Catechism and Adult Classes
Children: Please continue practicing your Psalters from this past year. You are welcome to join us for the Bible History puzzles until the next Catechism season. Link: Puzzle Page
Other Congregational Items:
May 15
-The stay at home order for those 65 years and older has been lifted this past week. However, we do advise the elderly and vulnerable to continue to use caution and not take unnecessary risks.
-For our younger families attending: please be extra mindful of following the guidelines posted on May 6 if our older members are present. Please do not touch any surfaces unnecessarily. Please keep your children close by and remember to sanitize bathrooms after use. Please maintain a 6 foot rule on entry, exit and with two empty benches between each family (also not sitting directly across the aisle from another family).
-We are trying to keep as much ventilation as possible to decrease the possibility of spread while singing, so please bear with the doors being propped open.
May 6 UPDATE
Dear congregation,
We are glad to inform you that we will be blessed to open the doors of God’s house again this coming Sunday. We look forward to being together with some or all of you again.
Our city’s guidelines have recommended a 50% capacity for gathering. We believe that our congregation fills our building at about 50% so we do not have to ask half of you to stay home. However, we do recommend that those 65 years old and older, and anyone else who would fall into the vulnerable category, continue to worship with us from home. We ask everyone else to use discretion in coming up if you believe you may have exposure to the virus due to work. We also do not want anyone to feel obligated if they do not feel comfortable gathering in a group setting during this time. It is perfectly acceptable to use the means at home during this pandemic if you feel the risk is too great for others or yourselves. We are aware that things can change again quickly.
When coming up to church this coming weekend and until further notice please follow the following guidelines:
-utilize hand sanitizer, especially with children who tend to touch more
-the doors will be propped open to minimize the touching of common surfaces
-please wait until the foyer is empty before entering with your family and keep a six foot distance between your family and the next
-to maintain the six foot distance, we ask families to be seated six feet apart, with 2 benches in between full families or single individuals sitting six feet apart in a bench.
-if possible, continue to use the same bench each service or bring your own Psalters and Bibles. (although we will sanitize benches between services, we are unable to sanitize Psalters and Bibles)
-also on exiting, please remain standing in your bench until the family before you has made it to the back
-wipes or spray will be provided in the restroom for you to utilize
-please continue to send your collections by mail to Mr. de Wit
We are thankful for the continued protection over our congregation so far and we pray that we will continue to be able to meet together in this way. May the Lord’s blessing rest on the means used at home and in His house.
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May 2 If the city ordinance passes this week, we hope to start having services in church in some capacity next week. Please keep an eye out for a letter/email with some guidelines for meeting. The wedding for May 14 is postponed.
April 12 Next week we hope to begin streaming our own services again in the mornings. We will combine with our moderator for his catechism services in the evening.
April 5, March 28 Please note that we have decided to combine with our moderator, Rev. Vergunst for this Sunday's services.
March 27 7:00 Rhonda bridal shower ** canceled
March 21 Consistory Letter:
Congregation, due to the concerns surrounding the coronavirus we will be broadcasting our services through Mixlr and over the phone. You can access Mixlr either through our website (nrcsf.com) or directly on the Mixlr website, searching for nrcsf. If you want to listen over the telephone please contact us by calling or texting (231-942-1389) with how you want to be reached, and we will contact you shortly before the service starts. Please stay in contact with us and let us know if you have any difficulty in listening and we will be glad to help you.
While we are thankful for the opportunity to broadcast our services, it is not the same as gathering together in corporate worship which we should not forsake under normal circumstances (Hebrews 10:25). May our hearts long with the psalmist of Psalm 63 "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary." May we take to heart God's clear calling to examine ourselves, be found out by His Word and Spirit, say with Judah "What shall we say unto my Lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my Lord's servants," and repent from our sins.
As we continue through these times, it is our desire to bind together as a church family and support each other as needs arise. If you are experiencing financial hardship due to decrease or loss of income during this time of uncertainty, we encourage you to reach out to your deacon. May we continually look to the Lord and His faithful promise to supply our daily needs.
Anyone who would like to continue giving may send their offerings to Deacon Norm deWit, 25411 485th Ave., Garretson, SD 57030
We are considering continuing the adult class on the Westminster confession via a platform similar to Zoom Meeting. If this is of interest to you, please let us know when it would work for you the best.
May we all daily make this a matter of prayer, for those infected, the health care workers, our leaders of local and national rank, for wisdom, and above all that we would entreat the Lord, "Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?" Joel 2:12-14