In Christ Alone

Do you ever have those moments when you don’t even have the words to express what you are feeling inwardly?  As I watch the news and see what has taken place in our country over the past 10 days, I am heartbroken at so many levels that I’m not even sure where to begin.  I am thankful that in Romans 8:26, the apostle Paul tells us that when we cannot even find the words “the Spirit himself intercedes for us.” 

The brokenness that we are seeing currently in our culture is not new.  In fact, it has existed since the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden.  Because at its root, the issue is sin.  And in truth, there is only one solution to sin, and that is Jesus Christ. 

Can I share something with you?  As a young person, I seriously considered a life in politics.  I think I have always had a desire to be a part of the solution, to make the world a better place.  Even as I was considering a political career, I was also beginning to experience a call to ministry.  So for a short time, I wrestled with whether I would serve in the political arena or in the church.

Join us Saturday June 6 for a time of prayer for our nation

After a time of prayerful consideration, I came to the conclusion that the answer to the brokenness of our world would be found in Christ alone.  As important as law and policy is for a society, I am convinced that ultimately, change will only come when people’s hearts are changed.  And that heart change comes from a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ.

And so, I would implore us as a church to be in prayer for our nation.  I invite you to pray with me that God would heal our land, that unity would be restored, that the hope of Christ would be shared and that hearts would be changed.

To that end, I would like to invite you to join us for an in-person time of prayer for the unity of our nation.  All who wish to join will gather this Saturday morning at 10:30 am at our Plaistow campus.  There will be space for people to park and stay in their car, or to sit out (socially distanced), as we take this time of prayer together.  If you would like to sit outside, please bring a chair.

This will be a simple gathering whose only purpose will be to pray for the healing and unity of our nation.  The gathering will be relatively brief, but incredibly important.  The idea to hold this prayer gathering was first suggested by Pastor Paul and Lisa, so I have asked Paul to lead us in this prayer time.  I invite you to join us if you are able.

God Bless,

    Pastor Steve

PS: As this Covid crisis wears on, we are finding there is increasing need for food or financial assistance through our care ministry.  If you would like to make a contribution to the care ministry, you can do so at this link.

Speaking of exciting

The question on everyone’s lips seems to be “when can we be back together for worship?”  Personally, I can’t wait to see everyone.  I miss every one of your beautiful, smiling faces.  So, over the past couple of weeks we have been working on a plan to launch multiple small gathering for worship.  Based on the guidelines being suggested for churches, these gatherings would have to happen under the following conditions:

·         Limit gathering size to approximately 50 to ensure social distancing. (preregistration required)

·         Everyone would be asked to wear a mask.

·         We would not do congregational singing (it turns out singing is one of the most effective ways to spread Covid to others)

·         No nursery or children’s programs.

·         No coffee/food/fellowship time before or after worship.

·         No hugs, no handshakes or other physical contact.

As we started to consider what that worship experience would be like, we were less and less enthused.  Then someone asked “with warm weather now upon us, why not meet outdoors?”  We have a large open field at our Plaistow campus that would allow us to spread out, sing out and not have to wear masks.  We could easily gather hundreds of people in the field and still maintain social distancing.  We could even have a parking area for those who want to attend “drive-in” style and stay in their car (particularly for those older or health compromised.)

We haven’t set a date yet as we still have some details to work out.  But our plan is to offer a ministry wide outdoor worship celebration.  We will probably do it late morning to allow time for the grass to dry.  Then those who want to can stay for a picnic.  We’ll do one of these gatherings to start and see how it goes.  The week we do this, we will still offer the livestream for those prefer that option, or for health reasons would be wise to stay home.  We will have more details for you soon, but I am so excited about the idea that I just had to share.

Speaking of exciting, I also wanted to share that we have identified a facility that we believe may be the perfect space for our North Shore campus.  It is 58 Macy Street in Amesbury, the building that currently houses “Unity by the River.”  They are relocating and are selling their building.  It is already set up as a church. It is right off the highway (perfect for a regional campus).  It has lots of parking, is handicap accessible, has ample nursery and children’s space, has rooms for adult lifegroup.  The list goes on.  It’s not a done deal.  There are still details to work out, inspections to be done, etc.  But we’ve have entered into a signed agreement that allows us to move forward with the other steps.  Please keep this in prayer as we begin the due diligence.

One final note, this Sunday is Pentecost, so we have a special service prepared.  Dress in red and join us on the livestream.  If you think of it, send me a picture of your at home Pentecost worship!

 God Bless,

Pastor Steve

On another note, we are testing out a new livestream platform.  I’m looking for beta testers who would be willing to check it out and give feedback.  The plan is to run the midweek service through it (in addition to the usual places) on Thursday at 6:30 pm.  If you are willing to be a beta tester, please email me at steve@rock-church.org

When?

At least once a day I get the question. When? Pastor when will we be able to get back to church? Believe me, I get it. I can't wait to be back together in person. But before we get into that question, I want to just remind us that Rock Church never closed.  We just left the building. The church is not a building we go to, it is a family we belong to. And every day we continue to be the church, bringing the love of Christ to a hurting world.

But the question of when we will be able to return to “in-person” worship looms large. Since Massachusetts announced that they are allowing congregations to return to their buildings this week, it has definitely caused many to ask “what about New Hampshire?” What about Rock Church? When MA announced the opening of church buildings for worship, it was under some strict guidelines. Limited numbers. Social distancing. Face masks. No coffee or food. No nursery or children's program. No communion. And while New Hampshire has not yet made an official announcement, there is a plan in development that looks very similar.

