February 26, 2022: Update

February 26, 2022

Dear Church Family, 

Grace and peace to you. 

Many of you know that our state lifted the mask mandate for most indoor public spaces a couple weeks ago. As a Council, rather than react, we asked for your grace as we sought to seek guidance and prayerfully discern our best course of action as a congregation. With much prayer, our Council has agreed to lift our mask mandate as well. We do this with regards to the following:

·  Low % Positivity Rate: We are grateful that case numbers have decreased since the Omicron wave. We are grateful that we are not seeing numbers that are overwhelming our hospital systems here in Suffolk County.

·  High Immunization Rate: We are grateful that God has provided for us various resources to fight/prevent COVID-19. We are grateful that the vaccine also has helped lessen the impact of infection.

·  Cooperation: We are grateful for our congregation's cooperation in the protocols that were set. We are grateful that regardless of our personal opinions, we were able to be united as a church so that we can do our best to continue to love God and love our neighbors.

Much gratitude for Elisa Mancuso, our Council member and in-house medical professional who has and will continue to provide counsel for us. I am also grateful for masks; masks helped us prevent any spread and sustain in-person gatherings. Therefore, if you would like for personal reasons, you may feel free to continue to wear masks as a proactive measure. The Council continues to encourage hand washing or utilizing of the hand sanitizer upon entering the church campus.

Thank you all, again, for having grace and patience during these uncertain times. As a church, let us continue to be prayerful and prudent as we journey together. If you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to reach out to any Council member. 

With love in Christ,

Rev. James J. Lee, on behalf of the Church Council

February 11, 2022: Update

February 11, 2022
Dear Christ Community Family,

Grace and peace to you. It has been nearly 700 days since the COVID-19 Pandemic uprooted everything that we once considered normal. We have seen so much division around our community, nation and our world regarding policy about how to deal with and navigate this pandemic. Thankfully, with the leadership of Elisa Mancuso, our Council member and in-house medical professional, we have been very fortunate and blessed to be ahead of the curve in making our decisions and adhering to advice and counsel of our state and national medical professionals. The Church Council has been able to stand united in ensuring that we do what we can to protect those among us who may be immunocompromised while doing whatever we can to stay in-person for our corporate worship gatherings. We give thanks that due to these decisions throughout the pandemic, we have been able to utilize technology in ways that we could never have even fathomed before. We give thanks that due to these decisions throughout the pandemic, we did not experience a COVID-19 spread amongst our church family that caused a major shutdown. Looking back, every single decision we have made was never reactionary.

Many of you know that this past week, our governor made a decision to relax the mask mandate for indoor public places that do not have a vaccination requirement. Therefore, once again, like before, rather than react, our Church Council hopes to take the next few weeks to hold the status quo, prayerfully discern, before making an official decision at our next in-person meeting. We are grateful that the intention of every decision we have made has been focused on loving God and loving our neighbors. We hope to continue to do the same as we look forward to the days and weeks to come where we can be together without concern of this pandemic. Please continue to be prayerful for all that have been impacted throughout this pandemic.

With love in Christ,

Rev. James J. Lee, on behalf of the Church Council

December 11, 2021: Update

December 10, 2021

Dear Christ Community Family,

With much prayer and discernment, the Council has decided to adhere to the new mask mandate introduced by our state governor regardless of vaccination status. This new mandate is in place if an institution, business or organization does not have a vaccination mandate, which our congregation does not.

The Council asks that you continue to be mindful, and prayerful as we continue to live in this health crisis. The Council also wants to encourage you to utilize the virtual ministry opportunities we have if you are not feeling well. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

June 3, 2021: Update

June 3, 2021

Dear Christ Community Family,

It has been over a year since the start of this pandemic. But I praise God that we are able to see some light at the end of this tunnel. I praise God for our medical professionals who have gone above and beyond in this health battle.

As many of you know, the CDC and our state's Department of Health have adjusted their guidelines in regards to face-coverings for those vaccinated with fellow vaccinated people. Rather than rush to decisions, our Church Council committed to two weeks of prayer and discernment before deliberating on what these new adjusted guidelines will look like for our church family moving forward. After our meeting last night, I am grateful to share with you some updates:

First, in order to continue to provide a safe environment for those that are most vulnerable in our church family, the Council has decided that Sunday Worship will be Outdoor Church on our front lawn beginning this Sunday, June 6 all the way through Sunday, September 5, Labor Day Weekend. Being outdoors will give us the space and opportunity to spend time in fellowship with one another and take a small step in relaxing some of our COVID-19 Protocols. In the case of inclement weather, we will be worshipping indoors in our sanctuary.

