Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I’m sure many of you are aware that yesterday Gov. Pritzker announced that this Friday, October 23, mitigation measures will be implemented in our region to combat an increase in Covid-19 positive testing rates (for announcement, click here). This will include the limiting of all gatherings to 25 people or less.
Since we average over 25 attendees at each of our morning services, last night the elders considered multiple options that would allow us to continue to meet together for worship but still remain in accord with these further restrictions. In order to do so, beginning this Sunday we will offer three worship services at 8:30am, 9:45am, and 11:00am. We request that you contact the church office via phone or email to let us know which service you’ll be regularly attending. Our office administrator Rosa Matos can be reached at (630) 231-8230 or via email at [email protected].
A few other relevant points:
Fellowship Time: We will continue to offer a fellowship time on Sunday mornings, held in the Mission Center following each service. Though we will need to make sure the Mission Center remains at or below the 25 person limit, we still encourage you to attend this time of fellowship following the services.
Bible studies: Our weekly bible studies will continue to meet as usual.
Adult Sunday school: The adult Sunday school will continue to meet, though we will be making an adjustment to our meeting time. We will work together to find the best time for our class and get back to you with the new time shortly.
Women’s Ministry Hinged @ Home Conference: The Hinged @ Home Conference is still scheduled to occur on November 7, 9am-2pm. Cost of participation is $15. Please call or text Amy-Jo Wierenga to reserve your spot.
Your church leadership knows that these accommodations are not easy. Your elders are committed to shepherding Faith Community Church in every way, especially in terms of our church’s vision and goals, congregational care, and our calling to be a people of worship, fellowship, and mercy.
Prayer Requests
Diane Walker: Please continue to pray for Diane Walker, who has returned home and is regaining her strength after an extended stay in the hospital.
Jean Noorlag: Jean remains quarantined in her living situation with strict restrictions imposed to prevent exposure to the virus. Though we are thankful that Jean has remained healthy, please pray for protection and encouragement for her during this time.
This Sunday, our sermon text will be 2 John (only 13 verses long!). Just as we discussed diligence against idolatry in our last sermon, John admonishes us to “Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward” (2 John 8). As the rhetoric and heat of election and pandemic coverage continues to intensify in the next two weeks, as your pastor I urge you to remain focused on our sovereign Lord Jesus, and to let Scripture (rather than news and media) preoccupy your imaginations and your hearts as you seek to faithfully witness to Jesus and the gospel message in the midst of these challenging days.
In Christ,
Pastor Rhett