PASTORAL LETTER TO THE NORTHLAKE FAMILY, 10th edition
NorthlakeChurch
 2614 Ocean Beach Hwy., Longview, WA 98632 • 360.423.3805
• www.northlake-church.org
 
PASTORAL LETTER TO THE NORTHLAKE FAMILY, 10th edition

My Dear Northlake Family,                                                                           September 13, 2021
 
Navigating the COVID landscape is difficult with the recent spike of infections in our local area. As far as we can tell, Northlake has had about two or three dozen test positive for COVID; most have already quarantined and are recovering; only a few were sick enough to be hospitalized; some were vaccinated and some were not and ALL are on the mend and improving now. Praise the Lord!

There continues to be a lot of angst in the PNW regarding vaccines and mandates. Because of all this controversy, endeavoring to maintain unity in the Body of Christ is a challenge, to say the least. No matter which side of the discussion you land on, please work hard to love, honor and respect one another as we navigate these difficult times together.

The severity of COVID infections seems to be intensifying, hospitals are full and many people are starting to push back on being forced to make very difficult decisions about taking the vaccine that will have severe personal consequences for them and for our community. What I am saying is this, there has never been a more important time for the Church to be a praying people than right now. Please continue to pray for God's protection and leadership over his people, our community and nation!

Again... If you are having "cold/flu" symptoms, do yourself and everyone else a favor and PLEASE STAY HOME. Get lots of rest, eat well, drink lots of fluids and watch the Sunday service on Northlake’s YouTube channel.
 
SUNDAYS
We are meeting Sunday mornings in the building:
  1. If you have tested positive for COVID, please inform one of our pastors or elders. The information is very important to us as we manage our congregation's response to the changing pandemic dynamics. The names of those testing positive will be kept within leadership discussions and not be made public.
  2. If you are among the vulnerable (elderly, immune-compromised, have underlying conditions, pregnant, etc.) please consider staying home Sunday’s and join us online.
  3. You are welcome and encouraged to attend our worship gatherings each Sunday. Masks will be made available for those who wish to protect themselves.
  4. We are continuing to provide breakfast between services, from 9:35am-10:05am to allow for relationship building. Of course, you may remove face covering as you eat!
  5. We are all in this together. Your decisions definitely have an impact on those around you. BE SAFE and think about the safety of others.
 
As you already know, Washington’s current mandate requires that we wear face coverings while inside a public building. Therefore, we request that those in attendance wear face coverings while meeting in-person. While many of us have strong opinions on this issue, the issue of face coverings is similar to the “disputable matters” of Paul’s day. Thankfully, the guidance he provided in Romans 14 is timeless and provides practical guidance for our day as well as his.
 
It’s noteworthy that Paul does not take sides or tell his audience what they should believe. Instead, the Bible admonishes us to not pass judgment on one another (vv. 3-4, 10, 13), to walk in love (v. 15), to pursue peace and mutual edification (v. 19), to act in faith and a clear conscience (vv. 22-23), and to keep in mind that they will one day give an account of their actions to God (vv. 10 & 12). Perhaps most importantly, the Bible tells us to keep our beliefs about such things between yourself and God (v. 22), implying that they should not keep trying to change the minds of their brothers and sisters who disagree. As we gather in-person this Fall, it is my prayer that we who have been shown such “unexpected grace” from our King would learn to extend this same grace to each another.
 
We believe this applies to vaccine mandates as well and respect personal convictions. Please consult your medical care provider and make a prayerful decision for what course of action to take.
 
RISK STATEMENT
Transmission prevention measures are being implemented at the church in a variety of ways—we have installed air purifiers that are in constant use in our main worship facility—they are highly-rated to help eliminate bacteria and viruses.
 
Please understand, even with significant effort to prevent transmission, it is impossible for us to guarantee that our facilities are absolutely virus free. When attending our worship services, or any large gathering, you are doing so at your own risk. Northlake Church is not responsible for any exposure to COVID-19. At this time, if you are considered to be at-risk, we suggest you participate in Northlake’s ministries through the online worship services, phone, or any other variety of digital communication options.
SPECIAL NOTE:
The masking mandate is in place until further direction is provided by our governor. That said, we want to be very sensitive to those for whom wearing a face covering is a health risk or an emotional trigger.
 