Based on the guidance we have received from the state and research we have done on other best practices, Rock Church is developing a three-phase plan. The first phase begins this week with the gradual reintroduction of in-person life groups. Many groups have been meeting on zoom.  We are encouraging groups to continue to do that where it is working well. But we know there are some groups with people who do not have the technology to meet digitally. So we want them to be able to begin to meet again in person. Of course, we also want to do that in a way that is wise and safe. So we have developed our own guidelines for phase one life groups. If your group is considering returning to in-person gatherings, the first step is to contact Ed and Sherry Lucia to get more information on the process.

Phase 2 will likely be the reintroduction of in-person worship in smaller gatherings and under appropriate precautions. However, as we consider how soon we will do that and under what conditions, we would like to hear your thoughts. Would you attend in-person worship if masks are required? If there is no nursery? If we must social distance? We've developed a quick survey to get your input. We will take responses for one week. But I would encourage you to do it right now at this link.

Phase 3 would be a return to unrestricted life groups, worship and other programs. I will be honest in telling you that I have no idea what the timing of this will be. I don't believe anyone does. Please keep in mind that all of this is a work in progress. Every few days something seems to change and our plan of response must remain flexible. One thing seems certain. Livestreaming will continue. We are working every week to make that online worship experience better and better. Even as we come back to in-person experiences, if you are at risk, health compromised or just uncomfortable being back in that physical gathering, we encourage you to continue to join us via livestream.

There is much we still do not know. But we do know this. Through it all God is with us. Jesus promised he would never leave or forsake us. By his Holy Spirit he will lead us through this. And in the end, the work of Christ will continue to move forward.

God bless,

Pastor Steve

BTW, for those of you who are on Facebook, I launched a new daily devotional tool this week. It posts every morning at 6 am. Here is today’s. I invite you to check it out.

Not why, but how

Do you ever find yourself asking why? Three months ago I never would have imagined we would wait in line to go into a grocery store or be wearing masks in public. This time last year, as we were going away to celebrate Nicole's 60th birthday, I couldn't envision a world where international borders would be closed. Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected the level of disruption that coronavirus has caused. And yet, here we are. And for many, the temptation is to ask why.

I think it is human nature in the midst of trial, struggle, suffering or tragedy to ask why. Why did this have to happen? Why my loved one? But I think the better question is not why, but how? I believe with all my heart that God is good, that he loves us with a boundless and unconditional love. I do not believe that God inflicts on his people pain or suffering.

Michelle, one of our student snack pack volunteers, decked out for “hero day!”

But I do believe that God can use all things for good. So as we live through this crisis, the question I keep asking myself is how. Lord, how can you bring good out of bad in this Covid crisis? How can we redeem this terrible situation? Is it possible that this disruption, that has shaken our entire world, can somehow be used for ultimate good?

In my mind, the answer to the why question is fairly simple. Why is there struggle? Why is there sickness? Why Covid? Because we live in a broken and imperfect world. That won't always be the case. One day we will live in perfection in God's heavenly kingdom. But as long as we are in this imperfect world, there will be struggle. So the question I prefer to ask is not why, but how. How can we use even the hard things in life for ultimate good? Over and over in my life I have seen God bring blessing from curse, beauty from ashes. And I believe he will do it again.

I am not yet certain how that will happen or what it will look like. But that is the nature of faith. Hebrews teaches us that faith is a confidence in things hoped for that we do not yet see. I believe that God is already at work, in ways we cannot see, to bring forth good from what has been a long and difficult season of life.

I can already see hints of it in the ways people are being forced to take sabbath, the ways we are growing to appreciate things we have taken for granted and in the ways families are spending more time together. And from a spiritual perspective, I believe God is already using this to open people's hearts to the gospel and to help us, his church, find new ways to share that good news.

I know our temptation is to ask “why.” But I want to encourage us to ask “how.” How can God use this for good, and how can we be a part of that redemption? I want to remind you that Thursday at 6:30 pm our midweek service will stream on Facebook and be available on demand at any time from our website. And I hope to see you all on Sunday at 9:00 am for our livestream worship.

God bless,

Pastor Steve

Serendipity

If you had to sum up how you are feeling right now in a single word, what would that word be? I asked that question to a couple of my life groups this week. After six weeks of masks, social distancing, constant hand washing and waiting lines at stores, how are you feeling? I got an incredible variety of responses. Hopeful. Anxious. Exhausted. Bored. Cautiously optimistic. Okay, that's two words. But you get the idea.

What would your word be? My word was serendipity. I'll admit, that's a word we don't use much in conversation. It can be used in different ways.  But the simplest definition is “accidental discovery.” Serendipity is when we have the good fortune of discovering something we were not looking for, or were not expecting.

A shout out to all our volunteers who are making our livestream service possible. Here is Kristen behind one of the computers.

When the Corona virus hit, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I was not expecting the level of disruption that this has become. I was also not expecting this to become a time of accidental discovery. But that is one of the ways that God seems to be using it, at least for me. So I would like to share with you some of what I am discovering.

• I'm discovering that the church can still be the church, even when we cannot gather in person. Despite the many restrictions, we have still found ways to worship, to learn, to serve, to bless others and to extend the love of Christ. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of our church and the ways we have continued to fulfill our mission in the midst of this crisis.

