Welcome back to church!
That statement might seem a bit odd because, as you know, we have had church every week online. Yet, it is undeniable that something powerful happens when we assemble in person as the Body of Christ!
These past few months have been quite trying, to say the least for all of us. For the Pastors and Staff here at Now Church, this building has felt empty at times as we walk through it. We have missed the voices of our children, youth, and adults as we fellowship and worship together. When something is taken away that we have enjoyed for years like gathering as a church, we begin to realize what a tremendous blessing it is in our lives.
The Bible is quite clear of the value of meeting together:
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
As we move closer to the coming of the Lord, we must keep our focus of seeing souls won into the Kingdom of Christ. The church’s purpose to IMPACT, INSPIRE, and DEVELOP people to TRANSFORM the WORLD is as important now as ever before. I believe it's also vital that we, as believers meet together for worship and fellowship as we learn more about walking in the love of God. Our world needs the message that Jesus has to offer. I am reminded of an Andrae' Crouch song that we used to sing. The message is as needed today as when he wrote the song: Jesus is the Answer for the world today, above Him there's no other, Jesus is the Way!
I’m excited to inform you that the church campus will be reopening for in person worship beginning Sunday, February 21st. There will be one worship experience at 10:30am. This is in addition to all of the online worship experiences already being offered.
I encourage you to be a person full of grace as we gather again. There are many different beliefs and opinions about the “way things should be,” but I pray that we can be a people who will remember the essential thing is that we draw closer to Christ than ever before. To be filled with grace in this context means that we refrain from being critical of others because their thought process is different than ours. Some aren't ready to return to in-person worship, and that's fine. Others are ready to start hugging and shaking hands immediately, yet we ask that you refrain from that for just a while.
Thank you for giving our leadership team an extra dose of grace during this time as well. The staff and I are taking guidelines from the CDC, local and state authorities Realm Church app to learn about the many ways that the leadership team is committed to make sure we are in a safe, yet welcoming environment both for people AND the presence of God. Most of your questions and concerns will be answered in the MOVING FORWARD PLAN document. However, If you have additional questions, please call the church office at (954) 774-3828 and someone will assist you.
I’ve missed you. I’m excited to see you again soon.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor JAVEN phil 1:6
Senior Pastor