learn more about Phases 2 & 3. As always, we welcome your feedback and invite you to email me or the elders. Particularly if you have need, please let us know how we can be of help and pray for you during this ongoing season.
We miss seeing you very much, but want to be prudent and wise in how we move forward.
Blessings,
Rev. David Garrison, and the Session of NEPC
March 18, 2020
Dear Friends,
We are in unprecedented times, being forced into new patterns of being that feel unnatural and strange, but are ever so necessary in order to “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of this pandemic. The rhythm and flow of our “normal” lives has been completely disrupted, and we’re just beginning to experience what this is going to be like. It’s hard, it’s scary, and it’s frightening. What are we to do? Well, there are a few answers to that, which I’d like to share with you today.
Be wise and prudent, but not fearful. We can take the novel coronavirus seriously and apply appropriate social distancing and good hygiene without falling into fear. I encourage you to follow the guidelines issued by the CDC and the federal and state governments. Wash your hands often, don’t touch your face, stay 6’ away from others, and avoid large group gatherings. But even with those efforts you might contract the virus. Whether you do or not, you are always in Jesus’ hands. He is present with us in our isolation, our quarantines and even more in our illnesses. He is already and will continue to watch over each one of us. We need not fear for our present or future, because Jesus is already there.
Both Scripture (Romans 13:1) and our confession (Westminster 23.4) command us to submit to civil authorities, and while (at the time of the writing of this letter) no law has been issued barring us from gathering for worship, we do believe that it is our civic responsibility to comply, as best as possible, with their recommendations to slow the spread of this virus. To that end, we have cancelled all ministries and missions outside of worship. This includes Sunday school, Bible studies, women’s circles, and youth group. We are also moving the focus of our worship service to online streaming. As long as you have an internet-connected device (cell phone, TV, computer, iPad, etc), you can join us for worship. Simply go to www.facebook.com/npcmh at 11am on Sunday morning, and you’ll see the livestream there (you do not need a Facebook account to see the service). We will publish the bulletin online so you can follow along. We’ll send more information about how this works on different devices in a few days. In addition, the Sanctuary will still be open if you would like to be present with us, but we encourage folks to sit 6’ apart. But let me re-emphasize: If you are in the higher-risk categories for COVID-19, please do not put yourself at risk by going out. Also, if you have been reading for B90, by all means keep it up! While our discussion groups won’t be meeting, we’ll email you online videos and tools.
The Work of the Church goes on
In the midst of this, we are still hard at work serving you and our community. Our programs might be temporarily cancelled, but the work of the church is more than a program or ministry. Please continue giving. Our community needs the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ now more than ever. Send your tithes and offerings in weekly. If you find yourself quarantined and unable to go to the store or need help, please let us know. Look for ways to to love your neighbor, old or young. Invite a neighbor to join your family for worship in your living room (but practice appropriate social distancing). Call one another and check in to see how folks are doing. And when you hear of a need or concern, please let us know. In the midst of this terrible situation, we have an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus for each other and our neighbors in ways we’d never dreamed.
The Church has faced pandemics like this time and again throughout history. While we don’t know how long this will last, we know that it too shall pass and look forward to the time when we can worship and be together in person. Until then, be wise and prudent. Practice good hygiene, appropriate social distancing, and the guidance of our governing authorities. Help where you are able. And above and beyond all else, pray. For we are all in God’s hands, and we should earnestly pray for his mercy to bring an end to this pestilence both here and abroad.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. David Garrison