• I've discovered that there is legitimate place for digital expressions of ministry. While we were live streaming prior to Covid, it was a very small part of our overall ministry. Now we are doing both a Sunday and a midweek service online. We are holding meetings digitally (and saving countless hours of travel time.) We have numerous zoom based life groups meeting every week. We are reaching people well beyond our geographic circles and we have people connecting in ways they never did before. Digital ministry is real ministry.

• I've also discovered you can teach an old dog new tricks. Prior to this crisis, I'd never led an online service. I had never used zoom. I'd never held a meeting online. I didn't know what Facebook premiere was. The list goes on. Because of Covid I am learning new things I never thought I needed, or wanted, to know. But they have become a blessing to me. And I know that I am not alone in that!

This Covid crisis has caused such suffering, struggle and disruption. But in the midst of it all, I believe God is using it to stretch us, refine us and help us to grow. I am learning and growing in ways I never expected.  And I believe God is preparing to use these unexpected discoveries to help us do the work of Christ in ever greater ways in the future.

God Bless,

Pastor Steve   

What time is it?

Do you remember this song? “To everything, turn, turn, turn there is a season, turn, turn, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”  I know it was probably before your time. But this song, released by the Byrds in 1965, took most of its lyrics directly from the book of Ecclesiastes. According to Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to reap and a time to sow. So, I guess my question is “what time is it?”

Have you considered joining an online lifegroup? They are awesome!

I think most of us would agree that we are in the midst of the most unusual time we have ever seen. Isolation and quarantine, masks and social distancing are all the marks of this strange time in which we live. But according to King Solomon there is a time for everything. So what time is it now? Some would say it is a time to hunker down, ride out the storm and wait for things to return to normal. But I don't see it that way. I believe we are in an incredibly significant spiritual season. Out of every hardship, God can bring blessing. And out of every crisis, God can bring opportunity.

Lately I've been asking myself what blessing will God bring from this? What opportunity is before us? The answer to those questions will help us to discern what time it is. While there is still much that is uncertain, I believe some things are becoming clear.

First, it is a time to bless. With so many in our world who are hurting, now is the time for God's people to display the love of Christ in extraordinary ways. As Christ followers, we are a people of love and hope. The world needs the love and hope of Jesus more than ever. Now is the time to find ways to bless our neighbors through acts of kindness, compassion and love. It is a time for the light of Christ to shine.

It is a time to sow. I believe we are in a season of unique spiritual receptivity. In times of crisis, when the foundation that many have built their lives upon has become shifting sand, I believe there is an openness to the truth of the gospel. I believe we are already seeing that in this season of fear and uncertainty people are seeking a solid foundation upon which to build their lives. Now is the time to sow seeds of faith and hope.

And I believe it is a time to growth. This crisis has created time in our schedules. We could fill that time binging Netflix, but I believe it is meant to be a season of growth. We have a rare opportunity to spend more time in the word of God. As a church we have launched several new online groups since the crisis began. Tomorrow we launch our new midweek service. It will be available on Facebook and on our website. This new service will be different from a Sunday morning experience. It is shorter, with a primary focus on teaching. Together we will dig into God's word in a verse by verse style that is meant to take us deeper in our understanding.

There will also be reflection/discussion questions for personal application. The service is designed to be experienced individually or as a group. The service will post at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, but will be available on demand through the following Thursday. That will allow you to share in the service at a time that works best for you or your group.  

I know none of us would have chosen this situation. But I believe God brings good out of anything. So let's make the most of the opportunities that this season brings, the opportunity to bless others with the love of Christ, to sow seeds of hope and to grow deeper in our faith.

God Bless,

Pastor Steve

BTW, just a reminder that this Sunday is a communion Sunday.  I would invite you to have bread and juice available so we can all share communion together online.

A Balanced Diet

Growing up I had a friend named Mike who would often have Pop-Tarts and Pepsi for breakfast. As a middle schooler, I wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but even I knew that that wasn't a balanced diet. Over the years I've tried to be a little more intentional, but I'm still not one of those people who is super strict about what I eat. I have the occasional junk food. I still eat mac and cheese from a box from time to time. And if you know me, you know I have a thing for sweets. But as I've gotten older, and hopefully a little wiser, I’ve tried to exercise moderation and at least eat a balanced diet.

I think the principle of a balanced diet goes beyond what we eat. I think there is wisdom in applying this concept to much of what we consume, including what we read, what we watch and what we listen to. I've noticed that throughout this Covid-19 crisis the majority of what we see, hear and read seems intended to create fear. Every night the national news leads with some sensationalized Covid related horror story. At least once a day I see a social media post with a story that further reinforces the fears that we are already struggling with.

Now to be clear, this is a serious situation. We should be wise and we should be taking appropriate precautions. And as much as I'm not crazy about our current stay-at-home status, I believe it is working to slow the advancement of this pandemic. I consider it an act of love to protect those most vulnerable in our society. My concern is that it would be very easy to become overwhelmed by fear if the only thing we are consuming is media. I'm not suggesting that we should not watch the news at all. But I am suggesting a balanced diet. I think for every half hour we spend watching the news, we should spend a half an hour in prayer. I think for every article we read about Covid, we should spend at least as much time reading the Word of God.

