Dear Elim Family,

Yesterday afternoon, we recorded the music for our April Hymn Sing.  We hope to have the edits done by the end of the week and send it out to you.  After singing just a few of the hymns, I was struck by how powerfully the lyrics speak to our context today!  Those hymns of faith have the power to obliterate anxiety and fear!  

There were so many moments while singing where my spirit was absolutely soaring!  One, for example, was while singing “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”:

Lives again our glorious King  Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now your sting?  Alleluia!
Dying once he all does save, Alleluia!
Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia!   (v. 2)

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! 
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia! 
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia! 
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!   (v. 4)

Maybe hymns aren’t your thing.  But I ask you, then, what is it that super-charges your faith?  What spiritual practices obliterate fear and anxiety, and cause your spirit to soar with Christ?  For such a time as this, make time every day to connect deeply with God, using the resources that beef up your spiritual muscle and help you rise above the choking fear that is all around us.  

As for spiritual resources, I have great news!  We have a free gift for you! I’m excited to share that our church now has access to an extensive, new video library called RightNow Media!

It’s like the “Netflix of Video Bible Studies” and has a HUGE library of faith-based videos that you can access whenever and wherever you want—on your phone, tablet, computer, or on your TV at home. You will have FREE access to thousands of video resources to help you with parenting, marriage, discipleship and more. It includes content for all ages and stages of life, and all of your family members are invited to set up their own accounts as well.

You can create your own free account in two simple steps:

1. Click on the link following link to create your private account and start watching right away!
www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/ELIMCC
2. Download the RightNow Media app for your smart phone, tablet, Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV.

As soon as you register, they’ll send you a tutorial video to help show you how to navigate the site and quickly find the resources that will help you most.  Parents, especially– look at the kids’ resources!!  There are thousands of really fun resources that are both engaging and edifying, and many that are outright hilarious! (e.g. “The Mr. Phil Show”).  

So I recommend to you this resource that Elim is providing.  May it help you to grow your faith and rise above the toxic anxiety, loneliness and frustration so many of us are feeling in this time of isolation.  Even in times like these, may our spirits THRIVE in Christ!  Amen!

God bless you all!  May His amazing grace and unfailing love continue to grow and increase in your hearts and home.  Amen!
Love in Him,

Pastor Steve

P.s. If you love the Right Now Media site, you are welcome to share it with family and friends.  They can also join for free! 

Dear Elim Family!

Here’s my second go at a video missive: 

It’s funny!  It’s not easy speaking to a phone camera!  But I knew y’all would give me grace for my fumbling around!  
Two things I forgot to mention: 

1. Wish me happy anniversary!  Yesterday was my 6th year mark at serving as Elim’s pastor!  I’m LOVING it!  And I love you all!  Let’s pray God allows me to continue many, many years here!
2. Continue to “tune in” to our on-line ministry, and especially our Sunday morning services: www.elimqc.org/eoo

God bless you all!  May His amazing grace flood your hearts and homes!  Amen!

Love in Him,

Pastor Steve

Dear Elim family,

I hope this finds you well, and at peace.  I continue praying for God’s grace, protection, provision and PEACE in this time of uncertainty.  

I’ve had several conversations with individuals that are struggling with anxiety.  I thought it might be worthwhile to share with you what I’ve given to them as pastoral counsel:

1. A question: Where and how do you find God’s peace?  In other words, what “spiritual practices” help you connect deeply with God, and where you feel a strong connection with Him?  (e.g. Reading His Word; a prayer walk; journaling; listening to Christian music; etc.).  Make a list of the top 10 ways you connect best with God.  
   
2. Now, fuel up!  And keep your tank full!  I only ran out of gas ONCE in my life.  After that, I’ve made it a practice to never let my tank get too low.  Many of us struggle with anxiety when our “spiritual tanks” get low.  So keep your tank full, and never allow it to even get close to low!  Be proactive!  
   
