UPDATES!

To see the updated guidelines from the state of Colorado as of June 4, 2020,
for places of worship, CLICK HERE

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020, UPDATE
 
What are the Pastors doing during this time?
We pastors have received emails and texts from people praying for us and offering wonderful encouragement as “essential workers” during the quarantine. Compared to healthcare workers and first responders, I’m not sure how essential we feel, but people’s need for spiritual
guidance and pastoral care has not slowed down just because we’re separated. We wanted to give you an update about our activities and how our roles are shifting during this time. We are all actively reaching out to as many people as we can to check in and provide any care we can. In addition to those shared shepherding duties…
Pastor Jeff is still preaching, leading music, and recording content for a podcast teaching through the book of Romans. He is going to just as many meetings as before, but now they’re Zoom meetings. In fact, he was just on a video conference recording with our EFCA President, Kevin Kompelin, which will go out to all EFCA pastors worldwide, talking about how churches are managing this crisis.
Pastor Mike is still leading music and preaching occasionally. He has taken on the bulk of the video editing and production duties for us to be an online church. He’s also writing a daily devotional that is going out via email to the music team and on his blog (pastormikesmusings.wordpress.com). While continuing to oversee our music programming and ministry teams, he is moving into more of a Teaching and Theology pastoral role.
Pastor Matt is leading our new Love Your Neighbor campaign, organizing and mobilizing volunteers to better serve our neighborhoods and “the least of these” during this time. He’s recorded videos for our Elements Class, and is working closely with the trustees on facility needs and upgrades while the building is empty. Since coming back from Sandstone, Matt is focusing on being a Pastor of Connections.
Pastor Ben is completing the work on the upstairs youth ministry space called, “The Loft”. He is putting live teaching up on the YouTube page for students, and hosting Wednesday night online youth group. He has also become invaluable in helping the inner organizational workings of the
church run smoothly. With Brenda’s retirement, much of the operations she oversaw has landed on his plate, and he’s excelling at taking on more of an Operations pastoral role.
Pastor James has recorded kids’ worship services for the YouTube page and is providing curriculum for parents via mail to lead their kids through from home. This time of shut-down has also given James the chance to renovate, paint, and organize the children’s ministry area,
consolidating two campuses worth of equipment down to one. He is working hard at being a great Children and Families Pastor.
Of course, none of this is really possible without Alisa Pene, our office manager. She is invaluable and keeps us all in line and in good spirits. We have a wonderful team, and we are so thankful that we get to serve you all together.
 
What can YOU do during this time?
PRAY
Prayer is the primary way that things happen in the Kingdom of God. This is a time when most everything else has been stripped away, but prayer is still available. So take some time to pray today for leaders: governmental, scientific, pastoral, and anyone else who is bearing responsibility in a crazy time. Pray for the vulnerable: shut-ins, homeless, those with compromised immune systems, and those without jobs. Pray that God would show mercy on the world and end this pandemic. Pray that God’s people would be merciful and humble in how we handle the time off and when it’s time to start things up again.
SPREAD ENCOURAGEMENT
Find someone you can bless today. Send an email. Make a phone call. Let kindness and encouragement spread faster than any virus. Pass along a link to our Easter service to a non-believing friend. As saints, you are already equipped with everything you need to share and demonstrate the Gospel with those around you. Make today about someone else you can encourage.
STAY CONNECTED
Whether it’s following stuff on YouTube or helping with a ministry, try to stay connected with the church. Don’t stop worshiping through participation, study, and tithes and offerings. Give online or mail in a check. Have a small group meeting online. Don’t be out of sight and out of
mind. The day will come when we reconvene and it will be quite a celebration. It’s okay to long for that.
STAY POSITIVE
Fear is not a value of the Kingdom. God is still in control and knows exactly how to redeem all of this. Let the Holy Spirit do the work He wants to do during this time and let His fruit be borne in your life. May you be full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law (or quarantine). 🙂 
 
Much grace to you all,
Pastor Jeff Foote (on behalf of all the pastors)

March 19

Greetings to the saints at Grace Church, Longmont. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is with humility that the elders write to you about our decision on whether or not to temporarily close the doors at Grace Church on Sunday mornings. This process involved prayer, search of Scripture, recommendations from leaders, and recommendations from medical professionals. Even with a united heart to do what was right in order to honor God and love one another, the decision was not straightforward.

