​July 5th: What is the Church?

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 2:19-22

COVID-19 has changed a lot of things in our world. And while we may be tired of hearing about the virus, we have to think about how it has and is affecting our lives. That includes the church! Our buildings have been closed. Our events have been canceled. That begs the question, what is the church? The church is more than the building we gather in. So, what is the church, if it isn’t the building? The church has to have feet in order to be what it was designed to be: God’s people! The church is a movement, not a structure. How do we give the church feet in this crazy and upside-down world we find ourselves living in?

​​​WORSHIP  ​at Emmanuel

 Weekly Worship Service with a message from Pastor Mindi Gochnaur, traditional hymns, contemporary praise songs and special music by Emmanuel's Sanctuary, Hand Bell and Children's  Choir. ​​

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Audio only

Coronavirus Update  6-23-2020

Greetings Emmanuel Church Family, 

I am writing to joyfully inform you that we will be worshiping together again on Sunday, July 5th! It has been a long time since we have been together in person, and I am excited for us to gather back together once again.

            This gathering is going to look different than our typical worship services in the past. We are trying something new in order to love one another well during this new season and to keep everyone safe. July 5th will be our first ever Drive-In Worship Service. This means that you will drive to the church in your car, park, and remain in your car for the entire service. Worship will begin at 8:45am. Please note the time change! We kindly ask that you arrive before 8:45, as our ushers will need to get cars parked before the service begins. Our intention is to keep this service to 30-40 minutes. An in-car activity will be provided for our children.

            Here are a few guidelines we are asking that you follow during our Drive-In service to ensure everyone’s health and safety:

Follow the parking attendant’s instructions upon arrival at the church.
Abide by all posted signage that directs the flow of traffic in and out of the parking lot.
Please stay in your car.
The church will be CLOSED; so please do not plan to access the building for any reason.
If you are concerned about airborne particles, please keep your car windows up for the added layer of safety.
Tune your car radio to the designated station for the worship service (provided upon arrival). If you are uncomfortable with keeping your car running, a small battery- operated radio with FM capability may also be used.
No bathroom facilities are available.
No playground facilities are available.
If you feel ill, please stay home until you feel better.
Always do your part to keep both yourself and others safe!

Our council and sub-teams have been working very hard to make this style of worship available to the congregation and community. We ask for your patience as we navigate these new waters together. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe joining us for worship on July 5th in the parking lot, that’s okay! We will continue to offer our sermons online. And, if you would like a printed copy of the sermon, please contact the church office and we will be sure that you get a copy of the message.  

            Our church office hours will remain the same, Monday and Wednesday from 9-12pm. The office and building will be closed the other days of the week. Pastor Mindi will return to work on June 29th and will be available to meet, at this time, by appointment only. Please continue to email or call in your prayer requests and our prayer team will keep covering them in prayer. Prayer requests will be received during our Drive-In service via text message, and that number will be provided upon arrival to the service.

 Daily devotions will continue to be provided throughout the summer. I would like to thank everyone who has provided a devotion. They have been encouraging and inspiring. If you would like to write one of the daily devotions, please email Pastor Mindi or call the church office.

Thank you for your continued faithful, sacrificial giving during this season. I am blown away by your faithfulness. I know that this virus has put a financial strain on many, so thank you for not being afraid to continue giving in faith. I invite you to continue to give by mailing your gifts/offerings, using our online giving option on the church website or by dropping off your offering at the church, during our new office hours. There is a box outside the church office. There will be an opportunity to give of your offering at our new Drive-In Worship service (an offering plate will not be passed). If you are more comfortable mailing in your offering, please continue to do so.

As we begin to look at reopening the church building, we are in need of a team of people willing to clean our worship space between/after services. If you have any interest in leading or being a part of our cleaning team, please email Pastor Mindi or contact the church office. This new team will be crucial to our ability to reopen the church building.

Plans are being made to resume children and youth ministries. As it becomes available, that information will be communicated.

I look forward to worshiping and growing with you, Emmanuel. Be on the lookout for new ways of engaging in your faith in the coming weeks, as we seek to remain connected in this socially distant time.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Mindi

YouTube Link for July 5, 2020

July Sermon Series: 

The Church Has Feet

The church is not defined by its location, or at least it shouldn’t be. The church was never designed to be stationary, contained. The church is supposed to have feet! It is supposed to move. Be active. Change lives. Love people. Proclaim the Gospel. Throughout the month of July, we are going to explore the who, what, where and why of the church and, hopefully, commit together to putting feet to the church!

May 31, 2020

Emmanuel United Methodist Church

• Music Ministry

• Men’s Ministry

• United Methodist Women

• SAM - Senior Adult Ministry

• Healing Prayer Group

• Global Missions

• Young Adult Ministry

• Youth Ministry

• Junior Church

• Sunday School