Second, following CDC guidelines, the Council has decided that for those of us who have been vaccinated, face-coverings will not be mandated going forward for our church gatherings. Now I know some of us have questions about the vaccine, and we are blessed to have some medical professionals in our church family who are willing to answer any questions to bring clarity for those of you interested.

Third, our Council would like for all of us as a church family to renew and continue our commitment to a spirit of graciousness and love. For many of us we are ready to rip off those face coverings. For many of us, we are not ready yet. Some of us may even choose to utilize our face coverings regardless of vaccination status and that is okay!

This is going to take time for adjustment. This announcement and update doesn't mean you can stop your hand washing and hygiene practices. This doesn't mean we're trying to revert back to what we once thought was normal. This announcement is to say, thank you to all of you who have adhered to our church's COVID-19 Protocols. Thank you to our Council for being ahead of the curve in making decisions that continue to keep us together as a church family while being mindful of those that are more vulnerable physically. And as we adjust to these new guidelines set from the CDC, this is to commit to a continued spirit of graciousness as we grow together as one church family.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please speak with a Council member or myself.

With Love in Christ,
Pastor James & Church Council

May Update

May 15, 2021

Dear Christ Community Friends & Family,

This has been a hard season for all of us. This pandemic has brought much trauma and loss than one could have ever imagined. Throughout this pandemic we have witnessed much brokenness in our world. But thanks be to God for His redeeming power of the gospel. Praise God for technology because as a church family, we have not lost a beat and have continued ministry through Zoom, YouTube, Facebook Live, and in-person gatherings with COVID-19 Protocols. I thank God for our church leadership in being ahead of the curve, in being prayerful, and in discerning well what's best for our congregation.

As many of you know this past week, the CDC shared a recent announcement that vaccinated people can go without wearing masks in most indoor and outdoor environments. This is big news! So in light of this update, I'd like to share some immediate thoughts for our church family and a couple requests:

First, the next two Sundays, May 16 and 23, we will continue our standard COVID-19 Protocols that we had already put in place with our in-house medical professionals. As much as I want to return to a sense of normalcy, it is important for the Council to be thoughtful and diligent in processing and assessing all the research, studies and reports through much prayer and wisdom. Council is scheduled to meet Wednesday, June 2. Please pray for us as Council decides the pathway forward as a church family!

Second, on Sunday, May 30, we will be having Outdoor Church on our front lawn. COVID-19 Protocols are different with indoor and outdoor settings. We hope that having an outdoor worship service with less stringent COVID-19 Protocols will also be a step in the direction of the new normalcy that many of us seek.

Third, COVID-19 Protocols and Updates have been heavily politicized. Mask wearing has also been a source of heated debates in numerous circles. My hope for our church family is that we can continue to have a spirit of graciousness. There will be some that are more comfortable than others with and without masks. I ask that we continue to work to ensure that these spaces with our church family are not places of contention.

Last but not least, let us be patient. The light is at the end of the tunnel! The world will want us to rush and become divided. But if you look back throughout the pandemic, God has worked no matter what! From Professions of Faith, to Baptisms, Elder Installation, launching of new life groups, and more! God has been on the move! Let us not forget that! Let us lean into that faith, trust in God's timing, and continue to push forward as a church family. As always, if you'd like to bring up any concerns or suggestions, please don't hesitate to reach out to one of our Council members. The Council will share updates immediately after our meeting in a couple weeks.

May the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding be with you all!

God's Blessings,
Pastor James

February Update

Dear Church Family,

We reverted back to in-person gatherings after the COVID exposure on Sunday, January 24. We continue to be vigilant in adhering to all COVID-19 Protocols set by our Church Council based on CDC guidelines and recommendations from our Department of Health. We continue to do what we can to ensure that all church gatherings are accessible via Zoom for those of you who may be feeling under the weather. Even in this unique season that we are living in, may we never back down from proclaiming Christ while we are gathered and scattered. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

God’s Blessings,

Pastor James

Special Council Report

January 7, 2021

Dear Christ Community Family,

Grace and peace to you. This message is to inform you that on Tuesday, January 5, the Church Council was notified of a positive COVID-19 case among one of our church members. This member was not in attendance at our in-person Worship Service on Sunday, January 3. However, this church member was in the church building on Monday, January 4. The Church Council met via Zoom on Wednesday, January 6, and in response and out of abundance of caution, we have decided the following:

·         All in-person gatherings will be suspended through Saturday, January 23

o   Sunday Worship, Ladies’ Bible Study, Thursday Night Prayer, Men’s Bible Study, Youth Group, Young Adult Group, are not canceled but will meet virtually via Zoom and Facebook Live.

