RECC Updates for COVID-19

Brother and Sisters in Christ,

One year ago today, we had closed the doors of our church building and had no idea when we would be able to open them. Churches all over the country were in the same situation. As it turns out we worshiped online for 10 weeks, and when we started back up at the end of May it with two services. Slowly we came back to one service, then Sunday School and other events. In January and February of last year, we averaged 105 in worship and today we average 50.

I thought it was time for an update of what is going on at RECC. As a word of encouragement from an angel in Luke 1:37, spoken to Mary, “Nothing is impossible with God.” (NIV), and we have certainly seen God’s hand at work in our lives and in the lives of our families over the last year. There seems to have been more than our share of sickness and struggles, but the body of Christ has stepped up to the plate and hit home runs every time.

RECC by the numbers:
• Average attendance in person from June to December 2020 was 57, with an average online view of 22. (Remember that online views may represent more than one person watching.)
• Average giving for June to December 2020 was $13,553 a month.
• Church programming has returned largely to normal, with social distancing in place.
- Sunday morning study at 9:30 to soon begin a study called “Unsaved Christian” by Dean Inserra.
- Sunday night study at 6PM on “The Story” by Randy Frazee.
- FUSION for Jr. High/High School meets Sunday nights at 6PM.
- Wednesday morning study at 10AM on “The Blessing” by John Trent and Gary Smalley.
- Wednesday evening JAM children’s program at 6:15.

Things coming up:
• Resurrection Week schedule:
- Koinonia Service April 1 at 6:30 (a meal with fellowship and service).
- Easter Egg Hunt April 4 at 9:00, light breakfast at 9:30.
- Morning Worship April 1 at 10:30.
• April 18 is our Annual meeting directly after worship and a meal is being planned to follow.
• We have a Vision Team of 10 people who have been working with CEM since August to develop a new vision for RECC, that will be discussed at the Annual meeting.

I love the story of Winston Churchill visiting Harrow School on October 29, 1941 to speak to the students. In that speech after listing hardships, he mentions the lesson of it all, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” (Winstonchurchill.org)

Even greater is the story found in Revelation 19 where it paints a vivid picture of Christ and His greatness, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.” (Revelation 19:11-14 NIV)

BOTTOM LINE: We serve an awesome God. HE has won, and those with Him will win too! Join with me in prayer as we continue to offer up praise and glory to Him who sits on the throne. At the writing of this letter many have had their vaccine to protect them from the coronavirus. I look forward to the day when we will be able to meet again as one in the building at 1247 Cedar Bend St. in Waterloo. Until then I want to close with the blessing on you all that God told the Levites to pray on the Israelites, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV)

Keep on Keeping on till Jesus comes!

Tim

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Brothers and Sisters,

In his study on Crisis 101, Robert Morgan shares amazing stories of people who have been in a crisis, and how God stepped in and made everything right. In their sharing of the victory they find in Jesus, they give glory to God and tell us that victory is made possible only when they claimed Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

Congregations are not so different from people; we go through stages of depression and frustration; we have good days and bad days; we celebrate new life and mourn the passing of loved ones. When the culture we live in and work in goes through tough times we as a congregation go through the same struggles, the difference is that we live with a higher purpose of belief in Christ resurrection. Paul wrote to the early church in Thessalonica, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NIV)

We have the hope of victory in Christ over all obstacles. With that in mind I want to share a few things happening with RECC: First, we have begun the 2nd stage to recovery for River’s Edge, which includes our worship time back to one service at 10:30. We will continue at this time to not have children’s programming or the Coffee Café.

Secondly, we have started a “Vision Frame Pathway” with CEM. The Director of CEM, Dave Fremstad, will be coming to RECC for the next 5 months to lead a group of people in this process. Our purpose is to set us again on a pathway to growing our community closer to Christ. We will share our progress with you regularly. A few other things I wanted to share with you…

• The Coffee Time group is meeting in the church building on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 (some choose to participate by way of Zoom).

• The youth had an overnight event with 9 youth present.

• The JAM crew met a couple of weeks ago, and we are all in for making JAM happen this fall.

• I am currently aware of two members who have the corona virus and another is being tested at this time. They are doing fine; only experiencing minor symptoms at this point.

• We will continue to maintain the social distancing guidelines of 6 feet unless you are wearing a mask and suggest we wear masks when present at RECC, even when singing during our worship time. Removing them only when you are seated in your chair.

Be encouraged that if you have a need, you may call the church building (319-233-0055) or my personal cell phone number (319-429-4898). If you call my phone right now, I will answer and do all I can to assist you. Please know you are not alone. I continue to thank God for you and your constant support of the work at RECC.

In closing, let me share that we are experiencing Victory in Jesus! Our garden plots look great as the community we serve has planted seeds, and they grow to the glory of God. The Youth met on an overnight event, and I hear great things for our kids from it! Our prayer team regularly goes to our Heavenly Father in intercessory prayer for many sick and lost! The gospel goes out every week online, and each day the work of the church continues!

