Northsmoke Statement
Hello Northsmoke Family,
We just wanted to give you an update in regard to the Coronavirus.
In compliance with the recommendations of the CDC and our local authorities, we will not be gathering as a church family this Sunday.
We’ve prayed and sought counsel from those over us in the Lord and we believe this is what the Lord would have us to do at this time.
Romans 13:1-4 tells us to be subject to the governing civil authorities and so that is what we will do. The president and his team are seeking the Lord and making decisions accordingly. Therefore, we will submit to their request to limit gatherings to 10 or less people. Their belief is that if we commit to doing this for a short period of time this virus will pass.
Our plan for now will be to host our services online at our normal time (Sunday’s at 10:00am). We will assess this decision on a week to week basis.
Here are some VERY IMPORTANT things we want you to keep in mind as we move forward:
1. Do not miss the online services-We are gathering spiritually through the internet so DO NOT MISS the online services. There’s no time or distance in the spirit and we are believing for God’s presence and anointing to fill your homes as you watch the services. You can watch the services on Facebook Live. If you don’t have Facebook Live find someone in the body who does and go to their house and watch with them.
2. Watch the online services the right way-When you join us for the online services make sure you stay engaged and do not allow yourself to be distracted. Get your Bible, get your notebook, block out all distractions and approach these online services as you would if you were in the building. Discipline yourself to focus and pay attention. Be good soldiers in the army of God. Do not allow yourself to be distracted as you watch these services. This is not the time to miss out on anything the Lord is saying to you.
3. Do not stop tithing and giving-We say that for your sake not for the sake of Northsmoke Church. We understand the enemy is now trying to spread fears about the economy. God is your source and your financial seed secures your financial future. If you stop giving in fear of famine or in the midst of famine, the famine will overtake you. If you sow in spite of famine you will prosper in the midst of famine. There are 4 different ways that you can give:
MAM.TV-You can go to MAM.TV and click on the “Northsmoke Giving” tab (or just click here https://app.easytithe.com/app/giving/northsmoke)
Text-To-Give-You can give via text message by texting 618-364-8441
Mail-You can mail a check to the church (3301 Harvard Pl, Collinsville, IL)
Drop Off-You can drop your offering off at the church on Mondays between 10:00-2:00. Please text us before you bring your offering so that we know you’re coming.
4. Stay connected with each other-Connect with your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Don’t allow the enemy to isolate you. Call people, check on them, fellowship via a phone call, text message, facetime or get together with each other, if you’re comfortable doing that.
5. Feed your faith and starve every fear-Press into God. Press into His Word. Make sure you watch the Faith For Life broadcasts every day. I would strongly encourage you to go back and watch last Sunday’s service over and over again until it gets rooted in your heart. Go through the scriptures that we went through in the service in your own study time. The Lord laid out the approach that we (Northsmoke Church) are taking in response to this virus. Also, spend as little time as you possibly can on social media and watching the news. The enemy has hijacked those things and they are fear distributors. If you spend your time listening to things that feed fear into you, it will be impossible for you to walk in victory over fear.
6. We are here for you-Our staff (Myself, Amber, Pastor Ron & Pastor Debi) is praying for you. We want to help you and support you as much as we possibly can. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support of any kind. We are here for you!
We love you and are standing on the Word of God in faith with you. Our stance hasn’t changed, the corona virus will not come near us! We also are believing that by the power of God this virus will die quickly!
I’ll leave you with this verse. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ.”
We love you all!
Matthew & Amber