·         In-house contact tracing has begun to see whether other church members were exposed.

·         Deep cleaning of the entire church building will occur by the end of this week.

We encourage you to review the CDC website for further details and information. We ask that you continue to stay vigilant, wash your hands, wear your face coverings, and social distance. We know that this is a fluid situation, so we pray that God’s grace leads and guides us all. We will continue to notify you if we have any new updates. In addition, we ask that you continue to be prayerful for our church family. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

In Christ,

Church Council

Rev. James Lee, Mel Van Essendelft, Ed Zalewski, Amy Frank, Faye Guercio, Elisa Mancuso

Special Council Report

November 4, 2020

Dear Christ Community Family,

Grace and peace to you. Over the past several months after each Council meeting, I have written this report to you so that our church leadership can be transparent and detailed during this unique season we are living through. I hope this has been helpful and that this has helped us to be on the same page as we journey together as one church family. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to speak with one of our Council members.

Sunday Worship Gatherings
We have prayerfully assessed and decided that we do not need to add any additional services during this time. We want to thank all of our church family for doing your part in adhering to all the protocols and guidelines so that we can continue to gather in-person safely. We have officially decided to continue with Indoor Worship in the Sanctuary with the Fellowship Hall being used as an Overflow Room until the end of 2020. We understand that this is a fluid situation but at the same time, for the sake of stability, we have decided to hold steady with how we have been worshiping over the past couple weeks.

The two guiding principles that have and will continue to lead our Council in our decision making process is: (1) Loving God! (2) Loving One Another! In addition:

• The Council has committed to continue to adhere to all Social Distancing Guidelines to provide a safe space for in-person worship.

• The Council has approved and implemented use of our new audio/visual equipment to better our livestream capabilities and Virtual Worship. The Council has committed to making Virtual Worship has engaging as possible for those who may not be comfortable with in-person gatherings or for those that are unable to attend in-person gatherings for various reasons.

Dates to Remember

• Sunday, December 13: Congregational Meeting. 11:30am. (immediately following service). All members are strongly encouraged to attend.

• Sunday, December 20: Virtual Trivia Fun. 4pm. via Zoom.

  • In lieu of our Annual Christmas Party & Gift Exchange, we will be hosting a special time of fellowship and activities (WITH PRIZES!!!)

• Thursday, December 24: Christmas Eve Service. 6pm. @ Sanctuary. All social distance guidelines and protocols like our Sunday Worship Gatherings will be implemented.

I pray for God's peace that surpasses all understanding to lead you and guide you as we continue to journey together as CHRIST COMMUNITY.

With Love in Christ,

Rev. James Lee
and the Christ Community Church Council

Social Distancing Guidelines & Indoor Worship Protocols

Social Distancing Guidelines & Indoor Worship Protocols
As we continue to adhere to state guidelines in our response to COVID-19, we as a church have already implemented:
1. Proper signage regarding hygiene and COVID-19 has been placed all around the church campus
2. Bathrooms are limited and only accessible to ONE-PERSON at a time.
3. Hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed throughout the church campus.
4. PPE (disposable face masks) have been readily available. 

As we look to Indoor Worship for the next four weeks, we have and plan to implement the following:
1. Face coverings (masks) will be required inside the church building at all times
2. We have marked off pews with 6-feet distance with clear signage 
3. We will implement temperature checks and ensure that individuals do not have a temperature over 100.4*F
4. We will have ushers guiding you to the allotted pews
5. Ushers will be creating a chart to see where people are sitting to assist with contact tracing
6. We have removed all pew bibles and hymnals
7. After COVID-19, our worship liturgy has went from singing four songs (excluding the Doxology) to now two
8. Offering Plates will not be passed around, and will be available as a drop-off by the Info Desk
9. With COVID-19 guidelines, we are limited to 50% capacity in the sanctuary. For our space, that is 57 people total.
10. We will be creating an Overflow Space with Livestream available in the Fellowship Hall for those that would like to utilize increased space while being in church.
11. Our church has been gifted with a new disinfectant sprayer/mister that we will utilize to disinfect the space in the sanctuary before and after worship
12. We will also be leaving the windows and doors open in the sanctuary for air flow and ventilation.