WE LOVE YOU! We realize that some will not be able to wear the recommended face coverings, but we still want to remain connected. We ask that when we gather, we will all be extra-vigilant about maintaining social distancing. Let’s determine well ahead of time that we will not shame or pressure either those who choose to wear a face covering or those who simply cannot—for reasons they do not need to explain. We will not be unkind to one another or speak badly about or to one another. We have done well in this area; we appreciate your prayerful and caring participation when gathering. Thank you!
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
Childcare for infants and toddlers with one class for 1st-5th grade will be provided during main worship at 10:15am. IMPORTANT NOTE: children under 5 are not required to mask; older children should be encouraged to do so.
 
Children DO NOT UNDERSTAND SOCIAL DISTANCING so please be aware that participation in children’s ministries assumes risk—the participation of your child assumes you are choosing to recognize this risk. We do our best to maintain a safe and healthy environment, but participation assumes risk you are choosing to take.
 
Our children’s pastor, Lise Taylor, will also continue emailing families simple lessons you can do with your children at home! We continue to send out a weekly email called Northlake Weekly that includes an introduction to the Sunday message and other announcements to keep you informed and engaged in ministry. It is also challenging to staff this ministry so if you are willing and available to come and help, please contact Pastor Lise at northlake.church.info@gmail.com

YOUTH MINISTRIES
NORTHLAKE YOUTH MEETINGS are continuing in-person in the worship auditorium on Wednesday evenings from 6pm-8pm. Current mandate requirements apply to the youth ministry as well. Students should enter the main entrance by 6pm and picked up at the gym at 8pm.
 
GIVING  The church office continues to be closed until further notice though staff are present Monday-Thursday (they are permitted to work from home if they prefer). Your worship through giving can be done online at www.northlake-church.org or via mail: Northlake Church, 2614 Ocean Beach Hwy., Longview, WA 98632. You can also slip an envelope under the church office door. The Giving Booth and Giving Kiosk will also be available in the auditorium on Sunday mornings.
 
LIFE GROUPS are launching Fall Groups the week of September 26. There are currently no restrictions applying to home gatherings. You can agree as a group what protocols to observe, if any. Our church facility has plenty of space for distancing and air purifiers are in constant use. Please make use of our facility to meet if you are at all uncomfortable to open your home to external exposure at this time. We will be providing a group guide that provides some structure and resourcing. Our Fall Life Group season will conclude the week of December 5.
 
FRESH START prayer continues to meet every weekday morning from 6:30am-7:30am in the worship auditorium. Israel Watch follows from 7:30am-8:30am. There is plenty of room to accommodate social distancing for this on-going opportunity to gather and pray in these crucial times. Safe protocols are required though it is now permitted to remove your face covering to use the mike.
PROTOCOLS
The personal protocol for prevention remains:
  •  Wash your hands often with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds
  • Wear face coverings
  • Maintain social distance with others of 6 feet
  • Refrain from hand-shaking at the present time, use hand sanitizer, as possible
  • Remain home if you are sick
During the week, we continue to urge those in the more vulnerable categories to remain at home as much as possible: those with compromised immune systems; those over 60 years of age; those with a history of breathing issues, e.g., you have had pneumonia; people who have serious chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease.
 
If you are sick or showing symptoms in any way: please remain at home until you recover. If you become sick and test positive for COVID-19, please notify all those you came into contact with and may have exposed for up to 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms—simply tell them you have tested positive and they should get tested as soon as possible and self-quarantine to slow the spread of the virus.
 
IF THE EXPOSURE TO OTHERS TOOK PLACE ON A SUNDAY MORNING or at any other Northlake Ministry gathering, please inform the appropriate staff person as soon as possible.
 
We are doing most of our communications via email and the website: www.northlake-church.org Please provide your current email address if you would like to receive these weekly emails: northlake.church.info@gmail.com 
                                          
Praying with you and for you! Pastor Mark