March 13, 2020

Beloved NEFC Church Family,

Many of you have been following the news as the Northwest in particular has received national attention due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus. We are grieving the loss of life along with the families in mourning, and lives severely interrupted. We are focused in our prayers for our region, our state and our community and others around the world who have been deeply impacted by this virus. I want to share a few thoughts as to how we can lead as the Church in this crisis.

It is easy to find ourselves in a place a fear, but this is not where or who we are called to be. I encourage you to turn down the news or close your internet browser for a moment. Rest and find peace in Jesus. He is the fortress to turn to when you need refuge. Your North Eugene Faith Center family members (pastors, staff, teachers, brothers and sisters in Christ) are here for you. You are not alone, and do not need to let fear take over. Text us. Call us. Write us. Check in with each other and pray for each other.

For those of you with suppressed or compromised immune systems, please take all necessary precautions to maintain your health. We will be open for services this Sunday and worship together as a family during our regular service time at 10:00 AM. Out of respect for each other, we respectfully ask that anyone with flu-like symptoms stay home. We love you dearly and feel this is an important step to take, not out of fear, but out of neighborly love for each other. We are hurriedly getting the recordings of our weekly services online and can be found at  http://www.northeugenefaithcenter.org/

If you are sick, we would love to pray for you and with you! There are two ways to confidentially request prayer: (1) Please email [email protected] or  (2) email [email protected]  and let us know how we can be praying. We will reach out to you and pray with you. Actually you could email or text any of the Pastors and staff.

Please join us in prayer with the rest of the Foursquare family and Christians around the world. Will you pray with us today that our God—who is not surprised by or overwhelmed by this disease—would bring us peace, health and wisdom? That He will miraculously show up in this difficult circumstance and reveal His mercy and His power?

We also pray:
– For supernatural protection and healing for all those infected or at risk of infection.
– That God would preserve the health of those who serve in affected areas.
– That we may walk in faith, believing He is Jehovah Rapha—the Lord who heals—and remembering that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” —2 Tim. 1:7 | (NKJV).

“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge…”—Psalm 91:2-4 | (NKJV)

We are in this together! We are the body of Christ, the family of God. And as North Eugene Faith Center Church, we will continually endeavor to be a light in our community during this season of darkness, a people of hope in a time of fear, and the hands and feet of Jesus to those who need a touch from our Lord Jesus Christ.

We love you and are praying for you,

Pastor Mike and Nancy Lawrence

PS: Every surface that we can think of has been wiped down with disinfectant – from the nurseries, to the sanctuary, bathrooms, kitchen, doorknobs, musical instruments, to the offering plates. These precautions have been taken and there is plenty of hand sanitizer, soap and water available for hand washing. Please refrain from shaking hands or giving hugs for right now.

PS-2: Though we will need to limit public gatherings, the financial needs of the church (your tithes and offerings) continue uninterrupted. Tithing/Giving through the website (http://www.northeugenefaithcenter.org/) at the Give icon in the upper right corner of the webpage is available, and we encourage people to continue in their giving. If giving online is something that you’ve never done before, then please let us know so that we can help you to navigate it. It is safe and secure.  Alternatively, you are welcome to mail tithe and offering checks to the Church office at NEFC, 151 River Avenue, Eugene OR 97404, or to NEFC, PO Box 40953, Eugene OR 97404.

“Love God and Love People.”

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, that was His reply:

“Love God and Love People.”

Jesus

went on to say that everything that is in the Law, and everything commanded by the Prophets hangs on these two Laws.

“Love God and Love People.”

At North Eugene Faith Center it is our heart to foster an environment where people can gather and learn how to

Love God and Love People.

It is our desire that everyone know they are welcomed and loved in this faith community regardless of their background, beliefs or identity.

Come be with us Sunday morning at 10:00 A.M.

for Fellowship, Worship, and the Word. Experience a Church that is centered around Love, Community, and Relationship. We look forward to knowing you!