Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid Youngstown, OH

Permit 144

Volume 29, Issue 16 Published Weekly

May 28, 2020

o n n e x t i o n s

Change Service Requested

Four Mile Run Christian Church 701 N. Four Mile Run Rd. Youngstown OH 44515

Office Phone ------------------ 330-799-7831 Fax ------------------------------------ 330-799-1929 E-Mail ------------------ info@fourmileruncc.com Web --------------------- www.fourmileruncc.com Office Hours: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Mon-Fri

CONNECT TO CHRIST Sunday Services: Traditional Worship 8:30 am Connection Time 9:00 am Sunday School 9:30 am Contemporary Worship, Pre-School and Junior Worship 10:30 am Pre-School & Junior Worship

Churches Are Essential, So Let’s Not Rush to Reopen, Pastors Reason

By Stephanie Martin

May 26, 2020

Despite President Trump’s declaration that churches are essential and that governors should allow churches to reopen immediately, not all congregations are moving quickly. For a variety of reasons—including logistics, risk factors, and effectiveness—some churches say their doors will stay closed for now.

On Friday, the CDC released revised pandemic guidelines for faith communities, and Trump urged governors “to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now, this weekend.” He added he would “override the governors,” if necessary. That sparked further debate about reopening churches, especially as Pentecost—the target date many were aiming for—approaches on May 31.

The Logistics of Reopening Churches

Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church near Louisville, Kentucky, says no timeline has been set to regather at their campuses, which average 21,000 weekly attendees. And he emphasizes the word regather, saying, “You can’t reopen something that was never closed.”

Because Southeast’s main campus seats more than 9,000 people, the new capacity restrictions and social-distancing measures are daunting. Church leadership prefers not to regather only at some campuses, Idleman says, adding that decision-making is being guided by “love and compassion,” not “fear or frustration.”

“Jesus said that part of the greatest commandment is to love our neighbor,” says Idleman. “So in this season, the decisions we’ve made have been not so much motivated by the First Amendment but about the Greatest Commandment. We want to be careful in this season to love well and to care for our communities well. So that means when demanding our rights jeopardizes our witness, we will humbly sacrifice our rights for the sake of the Gospel.”

In a survey of Southeast members, about one-third said they wanted to meet in person weeks ago, one-third said leaders should continue monitoring the situation, and another third said it’s best to wait until a vaccine or treatment for the virus exists.

Idleman encourages church members who aren’t high-risk to begin the regathering process by watching online services in small groups at homes. Southeast streams four services every Sunday, and viewership and giving have both spiked during the pandemic, he says.

Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, agrees that the church is making a greater impact than ever. In a YouTube video, he reports that since Harvest moved online, more than 50,000 people have professed faith in Jesus. “It’s sort of like every weekend has been the day of Pentecost for us,” Laurie says.

Laurie expects in-person worship to resume “sooner rather than later” but admits that leaders are still working through logistical challenges. He pledges to have “every safety protocol in place” to give people “the best possible worship experience.” In the meantime, Harvest is offering drive-in services, and its “Harvest at Home” online services will continue indefinitely.

Churches Want to Protect Life

Responding to Trump’s desire to open churches, Jesuit priest James Martin tweeted: “Churches should not open (or close) by order of a president, but because it is safe to do so. To open churches before it is safe puts lives at risk. And that would be anti-life.” He adds, “Everyone wants to go back to church, including me, but not at the risk of increased infection and death, especially among the most vulnerable.”

Making The Connection,

Mike

UPCOMING EVENTS

DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY CAUSED BY THE CORONAVIRUS, THE MONTHLY CALENDAR WILL

NOT BE SENT OUT. ALL EVENTS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED. WE WILL RELEASE UPDATES TO THE MONTHLY CALENDAR AS SOON AS THEY

ARE AVAILABLE. TO KEEP IN TOUCH, VISIT US AT www.fourmileruncc.com OR CALL THE OFFICE AT

(330) 799-7831.

UPDATE: Every day, our lives are in a fluid state of change due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic. As a church body, we need to remember not to fear or panic because Jesus is greater than anything we face in our lives, including this virus. The Bible reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7 – “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” As a church Body, we are prepared to love each other while not fearing. To this end, the Leaders at Four Mile Run have developed a strategy for you and your family to use during this time. • OFFICE HOURS: Due to guidelines set forth by

Governor Mike DeWine, our office staff is now working mostly from home. Calls made to the office will be forwarded to available staff members and voicemail will continue to be checked and responded to. Please feel free to call or email with any needs or questions.

• ONLINE SERVICES: Our service will be online Sunday Mornings to give you and your family an experience where you can worship together by singing songs, learning from God’s Word, and participating in remembering Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection through the celebration of communion.

• NEWS & UPDATES: Check our website to find the latest, up to date information regarding FMRCC.

• TEACHING & RESOURCES: We all need to continue growing. Just because we’re not gathering together, does not mean that we should not be studying God’s Word. On our website you can find a link with Teachings from our Four Mile Run Community and access to RightNowMedia for further Bible Study.

• FAMILY CORNER: This area is designed to give you some great tips and ideas for how you can spend this time developing relationships and having fun together as a family while being away from our Four Mile Run Gatherings. Visit our website to view these resources and to grow closer as a family by worshiping Jesus through these activities and ideas.

