Community of ChristChurch
Faith News Update for June 25, 2020
Online Interactive Worship with Holy Communion 
 Sunday, June 28th at 9:30am



Risking Joy

Cast Your Bread onto the Waters


Qohelet, the author of Ecclesiastes, will be our guide as we explore together humanity’s quest for meaning and immortality. 

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Click the link below on Sunday:

https://zoom.us/j/669927281?pwd=S0Qvdzh5cUY2akhmM2VoeTlUUVFBZz09

Meeting ID: 669 927 281

If prompted enter password: 080114 

Joining by phone:

If you are not able to join worship via your personal computer, tablet or smartphone you are welcome to join using your phone.

  1. Call this number: 1-669-900-6833 
  2. Use the meeting ID: 669 927 281
  3. Enter password 080114 

You will find yourself in our Zoom worship space.

 Online Worship Logistics: 

  • The online doors to our Zoom worship will open at 9:00am. 
  • From 9am to 9:30am, the worship space will be open for folks to gather and get settled in. Our worship service will begin at 9:30am. 
  •  Holy Communion will be a part of our online worship, so we encourage everyone to prepare by putting together your own communion set from whatever you have handy in your kitchens and pantries. Please have these items nearby and handy when you join us online.

Summer 2020 preaching series- Forgotten Books of the Bible:

Wisdom from the Five Jewish Festival Scrolls for Today’s World.

This Sunday, we will finish the book of Ecclesiastes, a book that is
traditionally read during the Jewish Feast of Booths or Sukkot. Join us for worship as Qohelet, the author of Ecclesiastes, will be our guide as we explore together humanity’s quest for meaning and immortality.


If you are curious, take a look at the outline of the summer preaching series, available via PDF here. 

Pastor out of the 'office' next week:

Pastor David will be on vacation during the workweek (June 29- July 3, 2020). but he will be back for preaching on Zoom Worship (Sunday, July 5, 2020).

Pastor David will be available for pastoral emergency calls.
Call the office (503-617-9526) & press 4.

 

Important Update
(we are running this one more time in case it was missed last week)

Beloveds,

At the last meeting of our 2019-2020 church council, we invited our transition coordinator, Chris Radford to help lead the conversation about what we need to be focusing on to get ourselves out of the building. Our target date for being completely moved out of the building is Friday, July 31st. In the coming days, we will be inviting those who feel safe enough to do so, to consider ways they assist in our moving process.

At this point in time, your council has determined—given the pandemic and the restrictions still in place for large group gatherings necessary for keeping people safe and slowing the spread of the coronavirus—that it is still not prudent for us to gather in person for worship. Furthermore, the soonest we will revisit the question will not be until the fall. Unfortunately, this means that we have already held our last worship service at 5170 NE Five Oaks Drive.


We recognize that this may be unwelcome news for many of you. While we grieve the opportunity to say goodbye formally, we also give thanks to God for the many years that we have been blessed with such a wonderful space for worship, prayer, learning, and fellowship. We also trust in the promise that God continues to accompany us on our journey out of the building and into God’s unfolding future.

Over the coming months, we will be monitoring the data and recommendations for reopening provided by public health experts and look for opportunities for small groups, ten people, or less, to gather safely outside of the weekly worship experience. Likewise, we will continue to do our best to offer a quality online weekly worship experience that is accessible for the whole community.

 

In the meantime, please stay tuned for upcoming Faith News and worship announcements for ways to help out as we transition into this new reality.

God’s peace,
Pastor David

Pandemic Emergency Economic Relief (PEER)

In the midst of this pandemic, many families who were already marginalized and pressured are now facing acute economic and food insecurity.  At the same time, most of us are feeling isolated and longing to act.  What if we could GROW connection during this time and ACT together to relieve pressure in our communities?


In order to reflect dignity and relieve pressure, the Oregon Synod (ELCA) and the NW Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) are partnering to encourage local congregations to join with one another and community-based organizations, like schools and social organizations, to offer grocery gift cards and other food or financial assistance to families most impacted during these times.  


How it works:

ChristChurch has received a $500 matching gift grant from the Oregon Synod (ELCA). We are combining that with funds dollars from our benevolence fund and the pastor’s compassion fund for a total of $2,000. We will then buy grocery gift cards and deliver them to counselors at Evergreen Middle School, who will in turn get these grocery gift cards to families.


What can you do:

Help us double these funds by clicking on the PEER category in our online GIVE button so that we can purchase even more grocery gift cards to impact local families in need. 


How is this a partnership?

One of the goals of moving out of our current building was to increase our partnerships and presence in the community. 

By working with the local schools we engage in meaningful discussion around:

  • How can we better partner with you? 

  • What are families experiencing and is this what is needed or could our action be more impactful?


Additionally, we are working with ecumenical partners - 

  • The United Methodist Church has committed $100,000 in matching grants to local congregations

  • The Oregon Synod has received a $20,000 grant from the ELCA to offer matching grants, so partnering with our local ecumenical friends can double our gifts! 

  • The Presbytery of the Cascades (PCUSA) has also committed $100,000 in grants to local congregations. 


Thank you for your support. If you have questions about the program please contact Rachael Jans or Pastor David Eppelsheimer


Even if you can not donate please feel free to share this opportunity with friends, family, and neighbors! It’s a wonderful opportunity to do good and connect more with our local schools. 

