North Church Update - Week 10 (May 18-May 24)

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.

We are preparing to re-gather in person this Sunday!!!!

Details are being worked out in the next couple of days so we can safely gather together to worship the risen Lord Jesus. We are hoping to see as many of you as feel comfortable gathering this Sunday.

If you are at risk or don't yet feel comfortable gathering with groups, our services will continue to be streamed on our online platform at 9am and 11am.

As we prepare to get back to normal we will continue to provide resources for you to care for one another and for yourself. Just check the blog page on the website and follow our social media channels on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date resources and communications from the church.

Services – We begin in-person, and continue online services this Sunday (May 24th)!  Our building has a capacity of 832 people, so to comply with the Governor's order of 25% of total capacity we can hold 208 people in the building at any one time.

This capacity should be plenty of space for us, but we'll still be putting in protocols for safely gathering. Those protocols and details will be sent out in an e-mail, and circulated on-line later this week.

In Person: 9am and 11am: Details will be sent out in an e-mail later this week.

Online: 9am and 11am: https://northchurch.online.church/ 

Coffee and A Chat - Since we can gather in groups at the church building please join Pastor Ryan on Wednesday's at 10am for coffee and a chat.

No agenda or planned conversation, just a time where we can gather and have some time with one another, talking without a screen between us.

Bring your own coffee. We'll meet in the lobby and spread out for a chat.

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 Password: Jesus

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 how you’re all doing. 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 physical isolation.

Resources -- This week we will post devotionals on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday by me, Pastor Ryan. Check the blog (northchurchabq.com/blog) and social media for the devotional resources and video stories to accompany the devotions.

We will continue to post tips, tricks, and resources for family worship, devotionals, and spiritual formation on Social Media on Tuesday and Thursday as you lead your families at home.

Mercy -- We are currently working with our friends at Desert Springs church to provide relief supplies to the Navajo Nation.

1.Financial donations for COVID relief were used to purchase some non perishable food and toiletry items. We will be providing ongoing donations to Navajo Nation during this time, if you'd like to make a donation of non-perishable food or a financial donation to support this effort please contact Pastor Greg Bump (g.bump@northchurchabq.com)

2.You can help provide food for children and families. 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

Benevolence - North has an existing benevolence policy that is primarily for our covenant members and those who call North Church home. You can request help HERE.

Budget – 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.

April's financials were as follows:
Giving - $79,900
Spending - $66,588

Thank you for your generosity! Please continue to give to North Church as you are able. You can 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 save those who don’t know him during this time and to miraculously bring about an end to this season of sickness, social distancing, and uncertainty.

In Christ,
Pastor Ryan