• FACEBOOK: We have another way for us to stay connected on Facebook! This group is open to any members of Four Mile Run Christian Church so that we can encourage and pray for each other during this time of restrictions and beyond. If you're a member of FMRCC, jump on Facebook and request an invite to the group today! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/fmrcc

PRAY WITH US: There are so many people involved with assisting with the Covid-19 virus that we are going to choose words or themes to pray into these people’s lives. A video will be available Monday through Friday with the prayer for that day. The videos will be available Mid-Day. ASSISTANCE: During the next few weeks, many in our community may need or be able to offer help in a variety of ways. While the Church Staff will help, we cannot do it alone. There are two ways to offer assistance OR request assistance: 1. Call the Church office at (330) 799-7831 to let us

know how you can help or if you need assistance. 2. Visit our website and fill out the form at https://

www.fourmileruncc.com/assistance-form/ ABF SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS: Are you missing your weekly Sunday School Class? The FMRCC ABF class is now being held weekly via Zoom. Contact Dave Spalding at David.Spalding@Weathersfield.k12.oh.us for a weekly zoom invitation to join live. HOMEBOUND SENIORS: A quick action group has been organized to provide seniors with assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak in our community. Volunteers will pick-up food items from the grocery store or food bank, medications from pharmacies, and deliver them to your home. Volunteers will also provide transportation to and from medical appointments. For assistance, please call 330-530-4035 ext. 2222 ONLINE GIVING: We offer online giving to make the process a little easier for you. While there are several ways to give electronically, including automatic withdrawal from checking and savings accounts, debit cards and credit cards, we strongly discourage the use of credit cards. Thank you for your faithfulness; may God bless you. How to sign up for online giving: 1 - go to our website www.fourmileruncc.com 2 - click on the menu (3 bars in upper right corner) 3 – click on the tab “Give” 4 – click on “My Online Giving” to set up your online giving account or to give without an account

ELKHORN VALLEY: Stay up to date on modified camp schedules and updates on at Elkhorn Valley Christian Service Camp on Facebook or at www.elkhornvalley.com

PRAYER REQUESTS Steff Adkins, Cumisha Amado, Jenna Barvitski, Don Beach, Bob Beckett, Carl Beckett, Chris Beeman, Alexis Bezilla, Karen Billey, Barb Caspary, Rhea Christopher, Priscilla Cole, Bobby Czopur, Val Diptak, Debbie F., Craig Freudenrich, Mary Sue Grenga, Donna & Chip Glouer, Sandy & Jim Habeger, Laura Haines, Madeline Haines, Tim Hanick, Bob Hillman, Greg Hodgdon, Rick Huggins, Karen Ita, Judy Johnson, Tom & dee Kelley, Shirley Keys, Art King, Michael Kline, Cyndi Loar, Matt Loede, Jim Maher, Annette Mahood, Henry Marshall, Gabriel Mathews, Terry Metsals, Charles Monk, Sharyn Moore, , Ron Nicholson, Amy Parkinson, Tommy Peachock, Charles Purdy, Charles Robb, Christine Schultz, Drew Schultz, Danny Shoemaker, Cara Smeltzer, Danny Stanley, Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Thomas, Kennedy Turek, Fred Wait, Grace Williams, Cherly, Amanda, Val, Alice, Karen, Harper

Retirement Home Residents: Inn at Christine Valley: Hope Fairbanks - room 215 Personal Touch Retirement Home: George Olinger

Military: Austin Beckett, Daniel Beckett, Dustin Beckett, Travis Beckett, Jordan Cranor, Jason Donelson, Mike Eaglen, Heather Kirk, Jordan Mack, Michael Moy, Kodey Paden, Mark Porter, Michael Scott, Jeffrey Shaffer, Ronnie Shaffer, Stefan Yuhas, Angelina Vargus **Please update the office by calling, emailing or filling out a Connextion Card if someone can be removed from the prayer list. After two weeks requests will be removed for nonchronic illness or injuries.

follow us on Instagram @outbreak_sm

Find out what’s happening! Stay Connected at:

• www.fourmileruncc.com

• www.facebook.com/fmrcc

• Twitter - @4milerunchurch

• Instagram - @4milerunchurch

As our current situation develops, we are praying, discussing, and listening while we make decisions on how best to be the church. Updates can be found on all of our social media platforms as well as our web-

site.

Sunday Service Update: May 28, 2020

Attendance

Let Us know how you are worshiping or using this time to become closer to God and grow your faith. Not only will this allow us to celebrate with you but it will also

encourage others to do the same! Send us pictures or stories via email or our community Facebook.

OUTBREAK STUDENTS: Follow along on Instagram and YouTube for weekly lessons and Outbreak LIVE meetings!

LOOKING FORWARD TO WORSHIPING

WITH YOU ONLINE…

EVERY SUNDAY AT 9:00AM

CASS & CAM HANGOUT: Join Cassidy and Cameron each Monday at 2:00 PM while they host a show with games, prizes and fun in a short lesson and some prayer. All students fifth grade and under can join by following the link located on the Family Corner Page or Facebook.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Make sure to head over to our Facebook page to celebrate our 2020 seniors!

Do you have a student graduating this year? Send us your students information including school graduating

from, future plans, family members and a photo of your senior so they can be celebrated weekly in our upcoming Senior Spotlight. You may send your

information to rachael@fourmileruncc.com or you may call the Church office at (330) 799-7831.