Restore Church COVID-19 Update

Update | Monday, March 16, 2020

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Dear Restore Church Family,

Due to the latest CDC recommendations and Gov. Pritzker’s executive order given today, Restore Church will be suspending all Sunday morning worship experiences until further notice. We are closely monitoring the situation and we will be sure to bring you further updates as we receive additional information.

We realize that these have been difficult and turbulent times for many. In the midst of so much uncertainty, we want to encourage you to stay in faith and to stay in peace. Let’s choose to keep our eyes on Jesus! He is our faithful Healer, Provider and Protector. He is with us and He will enable us to move forward into greater days.

Don’t be afraid,  for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged,  for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.  – Isaiah 41:10 NLT

Please know that we are here for you and we are praying for you and your family. Even though we will not be able to meet in person, Restore Church will be bringing ministry directly to you and your family online every Sunday morning. These videos will be available on our website, on the Restore Church YouTube channel and on the Restore Church App.

Be sure to visit restorechurchyorkville.com for future updates and additional information.

Grace & Peace,

Jordan & Melissa Gash, Lead Pastors

Restore Church

restorechurchyorkville.com

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Previous Updates:

Saturday, March 14, 2020

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Dear Restore Church Family,

As you are all aware, the recent spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused much public unrest and has raised serious health concerns in our communities. We want you to know that we are here for you during this time and we are praying for you and your families. As our state and local officials work to stop the spread of COVID-19, we want to share with you how Restore Church is responding and how we are increasing our efforts to provide a clean and safe environment for all who attend our Sunday morning worship experiences. We also want to take this opportunity to encourage you with the promises of protection found in God’s Word and remind you of the power that God’s peace can bring into our lives in times of uncertainty.

 

What We Are Doing

We are closely monitoring and following state and local recommendations related to public gatherings and we are in direct, and ongoing, communications with Kendall County Health Department officials. At this time, due to our ability to hold multiple services, Restore Church will continue holding Sunday morning worship experiences as scheduled. Please know that your health and safety is our highest priority. At the recommendation of our local health officials, we will be increasing our already thorough cleaning and sanitation procedures with increased focus on all touch points throughout the building, our auditorium, children’s church classrooms, and our restrooms. In addition to our regular cleaning practices on Sunday mornings, our team will be cleaning and sanitizing offering containers and surfaces throughout the building before and in between each worship experience. Out of love for our church community, we ask that all of our team and church attendees follow the following common sense guidelines recommended by the CDC:

    • Please avoid handshaking and hugging – plan to use other non-contact methods of greeting
    • Clean hands at regular intervals with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
    • Avoid touching your face and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
    • Plan to stay home if you or your children are feeling sick or have had cold, cough or flu-like symptoms within the past 24 hours
    • Elderly and immunocompromised residents should plan to take extra precautions

 

We believe it’s important (and Biblical) to honor the requests of our local authorities and to follow common sense guidelines for the health and safety of our friends and neighbors. At the same time, above all else, our trust and confidence is in God to keep us and to protect us. I want to encourage you to read and take to heart the following passages. Let these words strengthen you. Choose to believe in them and declare them over your life. Doing so will bring about a peace and a calm that only comes as we place our trust in God. 

 

Let’s Stay in Peace:

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. – Colossians 3:15 AMP 

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you. – Philippians 4:6-9 AMP 

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] – John 14:27,33 AMPC

 

Let’s Have Faith in God:

Psalm 91 NLT

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes,
    and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.

11 For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”

 

Let’s Be a Light in Our Generation

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. – Isaiah 60:1-2 NKJV

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV

 

See You This Weekend!

We look forward to seeing you at church this weekend! We will continue to monitor the situation and follow recommendations from state and local government agencies. We will also be sure to stay in touch going forward with any additional updates. We love you, we’re praying for you and we are here for you.

Grace & Peace,

Jordan & Melissa Gash, Lead Pastors

Restore Church

restorechurchyorkville.com