If all we eat is Pop-Tarts and Pepsi, it will not be long before our body is not well. If all we are consuming is the nightly news, it will not be long before our hearts are overwhelmed with fear. Should we be cautious? Yes! Should we be afraid? No! God is still in control and He will bring us through this. Over and over again in scripture God reminds us “Fear not for I am with you” If we keep a balanced diet that includes as much time building our faith as we spend with the things that bring fear, we will be much healthier people. So want to encourage us today to keep a balanced diet of what we consume. As the apostle Paul said in his letter to the Philippians “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

God Bless,

Pastor Steve

BTW, ladies I want to be sure you know that this Month’s GROW will be presented online both on Facebook and the church website Women’s Ministry page this coming Monday April 27 at 6:00 pm.

Crisis Fatigue

I'm trying to walk more.  It's probably just me, but since this lockdown began I find myself snacking more and moving less. So before it really gets out of hand I thought it would try to reel it in. After all, Kohl's is closed and I try not to buy any new clothing without a 30% coupon. But I digress.

As I was walking yesterday…thinking…praying, a phrase came to me. Crisis fatigue. This Covid-19 crisis has already gone on longer than I think many thought it would. I'll be honest. When it all began I was hoping we could be back in our church buildings for Easter. But it now seems apparent that this is going to go on for a while yet. And so far, I think the vast majority of people have responded in extraordinary ways. We have seen wonderful expressions of love, kindness, sacrifice and generosity.  As I mentioned on Sunday, for most people this has brought out the very best of who we are.

My concern, and my caution, is that as this goes on we are going to see increasing crisis fatigue. As social distancing, shortages, unemployment and sickness stretch from weeks into months, it can take a toll. If we are not careful, compassion and kindness may slowly give way to frustration, tension and self-interest. For some this crisis fatigue may show itself in the form of impatience or anger. For others it may be displayed in discouragement, depression or self-medication.

But what I want to say to us today is that this does not have to happen. I believe it is possible for us to get through this crisis with our compassion, our kindness and the love of Christ still visibly displayed. But in order for that to happen we have to stay physically and spiritually strong. That means we have to take good care of this temple of God we call the body. Eat well. Exercise. Rest. Take care of ourselves physically.

But even more importantly, we must stay strong spiritually. We will not get through this on our own strength. We need more than ever the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I want to encourage us to take this time of isolation to pour ourselves deeper into our walk with Christ. More than ever, start every day in intentional prayer. Spend even more time in the word of God. Worship online and make time for personal worship. Ask God to fill you every day with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

I believe if we do these things we can actually come through this crisis physically and spiritually stronger than ever.  And that is my hope and desire for us. Please know that I pray for you every day. I miss you and I love you all.  But with God's help, we will get through this together.

God Bless,

Pastor Steve

BTW, I also shared a brief video about this yesterday on Facebook.  If you would like to see that, please click on this link.

Invite anyway!

This Sunday is Easter! If this were any other year I would be encouraging you in every way imaginable to invite your friends and neighbors to join us for Easter. But this year the unimaginable has happened. For the first time ever, we cannot gather in person. But Easter is not canceled! We will gather in a new way to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. And so I say, invite anyway!

In fact, I believe this invitation is more important than ever. Here's why. For many unchurched people, coming to church is a big step. There is a measure of uncertainty that might keep them from accepting our invitation even though, deep down, they want to attend. I believe there's a place in every person's heart that longs for a relationship with God, that needs the unconditional love of Christ. But sometimes fear keeps them from walking through the doors for the first time. This year we have a unique situation. We will all be worshiping online. While I would personally prefer to gather face to face, it is very possible that for some of our friends this will be an easier entry point. So let's make the most of that! Let's invite every person we can. They can attend from the safety of their home, in the comfort of their living room and still hear the life-changing good news of Jesus Christ.

I also believe we need to invite more than ever because people desperately need points of connection. We are now weeks into this isolation. People need points of contact.  The livestream gives them a place of connection, a sense of being together with others, even as they are at home. For some, this could be the first step towards experiencing Christian community. Often people need to belong before they believe. Some people's journey to Christ will begin with connecting relationally to other believers, which opens the door for them to hear and receive the truth of Christ.

The third reason I believe invitation is so important this Easter is that people desperately need hope. The story of the resurrection is a story of hope. Our message on Sunday will focus on moving from fear to hope. Now more than ever, people need to know that there is hope. This hope is found in Jesus Christ. Through our invitation we can help people to find the hope they so desperately long for.

So I say this year what I would say any year, INVITE! I know we are sheltering at home, but invite anyway. What we have to offer in Christ is needed now more than ever. 

I love you and miss you all. I look forward to “seeing” you this Sunday as we celebrate Easter together.

God bless,

Pastor Steve

BTW, I also want to remind us that on Friday we will have a live streamed Good Friday service at 7:00 p.m. I hope you'll be able to join us. Also, check out our new www.rock-online.org page. At this one page your will find everything you need for your online worship experience.

Being the church

It's been quite a week, and it's only Wednesday. We held worship on Sunday, but I didn't get to see any of you. Early Monday morning I had to bring my son Chris to MGH for a pretty significant surgery. But of course I couldn't stay with him. Yesterday I had a funeral. But only the immediate family could attend. The children of the person who had passed had been very active in Sunday school and youth group 20+ years ago. I can’t tell you how hard it was to not be able to give them a big hug when I saw them for the first time in years.

These are strange times, but I want to tell you, the church is still being the church. Regardless of the obstacles we face, we are still Rock Church…Christ’s Church. We are still a community of believers growing in faith and supporting one another with the love of Christ. In spite of the distancing measures that separate us physically, we are finding ways to continue to gather, to continue to serve, to continue to be the church. And it is awesome!