   Here’s how: From your list you made above, use it as a list of “fuel sites.”  Every day, schedule in time to engage in one (or, better yet, several!) spiritual practices.  Fill that tank and keep it full!  It will work wonders to whittle down your anxiety!
   
3. Now, another question: What practices (or even persons) ramp up your anxiety?  Be honest!  What people do it?  What TV shows do it (even news programs)?  What internet sites do it (e.g. Facebook)?  As best you can, limit your time with those things/people that intensify your anxiety.  C’mon!  It makes sense, doesn’t it?  If you’ve got a fire that’s getting out of control, it doesn’t help to spray gasoline on it!  
   

It’s a simple formula (in life, it typically is!): More of God’s influence, less of negative influences.  

All I just said is proven truthful when we read Isaiah 26:3– “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

It’s one thing to read a Scripture verse.  Another level up is memorizing it.  And another level is to meditate on it.  But the ultimate level is to live into it!  That’s when our faith really begins to work for us!  

So live into that verse by practicing what I recommend above.  Then enjoy God’s “perfect peace!!”  Even in the midst of life’s greatest storms, like this current one, we can experience a peace from God that “transcends all understanding!” (Php. 4:7).  May it be so for all of you!  Yes, Lord!  And so we all together say, “Amen!”

Love in Him,

Pastor Steve

I thought that title would get your attention!  Pastor Felipe shared it with me this morning: “It’s time to call 91:1.  That is, it’s time to call on Psalm 91:1

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  

And the rest of the Psalm has amazing promises for us to live into, as we engage our faith and stand on God’s Word. 

Today I’ve read some alarming messages that were passed along by e-mail and Facebook.  However, when I checked with Snopes.com, and did a little research, I found that these are bogus claims.  So, if you read that Trump is going to enact the Stafford Act and create Martial Law, calling up the National Guard, it is false.  Here’s the Snopes article on it:  https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/white-house-quarantine-text/

And as for Governor Pritzker calling for a “Shelter-in-Place” act for Illinois, yes that’s true.  However, here’s the Chicago Tribune article, and as you read it, you’ll see that it’s nothing to be alarmed about.  
Here’s the link: https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-shelter-in-place-lockdown-order-20200320-teedakbfw5gvdgmnaxlel54hau-story.html

Read the article, please!  It is not a big deal, nor much of a change to what we’re already doing.  We can still go to the pharmacy, the grocery store, the McDonald’s drive-thru.  He even encourages you to go our for walks.  The police will not arrest you!  Nor is the National Guard being called in, except to help with social services:  From the article: “Instead, 60 service members will be deployed to establish drive-up testing sites, help with food delivery to disadvantaged families impacted by school closures and possibly prepare closed hospitals to reopen.”

So please, as I’ve been saying all along, Remain fearless, and wise.

If you get any alarming e-mails or Facebook posts, check the source.  Before you forward it along, practice due diligence.  Don’t be drawn into a panic, and especially don’t draw others in, propagating a false story.  

Finally, along with Elim’s wonderful leadership, we’ve been working hard this week at getting ourselves organized for on-line ministry.  We still have work to do to expand it, but I’ll be sharing more, beginning Monday, and (hopefully) with regular updates.  

Tomorrow morning, several of us are gathering at church to video record a worship service.  Please pray for us!  God willing, we’ll send out a link tomorrow night so you can worship Sunday morning, just as usual, but on-line.  We’ll post the link to our website, so simply go there to view it: elimqc.org

Ultimately, remember that God is totally in control.  He is sovereign, and none of this is shaking Him up!  When we remain in Him, constant in prayer, and steadfast in His Word, the result will be (as is promised by God Himself!) a perfect peace (Isa. 26:3; Php. 4:7), an unshakable joy (Ps. 5:11; Jn. 15:11), and an unfailing love (Ex. 15:13; Ps. 36:7)  surrounding us like a shield (Ps. 32:10).  These are God’s promises!  All we have to do is to rest in Him, and they are ours!  So let us be true to our faith and truly live out what we believe.  Amen!

