PASTOR’S REPORT 2023

.As we reflect on another year of God’s kindness, I am grateful for so many things. I’m grateful for the addition of several new families to our church, the many memories made through times of fellowship and worship together, and gratitude for the lives that God uses to shape us.

This year, in addition to all the faithful service of our church’s people serving in so many capacities, we saw the addition of an evening service that focused on learning sound biblical doctrine. Over the summer, we had several occasions for a fellowship on Sundays in our pavilion. This only mentions a small fraction of change this year, because most of the changes have been in our lives and walk with the Lord.

We have seen countless answers to prayer, we have known the Lord’s steady shepherding of our lives, and his grace that is sufficient every single day.

We have also had some temporary farewells this year, for some dearly beloved saints in our church and loved ones in our families. John Adriance, Dennis Disbrow, and Daniel Reiff went home to be with the Lord this year, and we feel their absence keenly. Many others have had family members or loved ones pass away. We remember the Scriptures, that the Lord knows those who are his, and to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

As we look forward to this next year, we know we have a call to joy and hope that is warranted by faith in Christ, our crucified and risen King. To God alone be all the glory for this past year, and to the same we commit the next.With warm affection,

Pastor Dan Wilson

OUTDOOR CHURCH SERVICE-May 17th, 2020

Hello Covey Hill Church Family,

 

I am glad to write to you about a long-awaited announcement. We have a chance to gather as a church next week! We plan to have an hour-long outdoor church service on Sundays throughout the rest of the month of May, starting on May 17th. Here are the details:

 

When: May 17th, 2020 @ 11:00AM-12:00PM

 

Who: Everyone who feels comfortable coming.

 

Where: Using the pavilion and surrounding parking lot.

 

How will we meet differently due to coronavirus concerns: We encourage practicing social distancing (6 feet apart for people not of the same household, refrain from handshakes and hugs, etc), and require wearing masks. We are conducting the entire service outdoors for fresh air and minimal exposure. The church building is closed, except for the foyer so that the restrooms are available.

 

What To Bring:

·      Camp/lawn chairs. The picnic tables will be available on a “first come, first served” basis. So we ask everyone to bring your own seating in case these fill up. We encourage people to sit six or more feet apart (other than people in the same household)..

·      Weather-correct clothing: We are not chopping firewood; we are sitting still, and it is May in Michigan. Dress for warmth!

·      Bible: (surprised?)

·      Masks: Please bring and wear a mask (unless you are sitting in your car). This will be a temporary inconvenience, but for now it is a way to keep our exposure at church to a minimum, and to make the most people able to come comfortably to the service. We wear these out of love (not fear) for those in our church most vulnerable to the disease.

Additional Note: The church building will be closed, other than the main bathrooms in the foyer.

 I look forward to worshipping with you all. May the Lord prepare our hearts to call on his name, and rejoice that our Redeemer lives.

In his grace,

Pastor Dan Wilson

  

P.S. If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment, or email Pastor Dan on our contacts page.

ADDENDUM ON LEGALITY: According to the executive order 2020-77, at time of posting this blog article, the exemptions concerning churches are worded accordingly on the FAQ page:

"Q: Does Executive Order 2020-77 prohibit persons from engaging in outdoor activities that are protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution? 

A: No. Persons may engage in expressive activities protected by the First Amendment within the State of Michigan, but must adhere to social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including remaining at least six feet from people from outside the person’s household. 

 

Q: Does traveling to and attending a religious service in a parking lot of a place of religious worship with congregants remaining in their own vehicles constitute an activity subject to penalty under section 20 of the order?

 A: No.

April 30th, 2020 How It Will Look to Meet Again

[Below is a letter for Covey Hill Baptist Church to know what to expect when we do decide to resume worship gatherings.]

“For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly…”

(Psalm 138:6 ESV)

Dear saints at Covey Hill,

 

I hope this letter finds you well, and that you have refreshment from the Spirit of our Lord. I am sure you are feeling tired of the endless news about coronavirus, as well as the strain of the restrictions to our everyday lives. I want to care for our church well and meet again as soon as possible, while also weighing the risks to our people accurately. So much of what I hear is contradicting news and opinion that constantly asks that we reevaluate what we thought. Every article, every video claims to have that latest and most accurate edge on the real story. There is one thing of which we are certain. The Lord has the whole story. He is Lord, and we are his people by faith in Christ Jesus. And he is with us through this trying and confusing time.

The board met on Tuesday, April 28th to discuss how we might alter our gatherings in light of recommended social distancing measures, in order to make them most accessible to the most people of our church body. The board has taken the guidelines of the CDC into consideration, while thinking creatively for implementing safety measures while still accepting the risks of meeting together. The following protocols will be implemented upon reopening:

·      Face masks: Initially, and until otherwise noted, we will require that people wear face masks to services.[1] The church will have a small number on hand, but we ask people to please bring a mask if at all possible. We welcome donations of homemade face masks to offer to people who come that may not have one. This measure will not be in place long, but for now we feel it is the best practice in the short term.

·      Social Distancing: We will mark off every other pew, and ask people to sit not closer than 6 feet apart in a pew during morning worship (other than members of the same household). We also ask that people suspend handshakes and hugs as greetings, and practice the 6-feet distancing recommendation.

