Dear Church Family & Friends,

My prayer is that this finds you safe, well, and hopeful. Last week the Governor’s Office announced an extension to the Stay-at-Home order and tightened practices for physical distancing for public health and safety as respond to the pandemic. The Session of JAPC (the church board) has made the commitment to participate in physical distance for the duration of the order. This means that the in-person worship, events, and ministries of the church continue to be suspended for the length of the order.

We continue to worship online and we continue to be the church together from our homes. While the physical church office remains closed, the church office is open remotely. If you have prayer requests or need to connect with the church staff or I, know that we are available. 

The Mission Committee has identified some organizations that continue to support food security for different populations during the pandemic. You are invited to support these as you are able. While we are a church used to serving directly, this is a way that we can reimagine how we serve during this time. 

The Session has continued to meet weekly to check in and respond to any needs that arise in the life of the church. I am grateful for their commitment and spiritual leadership, particularly in this difficult time. When the church ordains people into service, we ask them to serve with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. It is clear these commitments are needed as much now as ever. We are reimagining how we are a church in this time and I am grateful for the love the church shares with one another.

Grace and Peace,

Matt Nickel

Pastor

Announcements

Worship This Sunday, April 19

Worship Online:  www.japc.org/worshipathome

Message: “Together, God Makes Us a Church” with Rev. Matthew Nickel

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-10

Online Worship & Physical Distance Continues

All in-person worship services, groups, and events are suspended through the duration of the statewide order established by Michigan’s Governor. Currently this extends through May 1. 

Mission Giving Opportunities

The Mission Committee has identified opportunities to give during the season of Easter. Below you will find five links for giving in this time of Coronavirus and Covid19. Hunger and food insecurity remain during this time of pandemic. These represent some of the outreach happening in our surrounding area serving those in need. If you feel led, we are sure that any donation you give will greatly help offset the need. Be prayerful for those less fortunate and help extend God's love beyond our corner in a time when it is greatly needed. 

Church Office is Open Remotely

The church office continues to work remotely. Please leave messages on the church phone if you call is not received. You may continue to connect with staff by email. You can reach the Church Secretary Margie at  margie@japc.org , Bookkeeper Phyllis at  phyllis@japc.org  or Pastor Matt at  matt@japc.org.

Click on the buttons below to connect with other church resources online. Vimeo also offers an app for phones, tablets, Roku, Amazon Firestick, and Apple TV if you would like to watch on a device that connects to your TV.

The Membership Committee encourages prayers for Michelle Anderson, Alice Bancroft, Fred Black, Donna Burt, Mardi Carruthers, Leslie Chamas, Scott Goosen, Sue Head, Ken Holden, Priscilla Kelsey, Chris Klinger, Elaine Kuester, Sharon Lowe, Eleanor Mobley, Joyce Myers, Tom Wininger, JAPC military; Capt. Michael Boyle, for the many who are ill with the coronovirus and medical workers, the scientific community, social service and relief workers, who are supporting those affected by the coronavirus.