Special Council Report

October 8, 2020

Dear Christ Community Family,

Grace and peace to you all. This email is to serve as a special report to you regarding some important decisions that your Council made last night. These decisions were made after much discussion and prayer. If you have any questions regarding these decisions, please speak with one of our Council members.

Sunday Worship Gatherings
We have prayerfully decided to move our worship indoors immediately, beginning this Sunday, October 11. As this is a fluid situation, the Council has decided to only commit to worship indoors in the sanctuary for the next four weeks (Sunday, November 1). In preparation for Indoor Worship, the Council spent time reviewing state guidelines and resources provided by the C.D.C. It is our hope and commitment to continue to adhere to all social distancing guidelines recommended. Our next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. We hope to discern and reassess the needs of our congregation before deciding on how to proceed. The two guiding principles that have led our Council for the past seven months have been: (1) Loving God! (2) Loving One Another! The following are further details in regards to the background of our decision:

(1) The Council gives God all praise and honor for incredible weather (except for that one week) while we did Outdoor Worship. As the weather gets cooler, the Council knew that we needed to make a decision one way or the other. 

(2) The Council is committed to adhering to all Social Distancing Guidelines and have set protocols based on the guidelines (see below) which we hope will continue to provide for a safe space for in-person worship.

(3) The Council has had conversations in regards to potentially having multiple services to provide more space in the sanctuary if necessary. We hope to discern over the next few weeks what is needed before making any adjustments and decisions on Tuesday, November 3. 

(4) The Council has approved purchases to improve our livestreaming equipment. Our Virtual Worship Opportunities via Facebook Live will not be changed in the foreseeable future. We hope to continue to improve the Virtual Worship experience for those that may not be comfortable with in-person gatherings, or for those that are unable to attend in-person gatherings for various reasons. 

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Last night after our Council meeting I spent some time in prayer and reflection over the past seven months. Each and every decision has not been easy. There is so much uncertainty out there! "Are we going to have a second wave?" "When are we ever going to get back to normal?" "Is COVID-19 ever going to go away?" And the list of questions can go on! Each decision weighed heavily on my heart as your pastor because I want to please everybody. But at the end of the day, I can't. And that is why I am eternally grateful for our Council. Each decision that we have made over the past seven months have not been reactionary. We have spent time in prayer and fruitful discussion. Each decision has proved to be wise and timely. God has continued to shower down His protection over our church. We had 10 online-only Virtual Worship Services. We had 5 Drive-In Worship Services. We had 12 Outdoor Worship Services and 2 Indoor Worship Services due to inclement weather. And after 29-weeks, we will be back indoors in the sanctuary for worship - that will not look like how it did back on March 15. But the God we worship hasn't changed. He is still in control. May we hold onto that gospel hope as we prayerfully continue to grow together as CHRIST COMMUNITY. 

With Love in Christ,

Rev. James Lee
on behalf of the Christ Community Church Council

Special Council Report

September 2, 2020

Dear Christ Community Family,

Grace and peace to you all. This email is to serve as a report to you regarding some important decisions that your Council made last night. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to any of the Council members.

1. Sunday Worship Gatherings
We have decided to continue with "Outdoor Worship" on the front lawn of our church campus through Sunday, October 4. We will then reassess and see where we our as a church at our next Council Meeting, on Tuesday, October 6, in addition to seeing where our state guidelines and situation is, before making our next decision. We have made this decision knowing that this can be a fluid situation but also because of the following:

(a) This will allow us to continue to come together for corporate in-person worship as a congregation while adhering to social distancing guidelines and state/federal government guidelines. 

(b) This will allow church leadership to be pastorally sensitive to many that have differing levels of comfort in regards to in-person gatherings.

(c) Being in an outdoor space enables us to fellowship safely with distance as we continue to yearn to be CHRIST COMMUNITY.
 