I’m encouraging folks to send me pictures of their “At Home Worship.” Send me a pic this week! I’d love to see them.

Sunday morning we could not gather physically in our sanctuaries, but close to 200 families participated in worship via live stream. Sunday evening our youth life group could not gather in person, but we had a great gathering via Zoom. Monday, as Chris was in surgery, the outpouring of love and support for our family was beyond words. Social media, text and phone calls all provided ways that we could be connected. Nicole and I are so grateful for these expressions of love and encouragement. Even at the funeral, one of the immediate family members was not able to be there in person due to illness. But by the wonders of technology she was able to be with us virtually and was able to be a part of the service.

What I want us to see is that even in these extraordinarily difficult times, the church is still the church. We are still a place to grow in faith. We still have the opportunity to be Christian community. We can still love and serve our neighbors. I am convinced that the Church of Jesus Christ is needed now more than ever. We are the bearers of hope in a frightened world, of light in the darkness. Whatever it takes, by whatever means necessary, we must continue to be the church. If it means using Zoom or social media or live streaming, so be it. Your friends, your neighbors, our nation, the world needs the hope of Christ and we are the ones to offer it. 

God bless,

Pastor Steve

BTW, this Sunday is Palm Sunday.  Although we cannot gather in person, we know that some of you will still want to have a palm for Palm Sunday.  So Saturday morning from 9-10 we will have pastors at our Sandown and Plaistow locations distributing Palm in a safe and healthy (drive through) way.  If you are not able to come by at that time, we will leave the palms out for individual pick up. Ronda Hodge will have palms available for drive by pick up at her home at 21 Monroe Street in Amesbury.

Seeing the beauty

Student Snack Pack distribution in the snow!

Really God? That's exactly what I was thinking as I drove home from Sandown on Monday night in a driving snow. If you know me, you may know that I'm not a big fan of the winter. So when the snow began to pile up on the roads and fields, I was not thrilled. But Tuesday morning I woke up to a beautiful, glorious snow-covered scene that glistened in the early morning sun. And even I couldn't help but see the beauty and give praise to God.

There does not seem to be much about this Coronavirus to be thankful for. Many in our country, and throughout the world, are sick and even dying. Education is disrupted. Businesses have shut down. People are losing their jobs. Then there are the ripple effects that we don't all see. For example, for many who battle addiction, Celebrate Recovery, AA, NA and other support groups are a lifeline that can no longer meet in person. The work of our church and many others is being impacted. Daycares are shutting down leaving parents in a difficult situation.

This pandemic is negatively impacting life in so many ways. But I believe our almighty God can bring good even from the worst circumstances. Blessing from curse. Beauty from ashes. So I want to encourage us today to see the beauty. Find and celebrate the ways that God is working in us, and among us, to bring good. Let me share with you a few ways that I am beginning to see the beauty in the midst of the storm.

·        Neighbors helping neighbors. Since this Covid-19 situation began I have heard story after story of how people are reaching out to their neighbors, particularly our elderly, to support, love and bless them.

·        Family time. Our culture runs at such a pace that many families have very little time together. But with so much closed or restricted, I'm seeing families spend more face time together.

·        Acts of service. Since this began, I've seen so many people finding ways to serve. For example, we've had numerous volunteers help with our student snack packs and our elderly check-in program. I found out a couple of days ago that Karen Hodge is working with the Exeter Hospital to sew much needed masks. Karen and Will's daughter is a nurse at the Exeter Hospital. If any of you would like to help with that project, you can contact Karen at Karen_Hodge@comcast.net.

Even our kids love the livestream!

This is without a doubt one of the most difficult seasons we have been through as a nation in many years. But I want to encourage us to see the beauty. See the ways that God is at work through us to bring blessing from what the enemy meant for harm.

This Sunday we will again hold worship via live stream. Last week over 170 families joined us on the live stream and then hundreds more watched the recorded service at a later time.  Just for fun, this week snap a picture of you or your family worshiping together at home.  Post it to social media and then tag me in it if you would. I'd love to see the pictures. Another great idea that some have been doing is to start a watch party during the service so your friends and family can participate on line with you.

God bless,

  Pastor Steve

Unprecedented Times

We are in unprecedented times.  With the almost daily press conferences and a constant barrage on social media, it would be easy to slip into fear. But I want to remind us that, as Christ followers, the perfect love of God casts out fear.  As a church we want to be a part of the solution. So there are measures we will be taking over the next several weeks. I outlined all of it in a video on Facebook yesterday that you can see at this link. But here are the highlights:

This Sunday we will continue our “Real Jesus” series. Be sure to join us online!

Beginning this Sunday we will offer worship via live stream only. The service will stream live at 9:00 a.m. and then will be available for rebroadcast shortly after it's completion.  For these first couple of weeks we encourage you to worship at home with your family online. My hope is that after this 15-day intensive period that the CDC has called for, we can begin to offer some home church gatherings. This will be an interim step before we are able to come back together as a whole church. If you think you might be interested in hosting a small group at your home for worship, please email me and let me know.

At least for the next couple of weeks life groups will not be meeting in person. However there are some great digital tools that we would encourage you to use to continue to meet as a group online. For more information about this, please reach out to our lifegroup leaders Ed and Sherry Lucia.  There will be no GROW monthly women's gathering in March, nor will we do First Monday for men in April.