God bless you all!  May His promises be manifested in your hearts and homes.  Amen!

Dear Elim Family,

The elders just met, and we determined that, for the time being, we will cancel most all of our regular church events.  So, until further notice, assume that everything is cancelled, unless you hear differently from us.  

That said, we’ve got some very cool on-line opportunities coming for worship, Bible studies and fellowship!  So, as an initial step, please bookmark our church’s website:

elimqc.org

Beginning this Sunday morning, we’ll have a link to share where you can watch an abbreviated worship service: Our Elim worship team leading three songs, Scripture reading, sermon, pastoral prayer and benediction.  

Our various ministry teams are looking into on-line options for doing life and ministry together, using technology.  We’re looking at creative ways to stay connected, worshipful, and growing, in our relationship with the Lord and with each other.  

I’m very impressed with our leadership!  And with everyone at Elim!  As I reiterated to Katie Clarke (it’s her birthday today, by the way!), y’all are an easy group of people to love!  

I’ll get you more updates soon!  For now, may God’s grace and blessings shower down upon you and yours!  Amen!
Love in Him,

Pastor Steve

Dear Elim Family,

When I sent out my missive yesterday in the early afternoon, we were still only hearing that gatherings of greater than 250 were to be cancelled.  Then, Governor Pritzker announced that gatherings over 50 should be cancelled.  Last evening, he recommended no greater than 10.  So, many of my recommendations from yesterday are now moot!  

I am meeting with the elders today to discuss the situation, but I’m certain we will be cancelling most church activities.  We will be discussing on-line options for worship, study, fellowship and prayer.  I’ll have more to tell you tomorrow.  

I finally read an article today that helped me understand the mathematics of the situation.  It’s written by a successful CEO of a tech company who is a math genius.  He explained the numbers and why we’re looking at an exponential growth rate that could be devastating, if the virus is left unchecked.  I’m attaching the full article below, but as it’s a large article, here’s a quick summary:

• The exponential rate of spread really could be catastrophic if extreme measures of social distancing are not put in place. 
• While only 15% of those who contract the virus may need medical attention, if the cases reach only into the tens of thousands, it could overload our hospital system.  If it reached into the millions (and w/out any checks, it could do that in a month’s time), it would be absolutely overwhelming.  
• It’s not simply a lack of hospital beds, but more critically, the lack of ventilators.  Therefore, they would have to select who gets a ventilator, and who doesn’t (and so will die).  And if your kid has an accident, needs a surgery with a ventilator, but there isn’t one available, then he cannot get the help he needs.  In other words, many people who are seeking medical care for something other than the virus, could lose their lives, also.
• This mathematician showed that with no restraints put in place, we could likely have 10 million cases within the next 30 days.  At 15% hospitalization rate, that’s 1.5 million– but we only have about 150,000 ventilators in the country (and many of them already being used for surgeries, and cases and conditions outside of the coronavirus).  
• So, with adequate medical care, 98% of people recover.  But if the majority of people infected couldn’t get adequate care, because the system is overwhelmed, then the death rate would increase significantly.  
• With severe social distancing practiced, in the next 30 days we would only see 160,000 cases, and so only 24,000  (15%) needing medical care.  With extreme social distancing practiced, and soon, he estimates only 40,000 cases developing, and so only 6,000 critical patients.  
• In summary, with extreme social distancing, we could see 6-24,000 cases needing medical care.  That is still significant, but manageable.  With no measures taken, perhaps 1.5 million could need medical care, completely overwhelming our medical system, and that would lead to catastrophic results.  