We will continue to provide "Virtual Worship" opportunities via Facebook Live every Sunday at 10:30 am. In the case of inclement weather, we will transition indoors into our Sanctuary AND Fellowship Hall. Decisions on whether Sunday Worship will be outdoor or indoors will be made Sundays before 9:00 am. 

2. Sermon Discussion Gathering (PRS)
We will be launching a Sermon Discussion Gathering on Sundays at 9:30 am-10:15 am beginning September 13 to provide an opportunity to hear and unpack scripture together (specifically from that day's sermon passage). This will be open to all-ages. 

3. Important Dates To Remember
(a) Ladies' Bible Study will be launching their Fall Term on Tuesday, September 15 at 10:00 am. If you have any questions, please speak with Tickie or Evelyn. This bible study will be hybrid and will be available on-site and online. 

(b) Weekly Prayer Meetings will re-launch on Thursday, September 17 at 7:00pm via Zoom. This will be online only. 

(c) Men's Bible Study will be launching their Fall Term on Saturday, September 19 at 7:00am. If you have any questions, please speak with Mel. This bible study will be hybrid and will be available on-site and online. 

(d) Profession of Faith: Maddie Lanberg and Sophia Zalewski will be making their profession of faith on Sunday, September 20 in our Worship Service. Please continue to keep them in your prayers!

(e) Baptism: Naomi Lee will be baptized into the covenant family on Sunday, October 18 in our Worship Service. Please continue to keep the Lee family in your prayers as well. 

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Last night at our Council Meeting we reflected on how God has been working in our church even through this world pandemic! From bible studies, outreach projects, prayer meetings, worship services, devotional videos, launching new life groups and even to unpacking scripture together with a fellow Reformed Church 30 minutes away! (Thanks, Zoom!) We have been blessed beyond measure through God's protection and guidance. We don't know what this Fall Season has in store for us. But what we do know, is that God will continue to reign over our lives! God will continue to be in control! May that gospel hope and the things we've announced in this Council Report encourage you as we continue to grow together as CHRIST COMMUNITY!

With Love in Christ,

Rev. James Lee
on behalf of the Christ Community Church Council

Change of Plans for Worship This Sunday >>>

Dear Christ Community Family,

Grace and peace to you. Due to the inclement weather in the forecast, we will be moving worship indoors into the sanctuary for this morning's worship service on Sunday, August 16, 2020.

If you plan on joining us for worship in person, here's what to expect:

- We will be following local, state, and federal guidelines in respects to social distancing, temperature checks, and face coverings (masks).

- Please stay home if you are sick, might be sick, or have had any symptoms in the last 72 hours. Please join us on Facebook Live.

- Please utilize the Main Entrance as you come into the church building, and the side entrance as you exit. We are going to try to have "one way" paths in the sanctuary marked for you on the floor.

- Please observe all signs posted in the church building. 

- Pews have been marked off for physical distance.

- Offering Plates will be available near the entrance of the sanctuary.

- Hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves will be available if needed.

- We ask that you do not congregate/fellowship within the church building but step outside to an open space.

- The basement Fellowship Hall has been set-up as an Overflow Space for those of you who would like to still worship together in the building but would like more space.

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Thanks for your continued cooperation and grace as we continue to navigate through uncharted waters, love our neighbors, and keep everyone's health in mind. We hope to see you online via Facebook Live or in-person in our sanctuary.

God's Blessings,

Pastor James
on behalf of the Christ Community Church Council

Change of Plans for Worship This Sunday >> Details

August 1, 2020

Dear Christ Community Family,

Grace and peace to you. Due to the inclement weather in the forecast, we will be moving worship indoors into the sanctuary for tomorrow, Sunday, August 2, 2020.

If you plan on joining us for worship in person, here's what to expect:

- We will be following local, state, and federal guidelines in respects to social distancing, temperature checks, and face coverings (masks).

- Please stay home if you are sick, might be sick, or have had any symptoms in the last 72 hours. Please join us on Facebook Live.

- Please utilize the Main Entrance as you come into the church building, and the side entrance as you exit. We are going to try to have "one way" paths in the sanctuary marked for you on the floor.

- Please observe all signs posted in the church building. 

- Pews have been marked off for physical distance.

- Offering Box will be available near the entrance of the sanctuary.

- Hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves will be available if you would like.

- We ask that you do not congregate/fellowship within the church building but step outside to an open space.