My hope is that during this time of community crisis the church can be the hands and feet of Christ in some wonderful and specific ways. One area of need where we hope to bring assistance is families with children. With the school closures, children are home for the next several weeks. We know that many of these children rely on school lunches. So we are developing a plan to provide food and snack packs for kids.  If you would like to help with that, rather than having people go to the store and then bring it to the church, we are simply inviting you to make a financial donation. This will allow us to purchase supplies in bulk. If you'd like to make a gift towards that, go to www.rockgiving.org and make a donation on the care ministry line.

During this difficult time we also want to be sure that our elderly and those with other medical conditions are cared for. We are developing a list of people who are willing to check in on some of our older church members and community residents. If you would like to help with that, please email me.

Most of all, I would encourage us not to give in to a spirit of fear. Now is the time for Christ followers to rise up with words of hope and encouragement for our community. Find ways to watch over those around you. Bring a message of peace and love. Help people know that God is still watching over us and that we will make it through this together. Please know that I am praying for all of you.

God Bless,

Pastor Steve

Wise...but not fearful

Like many of you, I’ve been following the Covid-19 news pretty closely.  I should say right up front that I’m not an alarmist.  In the months prior to Y2K I did not stock up on food, water, gasoline or ammunition (although I knew people who did all of the above).  As Christ followers, I do not believe we are meant to live in fear. We live in the love of Christ, and perfect love casts out fear.

But I do believe there is a difference between being fearful and being wise.  So I have been thinking about, praying about, what is the wise response to this coronavirus situation as it begins to work it’s way into our region.  How should we respond as a church?  Are there things we should do differently?  What is the wise response?

Don’t forget your devotions! Let’s make this a season of growth as we head towards Easter.

As the situation develops, I think it is very likely the level of appropriate response may change.  But I believe the place to begin is precaution.  Here are a few thoughts:

·         Wash your hands regularly, particularly when you are in a public space.   We will have extra hand sanitizer available at all campuses.

·         It would be wise to limit physical contact.  This is going to be a tough one for me, but it would probably be best, for the immediate future, to greet people with a big smile, but not necessarily a handshake or hug.

·         Monitor yourself.  If you are coming down with something, or if you are health compromised in a way that would make you vulnerable, join us via livestream.  We livestream all three campuses on Facebook.  We are adding direct links to the front page of our website.  www.rock-church.org.

·         Regarding communion, it is already our practice that all of our communion servers wash/sanitize their hands just before serving.  Additional, we are going to begin using individual cups rather than sharing a common cup.

We want our Rock Church family to know that we are taking proactive steps to do what we can to limit the spread of Covid-19.  We will not give in to a spirit of fear, but we do want to be wise.

On a personal note, if you follow me on social media you may know that today Nicole and I met with her doctor as a follow up to her CT scan.  Rather than have a hundred individual conversations, I thought I would share an update here.  The scan does show a reduction in the size of tumors on her liver.  However, there is still a need for ongoing “maintenance” chemo.  She will be taking a month off from the chemo treatments and then beginning again after Easter.  We thank you for your ongoing prayers.

God Bless,

Pastor Steve

Countdown

Let the countdown begin. In just over 5 weeks it will be Easter. It's not quite spring yet but you can feel the hints of it. Longer days, warming temperatures and snow banks that give way to mud. I love this time of year. Crocuses begin to push through the frozen soil. We can get out doors again. Grills, lawn furniture and my Miata all come out of winter storage.

But for me, the joy of the season is more than just the warming temperatures and the receding snow. We are in the season of Lent. It is our countdown to Easter. It is a time of spiritual preparation for the celebration of the greatest event in history. In a few short weeks we will celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. From there we will trace Jesus’ Holy week journey through the last supper, his betrayal and the trial. We will grieve his sacrifice upon the cross. and then we will peer into the empty tomb and celebrate his victory over death.

Save the date! For Our Community 2020 will be Saturday May 16.

This countdown to Easter that we call the season of Lent has both an inward and outward focus. Inwardly, this is meant to be a season of growth for us. I pray that each of us will use it as an opportunity to dig deeper into our relationship with Christ. I've encouraged us to take something up for Lent. Take up additional prayer time, immerse yourself in worship music throughout the day, or perhaps increase your time in God's word.

Personally, in addition to my regular morning devotions, I'm taking up a few extra things for Lent. This morning I went by the church early and spent some time in prayer at the altar rail. (Our Sandown and Plaistow buildings will be open for prayer from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. each Wednesday through Easter.)  I've also added some fasting and begin journaling again.

My prayer for all of us is that inwardly we are using this time as a season of growth. But I believe there is also an outward focus. Easter is an excellent time for personal invitation. This is a time when many of our unchurched friends and neighbors are even more open to an invitation to worship. So during this countdown to Easter I would remind us of our ministry-wide initiative for this year: PRAY. INVITE. REPEAT.

I would encourage us to be in prayer every day for those we know and love who do not yet have an active relationship with Jesus. And then, having prayed for them, take the next step and invite them to worship. This Sunday we will continue our series on the real Jesus with a message that is particularly near and dear to my heart, and I am convinced, the heart of Christ. You won't want to miss it.

God Bless,

Pastor Steve

A First

This will be a first for me. In almost 34 years as pastor of this church we've never had an Ash Wednesday service.  But a couple of weeks ago I had a strong sense that God is calling us to an intentional season of growth that we are meant to kick off on Ash Wednesday. So I want to extend to you this invitation.