·      Transition to 2 Sunday services: To lower the number of people in the building at a given time, we plan to hold two services. The tentative plan is hold the first service at 9am for adults only (especially senior citizens and people with existing health concerns) and the second at 10:30am for families with young children. Pastor Dan would like to have online streaming available as well, and he is researching to find out if this possible. If not, Pastor will post a video message on Sundays for those who cannot yet attend. Either way, some sort of remote sermon or worship service will be available every week even after resuming gatherings for those who cannot yet attend.

·      Sealed Communion packets will likely be used instead of passing the plates among the congregation.

·      Offerings will be collected through using the wooden box with the slot in top and a way to place a small lock on it. For those not able to attend, they can continue to mail offerings to the church.

·      Initially we will practice family worship (no nursery or children’s church available):

o   Nursery will not have workers as before but will remain open for parents to change babies, nurse or otherwise care for little ones and then leave. It will not be available for the whole service time but rather for short visits, no drop offs, keeping social distancing in mind.

o   Family worship time @ 10:30am will include worship bulletins for children.

As I write this, I hate having to take these measures. We mourn the freedom we had in our time together before this virus, and we look forward to when handshakes and hugs will be normal again. It will not be forever, but it certainly feels like it. And yet I would rather meet sooner with precautions, than wait until there is “no risk.” That point simply does not exist.

May I reiterate that this would be a temporary, initial set of guidelines we would implement, to be relaxed as soon as the board sees it is responsible to do so. And we are eager to relax them. We would rather meet sooner with some restrictions than wait longer to resume gathered worship.

I must also add, there are many of our church who will not feel comfortable meeting for some time. This particular virus does not evidence itself equally. For some it does not rise to the level even of a mild cold, and for others it is likely to hospitalize them or worse. And so it is imperative that our church body extend grace…grace, grace, grace!...as everyone will have different responses based on the perceived risks to their particular families.

Upon resuming services, I do not expect, nor do I encourage everyone to attend. You have the full support of your pastor and the board to stay home should you believe it is not yet time for your family to risk gathering. There is not one right response. Only faith in Christ is the right response. And some will, out of faith, trust the Lord while taking wise precautions, and others will, out of faith, not live with much concern over the virus. Let each live to God, and be understanding of the other! It is not the opinion of the board that the above proposal is how our church members should necessarily respond to this virus in the private life and daily business. It is merely what we insist on for the practice of gathered worship, for the moment, at our church facility.

Lastly, what about that big question: “But Pastor, …WHEN WILL SERVICES RESUME!?” That is the hardest decision to make. The board will have a remote video meeting on Tuesday, May 5th at 6:30pm to discuss the timing of when we will resume gatherings, and possibly choose a date for opening. Please keep us in prayer for this! And you will be notified as soon as there is a date.

As always, thank you for your patience. Please direct questions or concerns to Jake Dylhoff (chairman), Heath Flynn (vice chairman) Jeremy Thibos, OJ Hamilton, John Adriance, or Pastor Dan, and we will do our best to help.

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Pastor Dan Wilson

[1] Exempt are children 2 years and under, and persons with breathing issues that make wearing a mask problematic.

A Day to Fast and Pray: Saturday, April 4

Hi there, church family!

I have two related opportunities for you to consider. The first is to join me in a day of fasting and prayer this Saturday along with hundreds or thousands more. I will be fasting most of the day on Saturday, seeking the Lord for revival spiritually, for boldness in my own heart and the global church. You can find a guide for praying a morning, midday and evening prayer to the Lord, and more about the day of prayer here:https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/day-fast-pray-april-4/

Second, I know many of you are missing our fellowship as believers right now. I know I miss you all terribly. And we need to seek our God with each other. I believe we need a moment to pray prayers of repentance, trust and hoping in the Lord.

We cannot meet in person, but we can still meet face to face! I’m hosting an informal time to pray together, for 30 minutes this Saturday. It will be from 1pm to 1:30 on an app called zoom. I can’t wait to hear your voices, for any who would be interested! Here is the invite information. (You can also call in over a phone. It would be like a conference call. That way it is not dependent on having internet access  More details at the link provided.)

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Sincerely Pastor Dan

Daniel Wilson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Covey Hill Group Prayer

Time: Apr 4, 2020 01:00 PM America/Detroit

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/862760953?pwd=cTdVQjlpZGQzMEVjNFdZSDlmSzVWZz09

Meeting ID: 862 760 953

Password: coveyhill

April 1st, 2020 UPDATE: Covey Hill Response to COVID-19

It is time for an update on our plans for the next weeks. We are still abiding by the executive order of our governor, as well as recommendations nationally to practice social distancing through April 30th. Therefore will likely not meet throughout the month of April unless otherwise notified.

We seek to love our neighbors, and honor authority, yet this is quite difficult for our church not to meet regularly to worship. The board and I will be exploring alternate ways to keep the church able to worship and fellowship together via livestream or zoom meetings. Please reach out to me or our board members with any questions and concerns you have during this trying time.

In Christ,

Pastor Dan Wilson