After reading the article, I believe the WISE thing to do is to encourage social distancing.  Should we shut down all church activities?  Probably.  I’ll make the final decision with the elders, and I’ll let you know tomorrow.  
Again, we’re already discussing some pretty cool ways of using technology to bring worship, study, prayer and fellowship into your living room via the internet.  And we’ll stay in touch via Facebook, e-mail, texting and phone calls.  

I’ve been very impressed.  Many who I’ve spoken to, who I thought would be more upset (like having your wedding cancelled or postponed) are taking things in stride.  Through my conversations with many of you, I judge that your faith is very strong indeed!  Strong enough to not be overcome by anxiety and fear, which was my concern from the start.  God is so good!  And you all are wonderful!  

I believe we’ll get through this just fine.  We might have to pull together and “bear one another’s burden,” and we will!  May God’s grace be upon us all, and may He help us– worldwide– to stem the tide of this virus, and weather this storm.  Amen!

Love in Him,

Pastor Steve

Dear Elim Family,

I want to continue to encourage you toward biblical living in this time of unrest.  So I reiterate my encouragement to live fearlessly and wisely.  
Nick Wagner shared a great article with me, and I want to copy the link for you.  Please read the words of C.S. Lewis and take them to heart: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/cs-lewis-coronavirus/

Added by Scott Fowler: since this was originally sent this has changed. See more recent missives.

For now, I want to encourage us, as a church, to conduct “business as usual.”  So, I am encouraging us to continue with our worship services and small group ministries.  Tomorrow’s Trivia is still a go.  So is Grief Share tomorrow morning.  And Financial Peace tomorrow evening.  Our prayer meetings, Wednesday kids’ programming, and (certainly) our worship services are still a go.  Please participate unless, 1) You’re not feeling well, or 2) You’re uncomfortable.  

With WISDOM, let us simply stay away from close physical contact, and do a lot of hand-washing.  

I want to continue to encourage you to combat anxiety by saturating your spirit with the Word of God, and communing with the Holy Spirit through God’s Word and through prayer.  Here’s the promise, directly from God, that affirms what I’m saying: 

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).  

So keep your minds “stayed” on Christ!  And experience His “perfect peace!”  Meditate on His Word, and “pray without ceasing,” and that peace will be yours.  Amen!

If you had to miss the worship service yesterday, we were able to successfully VIDEO record it!  Our tech team is wonderful!  As soon as they get it on-line, I’ll send you the link.  We hope to be able to do this going forward.  

Also, if anyone is in need during this time, give us a call at the office.  We will do what we can to help with the needed resources, be that material, emotional and/or spiritual.  

And continue to look for people you, yourself, can help: Family, neighbors, church members, etc.  Let us be “children of light” in this time of crisis!  Like the old kids’ song asserts: “Hide it under a bushel? NO!! I’m gonna let it shine!”  Amen!  Let’s be God’s light in our communities!

God bless you all!  May His perfect peace extinguish all fear, and may you be led by His wisdom and love to shine like stars.  Amen!

Love in Him,

Pastor Steve

Dear Elim family,

It’s good to be back from my vacation with Elizabeth.  We had a wonderful time.  I can assure you that, after 20 years of marriage, we’re still very much in love!  
While away, the news of the coronavirus threat seemed to grow exponentially every day.  I’d like to address the matter and give you my thoughts, and also explain how we are proposing we handle the situation here at church, for worship services and events.

Fearless, yet wise

I encourage everyone to live by this standard: Be fearless, yet wise.  This is a biblical standard, and core to our faith.  For such a time as this, we must engage our faith by living into prayer and saturating our minds, hearts and spirits with God’s Word.  “Perfect love drives out all fear,” and as we commune with the Spirit, God’s perfect love can and will truly cast out all fear.  

Don’t allow fear to dictate.  Being cautious is healthy, while living fearfully is unhealthy.  The first promotes wisdom, the second promotes paranoia, anxiety and distress.  

I have more to say about this, and plan to share more in subsequent missives.  For now, I leave you with this simple admonition: By faith, be fearless, yet wise.  