Tonight (or tomorrow night depending on when you get this) will be Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of the season of Lent.  Lent is the six week period of time leading up to Easter. I believe that we, as Rock Church, are meant to use these six weeks as a time to grow deeper in Christ. I believe God is calling each of us to take up some challenge, some spiritual opportunity, to grow.

We will hold this Ash Wednesday service at our Plaistow location beginning at 6:45 p.m.  I would absolutely love for you to join us. We will sing and pray. We will share some ideas of ways we can make this season of Lent a season of growth.  And for those who wish, there will be the opportunity to apply ashes as a sign of repentance and of thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Christ.

Historically, many Christians have observed Lent by “giving something up”. But for Rock Church, I believe we are being called to “take something on.” I believe God is calling us to, for a season, invest ourselves in some spiritual practice that will help us draw closer to Christ.  I am convinced that if we will take up this challenge, God will use it to help us grow in extraordinary ways. And I believe that when Easter arrives this year it will be the greatest celebration of the resurrection of Jesus that we have ever experienced.

So I want to invite you to take up this challenge. To make this Lenten season a time of real spiritual growth. A time of drawing closer to Christ. A time of becoming deeper in faith. Will you join me?

God Bless,

Pastor Steve

Growth Spurts

Do you remember when, as a kid, you would have “growth spurts?”  They were these seasons, perhaps a few weeks or a few months, when your growth just seemed to take off. I think we have spiritual growth spurts. There seem to be times in our lives when our spiritual growth plateaus and other times when we are growing deeper in our faith everyday. Sometimes the seasons of dramatic spiritual growth come as a result of a significant life event or challenging circumstances. But sometimes these seasons of growth come as a result of an intentional decision to immerse ourselves in our spiritual journey.  There are times when we choose to dive deep into our own spiritual growth through a dedicated season of prayer, fasting, worship and the study of God's word.

Next Wednesday, February 26th, is Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent. For centuries Christians all around the world have observed Lent as a season of preparation for the celebration of Easter. In some Christian traditions Lent is observed by choosing to “give something up.”  While there can be some spiritual value to sacrificing something during Lent as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice for us, I believe God is calling us to something deeper. I believe this year God is calling all of Rock Church to an intentional season of spiritual growth in the weeks leading up to Easter.

The season of Lent is 40 days long (not counting Sundays) to remind us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for his public ministry. I want to invite, even challenge, every one of us to make Lent an intentional season of spiritual growth. But rather than give something up, I am encouraging us to take something on. That might mean that for these 40 days you will take on additional prayer time or an additional Bible reading plan. Or it may mean committing to join us once a week for Rock House of Prayer on Thursday nights or a day of fasting once a week.

So beginning next Wednesday we will launch a Rock Church 40-day season of growth. We will kick it off with a special Ash Wednesday service at 6:45 pm at our Plaistow location. This is open to everyone from all campuses and all of our communities. I feel strongly that God is calling us to this intentional season of growth. I can't speak for everyone, but I can tell you that our family has been through a tough season. But I am convinced that what the enemy intended for harm God will use for good. And I believe God is calling us to this season of growth to prepare us for the great things he has in store for us! I believe the Holy Spirit is already beginning to move and I can't wait to see what God is preparing to do.

So mark your calendar and join us for this important Ash Wednesday service as we launch into this season of spiritual growth.

God bless,

Pastor Steve

Coming Home

Recently Nicole and I were blessed to enjoy some time away. And I have to admit, it was pretty nice. Warm weather, sandy beaches, delicious food; what's not to like. I enjoy vacation, but I love coming home! While we were away we worshiped with you via livestream. Every day I got to have my prayer time as I walked the beach and watched the sunrise. But as lovely as it was, it just wasn't the same as being present in worship, joining our hearts and our voices in praise to God together with our church family.

I like to travel, but I love coming home. Every time I'm away I am reminded anew what a special place Rock Church is, and how blessed I am to be part of such an amazing church family. At one point on Sunday, as I stood in the lobby between services, I just paused for a moment to take it all in. I watched as people greeted one another with hugs and handshakes. I saw children's stream past with faces full of joy. I was introduced to a young adult who was visiting for the first time, having been personally invited by a neighbor. In the sanctuary I could see small groups of people gathered. Some were simply talking, catching up, sharing life. Others were praying together for one another.

This past Sunday we consecrated Jacob Lee-McPhee as Associate Pastor at our North Shore Campus! Check out the pics at https://www.facebook.com/achurch4all/

I couldn't help but think “this is real community.” This is what the church is meant to be. A wave of gratitude began to pour over me as I thought about how incredibly blessed I am that I get to be a part of this. I'm amazed sometimes at the things I can take for granted. Sometimes being away, even for a short time, allows us to see with fresh eyes the blessings we enjoy every day, every week.

I just want to say today that I love our church. I love the work, the mission, that God has called us to. I love that we are a place for all people; people of different perspectives, people from all walks of life, people of every age and stage. I love our leaders and I love every servant that shares sacrificially in the ministry. I love each and every one of you. And I am both humbled and grateful to be your pastor.

So yes, I will admit that I like vacation, but I love coming home. This Sunday we will start to dig into this brand new series “The Real Jesus.” God has something special for you this week. I know you won't want to miss it.

