Tuesday Church Life Update

Greetings, EMC family!

As we find ourselves in the midst of a growing outbreak of coronavirus infections in our country, it’s important that we remain calm, vigilant, and above all else prayerful. The good people of northeast North Carolina are no strangers to storms. You are a tough, resilient people who know what it takes to persevere, and we will weather this storm together.

That’s the key: together. We have made it through the initial bands of change and adaptation. Services and groups were cancelled. People have been staying in their homes. Church services have been moved online. You have done amazing with all of this change. Your attitudes and response to it all has been a beautiful witness to the presence of the Holy Spirit who is at work in you. But things are going to get worse before they get better, so it is important that we all stay informed and in touch.

Below are a few things I’d like to update you on concerning our church’s life for the coming days. Please take a few minutes to read everything:

Join us for our Wednesday Night Prayer and Bible Study Gathering on Facebook Live tomorrow evening beginning at 7pm. You can find the church’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ecityemc. Be sure to ‘Like’ and ‘Follow’ to see all of our posts and get notified when they drop.
For those who want to watch, but don’t have Facebook, I have created a Live page on our website for viewing our livestreams. Go to ecityemc.org and click “Live” in the top right-hand corner of the page.
To submit prayer requests, fill out the prayer requests form on the website. Go to ecityemc.org and click “Contact” in the top right-hand corner of the page. There is a link to “Request Prayer” that will send your message directly to the EMC ministry staff.
Please remember to support our local businesses impacted by the economic fallout of this crisis. Many are having to radically adapt to new restrictions that are crippling their business. There are a number of helpful resources out there to assist you, including groups on Facebook such as the Elizabeth City Take Out and Delivery group, which has a running list of local restaurants still trying to operate despite not being able to offer dine-in service. Our very own Mike and Holly Audette with the Culpepper Inn have adapted by offering delicious takeout breakfast/brunch options throughout the week. Their menu is located here. Please consider helping them and other local small businesses as much as you can!
The church office, in conjunction with the Visitation Ministry Team, is currently coordinating the development of a congregational care infrastructure that will be making sure the needs of our most vulnerable and marginalized are being met on a weekly basis. Please inform us if you know of someone needing any form of congregational care, such as meals, groceries, medications, church service DVDs, a simple phone call, etc.
The staff is also prayerfully brainstorming ways our church can serve the extended community. We will be sharing those thoughts and plans as they crystalize and the Lord leads. Please be poised to do your part in this local body to be the church!

I know this is a difficult and scary time, but our God is greater than even the mightiest of foes! Stay safe, trust Jesus, and stay connected to one another however possible. I love you and am praying for you.

In Him. With you.
Pastor Sean