Romans 13 instructs us to be subject to the governing authorities; Hebrews 10 reminds us to not neglect meeting together; Philippians 2 directs us to look not only to our own interests, but also the interests of others. While Scripture is sufficient for all of our needs, it does not speak directly on all topics. We want to recognize this, and encourage our body to show grace to one another – as there are most likely differences of opinion. We, the elders and pastors, also desire to faithfully fulfill our call to lead and shepherd the congregation.

With all of this in mind, the elders have decided on the following.

  • ● We believe wisdom dictates that we not meet as a congregation on Sunday, March 22 or Sunday, March 29.
  • ● We encourage all members to worship via the live stream broadcast at 10:00 on these two Sundays.
  • ● We continue to value relational connections, and therefore, we encourage members to be in contact with one another. Connect, encourage, pray, laugh, serve.
  • ● We encourage you to pray for God’s mercy to bring a swift end to this situation.
  • ● We look forward to joining together to worship and celebrate as soon as is possible and wise.
  • ● The elders will meet again near the end of the month to determine the next steps for Grace Church.
  •  
  • In love,
  •  
  • The elders of Grace Church

March 13
A Note from Pastor Jeff regarding COVID-19
 
With the heightened awareness and deep public concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, I want to let you know that we are carefully monitoring the situation, CDC updates, as well as city and state responses and recommendations.
Here is where Grace Church is at, as of March 13th:
 
1) Services and Programs
 
We will be joining together for worship at our regularly scheduled services, with all Sunday morning ministries available. If you are concerned for your health or possibly spreading a contagion, we encourage you to stay home until this season passes.
 
Following the lead of our local school district, we are suspending all extracurricular (non-Sunday worship) activities for the remainder of March. This includes Student Ministry, AWANA, Women of Grace, 50+ Luncheon, Choir and other meetings with medium to large-sized groups attending. We intend to start them back up as soon as possible.
 
Normal board meetings and smaller group gatherings are still scheduled, the pastoral staff is still available, and the church offices will remain open. Henry Blendermann’s memorial service is still happening at 11:00 on Saturday, March 14th. Also at this time directory photos are still being taken at your scheduled time starting next week.
 
2) FEAR NOT.
 
As I have said from the pulpit many times, a major goal in ministry for me is to help Christians not be afraid. So much of the situation globally is one of panic right now, and we as Christians are not called to panic. In fact, one of God’s favorite phrases to use when He interacts with people in scripture is, “Fear not.” I was reminded today of Jesus’ words in John 16 regarding His departure and the scattering of His disciples: “I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”
 
3) BE SMART.
 
While we are committed to moving forward without fear, we are also committed to moving forward with wisdom and compassion. To that end, around the building, we have added practical measures of cleanliness and care. We are committed to being as proactive as possible to create safe and clean environments for us to worship in. All common areas are being extra cleaned and disinfected, especially our Children Ministry and Youth Ministry spaces. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the building. We will not be passing any plates, so please remember to put your offerings in the offering towers at the back of the sanctuary. Our next communion is scheduled for April 5th. We are working on solutions for that.
 
4) If you choose to attend on Sundays, here’s some of what you can do:
 
  • Greet one another with a smile and a hello; no handshakes or holy kisses.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds—about how long it takes to sing the ABCs or the chorus of How Great Thou Art.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Don’t steal the church’s toilet paper. 🙂
  • Limit contact with those who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth (or anyone else’s).
  • Be understanding and supportive when others need to stay home.
5) If you choose to stay home, here’s some of what you can do:
 
  • We will be live-streaming the 10:00 AM service beginning this week. You can join us online for that and subscribe at the NEW Grace Church YouTube Channel.
 
  • Reach out to members of your small group, the pastors, or anyone you might know in the church via email or phone calls/texts to stay as connected as you can. Don’t be out of sight and out of mind.
 
 
6) BE PATIENT.
 
This season is in God’s control, and He will work it out. I am confident it will pass, and we will find a healthy rhythm and routine as a church soon. Until then, stay patient and gracious. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you need help or to reach out and give help. We are the body of Christ; He takes care of us, and we take care of each other.
 
7) PRAY.
 
I want to especially encourage you to pray for the parts of the world that have been hit particularly hard by this virus, and that God would lead researchers to find a treatment for it as soon as possible. Many families have suffered great hardship and even loss because of this virus. This is a real opportunity to be ready to serve our neighbor in love, care, and compassion.
 
Much grace to you all,
Pastor Jeff
 
Scripture calls us to not forsake the gathering together and we stand by this as a church. However, right now it may be better for some to practice social distancing. We are setting up a new system to be able to still worship together online through our Grace Church YouTube Channel.