Living it out

In your daily living, use practical caution when interacting with others.  I don’t need to repeat what is being said over and over in the media.  Simply be wise and avoid the kind of close contact that could lead to spreading germs.  But as Elim’s wise matriarch, Katie Clarke, put it: “What?  Are we supposed to stop living?!”  Amen, Katie!  That’s a person speaking from faith!
So I encourage you to do your best to continue living your lives, but simply being more cautious these days and limiting the spread of germs.  

Worship and church activities

Added by Scott Fowler: since this was originally sent this has changed. See more recent missives.

At this point, I am not advocating that we cancel any regular church activities.  Let’s just be wise when we gather.  Toward that end, here’s specifically what I’m advocating: 

• If sick, stay home:  Please be considerate of others and stay home if you have a fever, a cough and/or head cold.  
• Waves and smiles:  As you greet people, limit physical contact.  In our worship service, we will simply turn, smile and wave, instead of our usual greeting of one another.  
• Offering plates:  We’ll shift for a time and have ushers in the back, after service, holding the offering plates.  Simply drop your offering in the plate.  Better yet, use our new, on-line giving platform!  Go to our website, elimqc.org.  Click on “Giving,” and follow the instructions to get started, or ask Sandy Parrott for help to set it up.  
• Communion service: We will have an alternative format to minimize contact with the plates and elements.  
• No guilt:  If, for any reason, you would prefer to stay home, do so.  

Our sermons are always recorded and posted to our website.  We are also working to get video recordings of our sermons.  So if you do stay home, you can still listen to the message on-line at elimqc.org, and on the home page, scroll down and click on “Sermon Audio.”  If we can record them on video, I’ll e-mail on how to access those video messages.  

Cancellations

Added by Scott Fowler: since this was originally sent this has changed. See more recent missives.

For now, the only cancellation I’m aware of is our annual Girls Night Out.  We will notify you if any other activities are cancelled.  While I’m advocating that we continue with our regular weekly programming, I will support ministry leaders and groups if they feel the need to cancel.  

Doing good ministry

I have loved the perspective Scott Fowler has shown– he has come to me now with a couple of ideas for how we can serve families in need in our church family and neighborhood as a result of school closings.  We are looking into those.  But I encourage you to look for ways you can serve others in this time.  For example: 

• Running errands for someone who’s home-bound
• Bringing a meal to someone, or a family, in need
• Helping with childcare for a working parent whose kids are staying home from school
• Brainstorm for other ideas, and look for ways to “bear one another’s burdens.”  

If you have a need, or know of someone who does, and cannot attend to the need yourself, please call our church office and let us know so we can try to help.  

Pray

The Bible is clear on how to handle a crisis that creates anxiety: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Php. 4:6).  Simply combat anxiety with prayer.  And be thankful!  Expressing our gratitude to God is accomplishes two things: It honors God, and it shrinks our fears.  Like vinegar on weeds, thanksgiving shrivels up fear!  
Pray specifically for:

• The sick: Those who have contracted the virus; and others who are sick
• Our government and health officials: For wisdom and strength of character
• Those with jobs affected: For God’s grace and His supply for their needs
• Families with school-age kids: To wisely manage the care of their children, now at home.
• Brainstorm!  Who else needs our prayers?

During the time of the Black Plague, Christians responded, not with fear, but with fearlessness.  Many Christians went out to serve and minister to the sick.  Lord, build up our faith so that we might respond with fearlessness and wisdom!  

To strengthen our faith, we must continue to build ourselves up with God’s Word and with prayer.  That’s why I don’t want us to stop meeting together for worship, study and prayer.  Privately and corporately, we need to strengthen our faith, especially now.  

And may God respond by fulfilling His promise to guard our hearts and minds with His peace that passes all understanding (Php. 4:7).  Amen!

Love in Him,

Pastor Steve