In the name of Jesus,

Tim Platt, Sr. Minister

Dear Fellow Disciples of Christ,

As I write this letter, we have missed six Sundays of gathering together in our building, and the leadership team has decided it is best to cancel most of the month of May, with our next worship time in our building to be May 31st. You will be informed before that day if things change. When we do meet again there will be a few changes. I’m not sure what they are right now, but we will have put some guidelines in place to follow the recent expectations of social distancing and sanitation. Governor Reynolds recently opened up 77 counties in Iowa, but Black Hawk County is not one of them so we remain under stricter guidelines. Thank you for your patience, and your constant support in prayer and giving in multiple ways during this time.

I want to share a little with you about what has been happening at RECC during this time:

STAFF: Jess and I are busy preparing for the online service and keeping contact with those in need, whether they are a part of the church or reaching out to the community. We are busy doing youth group, worship, bible studies, and participation in prayer times.

Focus Teams: (The Teams of people who carry on the ministry of the church during this time.)

1. Service to the Community Team has plowed the garden plots and we have people in the community that are planning to plant a garden this month.

2. Prayer Team has been busy praying for the needs of some who are recovering from recent surgeries or other health problems. We have some in our community who are wrestling with health concerns. As well as the needs of the church body as a whole who are dealing with the loss of jobs and dealing with the isolation recommendations.

3. Building and Grounds have been gearing up to begin mowing and taking care of our property.

Congregation: It has been encouraging to see the interaction of the body of Christ with the world on Face Book, and other ways of ministering to each other online and personal ways through the sending of cards, texting, emails, phone calls and some socially distanced visits.

I am thankful for the faithfulness of the church body in the giving of tithes and offerings. Our expenses are around $12,000 a month. We were informed by the finance team our giving for April totaled $12,963.71.

There are many things that have become clear during this time of isolation and cancelation. One is the beauty of the God we serve and His people especially during a time of crisis. You are all amazing!

As I close, I echo the words of the Apostle Paul almost 2000 years ago, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6, NASB)

What a glorious picture of the church during tough times. Do you hear the words from Paul describing who you are “Participation in the gospel”? Even “from the first day until now” our purpose, our joy is in serving in the capacity we have been set aside for! Thank you all for your work during this time in serving one another and providing the continuing of the gospel.

Praying for it!

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Brothers and Sisters,

Once again the leadership team, in view of the recommendations of the President and CDC, feels compelled to cancel activity at RECC for another two weeks. That includes April 19 and 26 for now. The annual meeting is canceled for now and will be rescheduled when it becomes more clear what the future holds.

If you have a need you may call the church building (319-233-0055) or leadership personally. Thank you again for the continued support both in time spent in prayer and financial gifts to the church in the last couple of weeks. When it is clear what is to be done, the leadership will inform you about what is to happen. In the meantime, we will continue to provide worship services online at the regular worship times. If you need instruction on how to be able to watch the church services online, contact the church office.

Paul wrote to the early church, the Body of Christ, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB) Let us all take heart knowing God is with us and will provide. If you are troubled, feel free to call the office or leadership for comfort.

In the name of Jesus,

RECC Leadership: Ron, Scott, Chis, Lantz

RECC Staff: Tim, Jess, Rita

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Brothers and Sisters,

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV)

The leadership team, in view of the recommendations of the President and CDC, feel compelled to cancel activity at RECC for another two weeks, and possibly for all of April. We will let you know when things change.

Be encouraged that, if you have a need, you may call the church building (319-233-0055) or call leadership personally. Thank you to all who have given of your resources, both in time spent in prayer and financial gifts to the church in the last couple of weeks, and for the continued support to the cause of Christ in our area.

Our Sunday Worship times, and during the week activities will be cancelled April 5 and April 12. At that time leadership will re-evaluate where things are and determine if we will postpone for a while longer or resume regular activities. We will provide worship services online during the regular worship times. If you need instruction on how to be able to watch the church services online, contact the church office.

Jesus, in the sermon on the mount says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33,34 (NIV) Let us rejoice in the love God the Father has for us and find joy in the fact that he will provide.

In the name of Jesus,

RECC Leadership: Ron, Scott, Chis, Lantz

RECC Staff: Tim, Jess, Rita

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Brothers and Sisters,

We want to keep you up to date on some things that are happening at River's Edge in view of the Covid-19 that is spreading across our nation.

In an effort to follow the guidelines of the President and CDC, as well as providing safety for all during this time, the leadership of River's Edge has decided to cancel all church activities for the next two weeks. This means our Sunday Worship times and all activities during the week will be canceled until March 30.

Leadership will re-evaluate where things are and determine whether to postpone for a while longer or resume regular activities. We will provide worship services online during the regular worship times.

We would like to remind you that the work of the church continues even though we do not have services at the building. Would you please pray for our influence during this time and continue your support in prayer, giving of tithes and offerings, and the encouragement of the body.

Later this week you will receive more information telling you where to go for the service we will provide. During this time, we are here to serve you, so feel free to call, text, email, or stop by, you are very welcome.

In the name of Jesus,
RECC Leadership: Ron, Scott, Chris, Lantz
RECC Staff: Tim, Jess, Rita