PRIDE

Happy PRIDE from ReconcilingWorks! Here's a message from ReconcilingWorks:

We are going to miss seeing all of you at PDX PRIDE this year. We created this video to celebrate PRIDE with all of you during the time of social distancing. Click here for a special video message.

You are loved!

You are treasured!

You are ours and we are yours!

You are beloved children of God!

Building Updates - 6/25/20

1) We have a few items to offer to the congregation.
Go to this Google Photo album to see what is available. 
Office chairs: We have black rolling desk chairsgray rolling desk chairs (no armrests), and black leather rolling desk chair. 

There's still other large pieces of office furniture, Christmas wreaths, display items, etc. available. Please contact Jane ASAP if you would like any of these items.  Jane Jackson: Text 503-807-7098 or email at jane.m.jackson@intel.com.

2) Lost and Found
Please see this Google Photo album for miscellaneous items that might be yours? If they are not claimed we will donate them.

If you have trouble viewing any of the Google Photo albums please email Rachael. 

3) Items for church storage

Do you have something that belongs to the church that is not already in the building that you'd like to go into storage?
For example - items for events, or donations that you have been storing in your closet at home? If yes, please contact Transition Coordinator, Chris Radford directly by the end of the month.

FINAL OPPORTUNITY!
Library Books looking for a home!

Sherrie Wade has graciously taken on the project of distributing books to those that would like them. Books are being offered first to members, then books will be offered to community partners. 
 
How it works:
  • Go to this Google Photo library link.
  • Look through the photos of books available.
  • Email Sherrie Wade the name, author and the jpg. file name of the title(s) you would like. 
  • Sherrie will then tell you the availability and make the match. She will be in touch to set up a safe way to pick up the books.
We would like to find homes for the library items by the end of the month. All remaining undesired books will be given away or recycled.
If you have any problems accessing the Google Photo library link please email Admin@comchristchurch.org
Service Opportunity/Update:
Please note there is no delivery this Monday (July 29, 2020)

ChristChurch volunteers are distributing groceries, essential items, and grocery food cards directly to families in need. We are working with Bienestar and other charitable organizations to maintain safe procedures for delivery with masks, gloves and minimal direct human interaction. 

If you are interested in helping out please add your name to this sheet or email Pastor David to stay up to date on service opportunties. 
Opportunities to stay connected online are listed below:
Crafting, Gardening and Creativity Share (online gathering)
Every Saturday @10am


https://zoom.us/j/226185003?pwd=b0tzLzBDaTJlc1RvVEV2dFQyRTZ2QT09

Meeting ID: 226 185 003
Password: 012822

Our Saturday Crafting and Gardening online meetings have been going so well. We’d like to get more of you involved by asking you to share your creative talent.

  • You are more than welcome to invite a friend or relative to share their creative talent as well.
  • We think this a perfect opportunity to share ideas, talents, and creative endeavors to all in our community. This in turn helps us build relationships with others. 
  • If you are looking for a new thing to learn, drop by, you may find just the thing.
  • If you’d like to share with the group please contact Violet Thetford. She will be in touch with details.
ChristChurch
Quarantine Coffee Hour Open House

Every Wednesday 10am to Noon

Save this Zoom link: 
https://zoom.us/j/301147732?pwd=OHdrNDJDVC9pNkZKVnI5eFRzZXNhQT09  

Meeting ID: 301 147 732 
Password: 005805


We are offering an opportunity for you to visit on Zoom every Wednesday until the social distancing rule is lifted.

The meeting room will be open from 10am -noon on Wednesdays and hosted by Violet Thetford.
This will be an open house format for folks who want to drop in any time during the 2 hours. 
Feel free to come and go as you like.

Reconciling in Christ Team 
Online Meeting
Thursday, July 9, 2020
6:30pm


Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/571159077?pwd=Z1ZuM09hdXR0dTlqaXl3bWR5TlFwdz09

Meeting ID: 571 159 077
Password: 041672

Reconciling in Christ is a program for Lutheran congregations who want to publicly welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identity, and gender expression into their communities.
Electronic Giving
Since we can't pass our offering basket during virtual worship, we encourage you to automate your giving. Electronic giving also offers an easy way to give on a recurring basis.

THANK YOU to everyone that has signed up!
We are so grateful for the response. 


Go to https://app.easytithe.com/App/Giving/comchristchurch and select the checkbox ‘Make this gift recurring’. You will then be walked through the steps for setting up an account with Easy Tithe.
Community of ChristChurch

This is Christ's church. There is a place for you here.

- 5170 NE Five Oaks Drive Hillsboro, OR 97124 - (503) 617-9526
Our office is closed due to COVID 19. Staff is working remotely.

Do you have an article or piece of news to share with the congregation? 
Submissions for Faith News are needed by 2pm on Wednesday afternoons via email

Pastor David Eppelsheimer: pastordavid@comchristchurch.org  
         

Administrative & Communications Coordinator, Rachael Jans

admin@comchristchurch.org

Prayer Requests: admin@comchristchurch.org

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This message was sent to admin@comchristchurch.org by admin@comchristchurch.org
5170 NE Five Oaks Drive, Hillsboro, OR, 97124


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