- The basement Fellowship Hall has been set-up as an Overflow Space for those of you who would like to still worship together in the building but would like more space.

========================

Thanks for your continued cooperation and grace as we navigate through uncharted waters, love our neighbors, and keep everyone's health in mind. We hope to see you online via Facebook Live or in-person in our sanctuary.

God's Blessings,

Rev. James Lee
on behalf of the Christ Community Church Council

Special Council Report

July 8, 2020

Dear Christ Community Family,

Grace and peace to you all. This email is to serve as a report to you regarding some important decisions that your Council made last night. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to any of the Council members.

1. Sunday Worship Gatherings
We have decided to continue "Outdoor Worship" on the front lawn of our church campus throughout the Summer until Sunday, September 6. This collective decision is based on the following:

(a) This will allow us to continue to come together for in-person worship as a congregation while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

(b) This will allow church leadership to be pastorally sensitive to many that have differing levels of comfort in regards to in-person gatherings.

(c) This will allow our church to continue to adhere to guidelines set by our state and federal government.

At the same time, we will continue to provide "Virtual Worship" opportunities via Facebook Live every Sunday at 10:30 am. In the case of inclement weather, we have crafted a plan of action to transition indoors into our Sanctuary AND Fellowship Hall with strict restrictions. The Sanctuary has already been marked off with distance and the Fellowship Hall will be available to serve as an "Overflow Room." Further details and protocols will be made available throughout the church building. Decisions on whether Sunday Worship will be outdoor or indoors will be made Sundays before 9:00 am. 

2. Outreach Opportunities
The Deacons this weekend will be introducing Outreach Opportunities for us as a congregation to participate in throughout the next several months. Please check your emails as a separate email will be sent for further details about our two projects that will be ongoing for the next several weeks and months!

3. Summer Fellowship (Koinonia)
We have decided to postpone our Community Groups and the Annual All-Church BBQ until further notice. At the same time, as one of the core values of our church is "community," the Council hopes to continue to foster community this summer in personable ways. The Council members have each been delegated a "Care Group," where we will be calling, texting, emailing, praying and encouraging you when we can! We hope to be available as well to hear how you're doing and pray for you! Don't hesitate to reach out, if you need anything! :) 

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This season has been tiresome for many people. Amid that fatigue, our Council has been incredibly diligent in being prayerful and wise in their collective decisions. I want to commend each and every one of our Council members as each decisions that has been made the past several weeks and months have not been made out of fear, but out of faithful discernment. Please continue to encourage your Council members for a job well done during this season of unknown that we have traversed. Our Lord has been with our church every single step of the way, and by God's grace, each decision that our Council has made has been so timely! For that, I am grateful. May we continue to lift each other up in prayer as we go about this week! 


With Love in Christ,

Rev. James Lee
on behalf of the Christ Community Church Council

Special Council Report

June 3, 2020

Dear Christ Community Family,

Grace and peace to you all. This email is to report to you two important decisions that your Council made last night. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to any Council members. 

1. Drive-In Worship
Based on the Congregational Surveys that were submitted and after much prayerful discernment, we have decided to continue with Drive-In Worship for the month of June with Facebook Live streaming available. (6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28). This decision is based on the following:

(a) This will allow for us to continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines, wearing face coverings, no contact, car windows closed, etc. - while coming together for in-person worship.

(b) This will allow church leadership to be pastorally sensitive to those that have different levels of comfort in regards to in-person contact.

(c) This will allow the church to continue to adhere to the guidelines set by our state government. (Source).

(d) In addition, the majority in the Congregational Survey mentioned the yearning to come together in-person, but with strict social distancing guidelines and restrictions.

(d) In the case of bad weather, we will transition to a "Hybrid" form of Worship for that specific weekend. Those that have signed up on this Google Form, will be notified and invited to join, with strict social distancing guidelines  (10 people). Everyone else will be invited to participate via Facebook Live. Those decisions will be made weekly by Saturday, 12:00 pm in conjunction with the Worship Resource email that goes out to each of you. 

(e) Council will reassess at our July Meeting before sharing further decisions on our Sunday Worship Gatherings. We continue to strive to be prayerful amid all our decisions. 

