North Church Update - Week 3 (March 30 - April 5)

Hey friends,

During this time of COVID-19 restrictions, we want to keep you up-to-date with what is going on throughout the church. You can expect an email every Monday with updates, the plan for the coming week, and any church-related information that might be helpful for you as you navigate life.

I know things are changing quickly with federal, state, and city officials passing down different mandates. As these instructions affect different realities within our church life, we’ll try to communicate quickly through our social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.

Services – The elders have agreed that we will plan to hold services online next week April 5th and are planning to hold our Good Friday and Easter Service online also.

We will send an online invitation card for you to print out and give to your neighbors, family, and friends inviting them to online Good Friday and Easter services as well as having professionally printed cards available either to pick up at the church or to be sent to you for those of you who are able to safely walk around your neighborhoods and distribute invitations. Watch for the invitation cards next week!

Since the online.church platform has failed the last two weeks running we are investigating options for other platforms to use, stay tuned for what we decide to use to bring you services on a stable platform.

Our back up plans for if the live stream platform fails are as follows:

northchurchabq.com/sermons or our You Tube Channel
 
Prayer Meetings - The elders will host daily prayer meetings Monday-Saturday through Zoom. Please join in this communal time of prayer for one another, our church, our city, and our world.

The meetings will be at this link at the days and times below: https://zoom.us/j/8056385999

Prayer Meeting	Pastor	Time
Monday	Greg	12:00 pm
Tuesday	Nathan	7:00 am
Wednesday	Bob	7:00 pm
Thursday	Jay	12:00 pm
Friday	Ryan	10:00 am
Saturday	Kenyon	1:00 pm

Local Business List - In an effort to support local businesses associated with the church (Gal 6:10) we are gathering information so you might be able to support these businesses at this time. Please add local business information that you are connected with either through family relations, friendships, etc. to the list, and If you are able, please consider supporting these establishments.

Link: Local Business List

Community Groups - While we are under the Governor’s stay at home order and unable to gather in groups larger than five, our normal group rhythms must change. In all likelihood, you’ve already done this, but I want to encourage you not to stop meeting entirely and find a way to connect even if it is to just chat and talk about all that is going on. You can use these free services: Skype, Zoom, Discord, What’s App, etc. to allow group members to meet without leaving home.

Reach out to your Community Group leader and see if there is a plan to use one of these services. If you aren’t in a Community Group, reach out to Thomas and Eryn Beechem at connect@northchurchabq.com and get connected to a group even in this time of isolation.
 
Resources -- This week we will post devotionals on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday by Pastor Greg Bump. Check the blog (northchurchabq.com/blog) and social media for the devotional resources and video stories to accompany the devotions.

Pastor Jay and his wife Jess have and will continue to post some tips, tricks, and resources for family worship, devotionals, and spiritual formation on Tuesday and Thursday as you lead your families at home.

Mercy and Benevolence -- Thank you to all who replied to our form about helping out during this time. Please stay ready as needs develop.

We are currently working through our Shine partnership to provide food for our city’s children and families during this unprecedented time.

There are two package types being put together – one is a Snack Pack and the other is a Food Box. You can donate any or all of the individual items from this link: feednmkids.com/snackpack/ for the Snack Pack or Click here for the Food Boxes. Please do not include items without a shelf life of at least 3 days.

Donations can be dropped off Monday and Tuesday, from 8 am - 4 pm at:
Eastern Hills Baptist Church
3100 Morris St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
(505) 298-8455

If you would like to volunteer to help with the packaging or distribution process, you can sign up HERE.

Distribution will take place at Kennedy Middle School, 721 Tomasita St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123, on Thursday March 26th from 10 am - 1 pm.

North has an existing benevolence policy that is primarily for our covenant members and those who call North home. You can request help HERE.
 
Budget Changes – We have made cuts in spending in every area we can without disrupting essential operations and in anticipation of increased budget spending in the area of benevolence to serve our church and our community. This budget reset brings us to right around $69k per month, cutting about $3k per month out of expenses.
 
Please continue to give to North Church as you are able, mail a check to the church (4700 San Mateo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109) or give online at northchurchabq.com/give

Individual/Small Group Prayer – Please gather virtually with other brothers and sisters in Christ to pray. I’d encourage you to pray through a psalm or just cry out to the Lord to bring a harvest of many souls during this time and to miraculously bring about an end to this season of sickness, social distancing, and uncertainty.
 
In Christ,
Pastor Ryan