God bless,

Pastor Steve

The Real Jesus

Right click on this card to copy or save it to be used for invitation in social media, email or other digital communication.

How do you picture Jesus in your mind? When you envision Jesus, what setting do you see him in? What is he doing? Who is he with? Sometimes I think we forget that Jesus was a real flesh and blood man. He walked to the earth. He had friends. He experienced the full range of human emotions. He was God, of course. But as Emmanuel, he became God with us. Fully God and fully man.

I don't know about you, but when I think of Jesus, when I pray to him, I have no problem seeing Him as God. What I fail to recognize sometimes is his humanity. I forget that he lived as a man, a real person, who inhabited this earth just as you and I do. He felt pain. He was, at times, hungry and thirsty. He experienced both joy and sorrow. We would never want to fail to acknowledge the deity of Christ. But at the same time, we must not overlook his humanity.

Beginning this Sunday we will launch a new series entitled "The Real Jesus." Jesus was, without question, the most fascinating person to ever walk this earth. And in this series we will take an in-depth look at his life. We will look beyond the often two-dimensional view to see Jesus in the fullness of who he was and who he is.

I promise you that by the end of this series you will have a deeper and fuller understanding of the person of Jesus than ever before. I hope you will be with us this Sunday, and every Sunday of this series, as together we come to know "The Real Jesus." You will not want to miss a single week!

I would also encourage us to use this as an opportunity to invite those friends and neighbors who do not yet have a church home. It has been my experience that even people who are not connected to church are hungry to know more about Jesus. This series provides a wonderful opportunity for them to take a first step towards a life changing relationship with him.

Have a blessed week. I look forward to us being together as the family of God this Sunday as we gather for worship.

In Christ,

Pastor Steve

Looking Up

It was 6° according to the thermometer in my car as I headed out to the post office yesterday morning. I pulled into my spot and left the car running as I jumped out to drop my birthday cards in the mail. I started to walk towards the door, head down, trying to stay warm. I might have maintained that posture for the length of the parking lot, but after a few steps I felt as if God was saying to me “look up.” When I did I noticed there was a kind woman with a beautiful smile holding the door for me.

Mark you calendar. For Our Community Day 2020 will Saturday May 16th.

At that point I broke into a jog and hurry to the door, so as not to leave her waiting any longer than necessary. I thank her as I hurried past on my way into the building. She disappeared into her car as I headed to the mail slot to deposit my cards. As I walked back to my car I thought “I'm so glad I looked up.” Had I not looked up I might have missed this simple act of kindness and this person's warm smile on a cold day.

That 15-second encounter got me thinking. I wonder how often I, or any of us, miss out on a wonderful moment because we are not looking up. I don't mean just physically elevating our gaze. I mean really being observant of the circumstances and people around us. I wonder how many times I have missed seeing a beautiful smile or an act of kindness that might have brought an extra measure of joy to my day.

The converse is also true. When we fail to look up, to really see the people around us, we will also, from time to time, miss seeing someone who is struggling, who is hurting. If we are not looking up, we may miss out on an opportunity to bless someone by offering a word of hope or encouragement.

As I left the post office I decided I'm going to be more intentional about looking up. I don't want to miss the warm smiles, the acts of kindness and the other blessings that God may have in store for me. Nor do I want to miss noticing those around me who are hurting, that I might have the opportunity to bless.

I want to encourage you this week to be looking up. See those people around you. Suck up the joyful moments. Pray for the people you walk by. And be observant of those who are hurting, who perhaps you can cheer by simply holding the door and offering a warm smile.

God bless,

Pastor Steve

Come and See!

Come and See.  A few days ago I was rereading the story of the woman at the well.  If you know the story, you may recall that Jesus encounters this Samaritan woman drawing water at a well nearby where he was resting.  Before long, he and the woman were in quite a conversation.  He told her things about her life (that from her perspective he had no way of knowing).  Then he used the illustration of the well to talk to her about “living water.”

My favorite part of the story is when she goes back to town she immediately begins to tell people about this man she met and how she believed him to be the messiah.  Naturally, the people who gathered to listen were doubtful.  Could she really have met the messiah?  Her response is one of the great lines of the gospels “Come and See.”

Feel free to right click and save this card, then share it on social media along with a personal invitation to join us at Rock Church.

Every day you and I will find ourselves in connection with, in conversation with, people who do not have a relationship with Jesus.  And when we try to share with them that we have found the one who transforms lives, wipes away sin and offers the hope of eternal life, some will be doubtful.  It almost seems too good to be true.  In those moments, this simple phrase could be the simplest and most helpful response “Come and See.” 

We don’t have to be seminary trained Biblical scholars or deep-thinking theologians to share Jesus.  Often all we really need to say is “Come and See.”  Come and see for yourself the difference it can make in your life to begin a relationship with Jesus.  Come and see for yourself what an incredible thing it can be to become part of a loving Christian community. Come and see what it is like to live with forgiveness and real hope!

We begin this year with a three-word phrases.  Pray.  Invite.  Repeat.  There is nothing more powerful that we can do to help fulfill the mission of our church to simply say to people “Come and See.”  It begins in prayer, asking God to soften their heart to receive the invitation.  Then we invite.  And then we repeat, continuing to share the invitation at every opportunity. 

We have a great message prepared for this Sunday as we continue our La Vida series.  I hope you will not only be with us at one of our Rock Church locations, but I hope you will take this opportunity to say to some “Come and See.”

God Bless,

Pastor Steve