2. Our Church's Response
In light of what is going on across our nation, I have shared some thoughts that I hope will be helpful to us to reflect on. You can find the video here. In addition, the Council has decided to commit to a "7 Day Prayer Chain" beginning this coming Sunday, June 7. More details will be shared this weekend. We hope to respond to the violence against African-Americans, Law Enforcement and more with the power of prayer as we ask the Lord for repentance, reconciliation, peace and a change of heart across our nation. 

As always, if you have any pastoral care requests, please don't hesitate to reach out. I would love to continue to be listening, praying and encouraging. Our Church Council is also available for whatever needs you may have. May we never forget the power and necessity of the Holy Spirit as we remember the Pentecost this week. 

With Love in Christ,
Pastor James

Questions about Re-Opening

There have been several questions about when we are re-opening our church building and when we are reconvening our in-person gatherings on our church campus. We continue to monitor updates from the Suffolk County Department of Health and we as a church leadership are prayerfully preparing a phase by phase plan to introduce to the congregation in a the next couple of weeks. Although it’s already been over two months that we have been on PAUSE, our ministries have continued on even stronger than ever!

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We encourage you to participate in our virtual ministry opportunities.

In Christ,

Pastor James

& Church Council

Continued PAUSE

We as a church continue to PAUSE our in-person meetings, but have been very blessed to CONTINUE our ministries with various means of technology. From Facebook, to YouTube, to Zoom, we have been “meeting” regularly even amid this health crisis. The church building continues to be closed to all public gatherings but our church council is monitoring the situation regularly. If you have any questions regarding our church’s response, please contact (631) 581-8188 or admin@cccei.org

Thank you! Stay safe and healthy!

God’s Blessings,

Pastor James

& Church Council

AA Meeting Update & Resources

Due to the ongoing health crisis and the fight against COVID-19, the AA Meetings that occurred in our church building are now meeting virtually:

Meetings are held via Zoom everyday at 12:00 pm. Meeting ID # 624 801 020

East Islip/Great River - specific meeting information will be shared at a later time.

For the security of all the participants, meetings will be locked 10 minutes after they start.

March 27 - Update 6

March 27, 2020

Dear Christ Community Family,

Grace and peace to you wherever you may be. As I reflect upon this past week, everything seemed out of ordinary. Nothing seemed routine. But then I realized, I had totally forgotten that we were in the season of Lent because of how much our conversations have been surrounded by the COVID-19 virus that our state and nation is battling. And that's when I realized, that our sovereign God provides us timely reminders to come back to Him time and time again. So I pray that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us the living hope, that ultimate hope we need each day during this season. Although we are unable to spend time together in person, I encourage you to share that hope with a phone call, text message or card to your brother or sister-in-Christ! May we continue to hold each other in prayer as a church family. Blessings!

With love in Christ,
Pastor James

I. Bible Study Details
Men's Bible Study will meet Saturday, March 28 at 7:00 am, and Ladies Bible Study will meet Tuesday, March 31 at 10:00 am.

Both Bible Studies will be meeting on Zoom. You can follow along with the instructions below, or utilize the PDF that was uploaded on our church's Facebook Group. 

1. On your smart phone or tablet, search for "Zoom" and you'll find an app that says "ZOOM Cloud Meetings." Once you download that app, you can click "Join a Meeting" and type in the Meeting ID # 384 506 8857

2. On a computer, you can click the following link and follow the instructions for downloading and join the meeting. http://zoom.us/3845068857

3. If you are unable to utilize a computer, smart phone, or tablet, feel free to call in from your phone. Dial +16465588656 and then type in the meeting number, 3845068857# and you'll be able to join the meeting.

II. Sunday Worship
Lord's Day Worship for Sunday, March 29 will be streamed live, via Facebook Live on our church's Facebook Page beginning at 10:30 am. Worship litany will be emailed separately to you, uploaded on our church's Facebook Group, and available on our church website. 

III. Special Prayer Gathering
(2 Chronicles 7:14) If my people who are called by my name humble  themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

In light of the current situation we are in, and the season of Lent, we want to continue to come before the Lord as a community of faith in prayer, daily. Monday, March 30 to Friday, April 3, prayer will begin at 7:00 pm. Zoom Call will be available beginning at 6:50 pm for any trouble shooting if necessary. Please utilize the following information to dial in, or log in to the prayer call.

1. On your smart phone or tablet, search for "Zoom" and you'll find an app that says "ZOOM Cloud Meetings." Once you download that app, you can click "Join a Meeting" and type in the Meeting ID # 384 506 8857

2. On a computer, you can click the following link and follow the instructions for downloading and join the meeting. http://zoom.us/3845068857

3. If you are unable to utilize a computer, smart phone, or tablet, feel free to call in from your phone. Dial +16465588656 and then type in the meeting number, 3845068857# and you'll be able to join the meeting.

IV. Two Minute Devotionals
In most levels of professional football, the two-minute warning is given when there are two minutes on the game clock. Those two-minutes are quite important and can sometimes determine the entire game. In that spirit, this season of Lent and our ongoing health crisis we are in is also critical and important. It's so important to pursue Christ, dive into God's Word, and pray that much more. 

Pastor James as well as several other pastors from North America will share short devotionals specifically for our church! LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel for constant updates when these new devotionals are uploaded. Feel free to share with your loved ones! 

March 21 - Update 5

March 21, 2020

Dear Christ Community Family,

Thank you once again for your continual prayers and patience for our church leadership during these uncertain and challenging times. But may we be reminded as a community of faith, that His mercies are new every morning. Praying that God's grace abounds for you all during this time. 

Many of you know that our governor announced an executive order banning gatherings of various sizes so that we can continue to do our part to fight and slow down the virus. With that in mind, our Church Council met this morning to make some decisions in regards to our ministries and our church campus for the next couple of weeks. Please pay close attention to the following announcements and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call/text. Please also note that because this is a fluid situation and that technology always doesn't behave, there may be changes and adjustments if necessary to the following announcements. Thanks!

With love in Christ,
Pastor James

I. Sunday Worship Services
(Romans 12:1) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship." 

1. Worship will conducted via Facebook Live on Sunday, March 22, March 29, and April 5 beginning approximately at 10:30 am. 
2. You will receive a separate email with the worship bulletin and liturgy.
3. Sunday Offering can be done in multiple ways
    (a) You can send a check to the Church Address (391 E. Main Street East Islip, NY. 11730). Please note, to make sure you write the Sunday date you would like your offering to be accounted for in the memo line. 
    (b) You can utilize our online giving via Zelle (Using admin@cccei.org), or Paypal, or Venmo. Please note, there is a percentage taken off when you give through Paypal. 
4. Our Baptism Service on Sunday, March 29 has been postponed indefinitely.
5. Our Congregational Photo that was scheduled for Sunday, April 5 will be postponed indefinitely.

II. Bible Studies
(Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

1. Our Tuesday Ladies Bible Study is hoping to meet utilizing Zoom beginning this week. More details will be provided in a separate email.
2. Our Saturday Men's Bible Study will be meeting utilizing Zoom going forward. Details on the link and how you can log in will be shared in a separate email. 

III. Special Prayer Gatherings
(2 Chronicles 7:14) If my people who are called by my name humble  themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

In light of the current situation we are in, and the season of Lent, Pastor James will be hosting a daily prayer gathering on Zoom for the next two weeks. Monday through Friday at 7:00 pm-7:20 pm. (March 23-27, March 30-April 3). More details with the specific links will be shared later. The Council hopes this will be a very important time where we come together as a community of faith in prayer.

IV. Church Campus
(Matthew 16:18) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it

1. The Church Campus will be officially closed to all gatherings (including all outside organizations) indefinitely.
2. AA Meetings have virtual meetings available throughout the week. If you have any interest, please contact Pastor James.

V. Resources & Care
(1 Peter 2:5) You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1. The Church Council would like to provide pastoral care calls throughout this season. The Church Council in addition, would love to provide support and care to any high-risk families or other church families that may be in need. You can always call (631) 581-8188 to connect with our pastor or council member. The Church Council will be having our next meeting on Saturday, April 4 at 8:30 am.
2. Public Reading of Scripture - a special PRS time and gathering hosted by the Grace and Mercy Foundation is available from 7:20 am to 8:30 am (EST) on Fridays via Zoom. Click this link here, and join 5 minutes before the start time if interested. There's also a possibility that Pastor James may be hosting a PRS Gathering on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am - but those details will be shared if available. 
3. Dwell App - This is a wonderful audio Bible app that let's you listen to passages, curated "playlists" of verses, and even daily reading plans. It's usually a premium app, but right now it's for FREE for 60 days with full access for church members. Click the link here to sign up and access for the next two months. A big thanks to our friends at Massapequa Reformed Church.