This year would mark the 32nd Annual Christmas Dinner. Due to Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions, we regret to announce the decision has been made to cancel this year’s Christmas Dinner. The decision was made for the safety of the workers that prepare the food and for those in the community who would receive meals.
Sterling First Church of the Nazarene, welcome home!
It was great to be able to worship together on Sunday! Beginning this Sunday, July 5 we will have one service at 10am. No need to make a reservation. We encourage everyone to practice social distancing. Wearing a mask is up to each individual.
Pastor Garey announced to the congregation a list of building usage guidelines that have been implemented for Sterling First during the pandemic due to Covid-19. They are as follows:
1. All building usage needs to be approved through the Church Office.
2. For the time being, the building will only be used for existing ministries and team meetings. No rentals will be allowed at this time.
3. Because of Covid-19, every time anyone is in the building it needs to be cleaned and disinfected. In an effort to streamline cleaning and disinfecting of the church buildings:
> Anyone in the buildings for a team meeting or ministry must stay in their reserved area for only their reserved time.
> Please be respectful of the church staff and cleaning schedules and abide by all posted signs and warnings.
> For cleaning purposes, no one should be in either building without the Church Office being aware they are using the building, even after office hours.
4. Drinking fountains and coffee makers are not to be used at this time. Please bring drinks from home.
We appreciate cooperation with these guidelines! Your health and safety is very important to us.
If you have any other questions, please contact the Church Office: 815-625-0864 or office@sterlingnaz.com.
Update from Pastor Garey
You can find all announcements and updates here on Facebook or on the church website: https://www.sterlingnaz.com/covid-19/
Remember, church, to FOCUS on Jesus today! He has life for you today!
Wisdom comes from following Jesus – to be a disciple of Jesus means to follow Him. If you ask, He will give you wisdom, courage, and wings to soar like eagles.
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)
Update from Pastor Garey Miller
• Join us online for worship on Sunday at 10am here on the church Facebook page or Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/sterlingnazarene to hear a message about JOY from Pastor Garey.
• All onsite activities and programs for all ages will be canceled until the Stay-At-Home order is lifted.
I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth! (Psalm 121:1-2)
Update for April 1, 2020
•There will be NO onsite worship for Easter. Service will be recorded and posted on both the church Facebook page and website.
•All activities and programs for all ages will be canceled until the Stay-At-Home order is lifted.
•For this week, the Church Office will be open for email and phone calls only. Monday – Thursday, 9am-Noon Please do not stop by the church without an appointment.
•Call or email the Church Office with any prayer requests or needs, we want to hear from you! 815-625-0864
•Even though we are not meeting, the financial responsibilities of the church continue.
-ONLINE GIVING may be accessed through the church website: www.sterlingnaz.com/giving
-You can mail your tithe to 411 13th Ave, Sterling, IL
-Or you can call the Church Office to have tithing envelopes sent to you: 815-625-0864
•We will continue making decisions on a weekly basis. All updates will be posted to Facebook and the church website or will be sent through email.
Update on COVID-19 Response:
• There will be NO onsite worship on March 29 or April 5. Service will be recorded and posted on both the church Facebook page and website.
• All activities and programs for all ages will be canceled until the Stay-At-Home order is lifted.
• For this week, the Church Office will be open for email and phone calls only. Monday – Thursday, 9am-Noon Please do not stop by the church without an appointment.
• Call or email the Church Office with any prayer requests or needs, we want to hear from you!
• Even though we are not meeting, the financial responsibilities of the church continue.
-ONLINE GIVING may be accessed through the church website: www.sterlingnaz.com/giving
-Drop your tithe in the mail: 411 13th Ave, Sterling, IL
-Call the Church Office to have tithing envelopes sent to you: 815-625-0864
• We will continue making decisions on a weekly basis and keeping everyone updated through Facebook, email, and the church website as to how we will be proceeding.
• Dr. Garey and Brenda Miller plan to be in town April 8, and will be with us for Easter Sunday, April 12
Don’t forget: In the midst of this current crisis, EASTER IS COMING!
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
You can friend Dr. Garey on Facebook! Go here: https://www.facebook.com/garey.a.miller
GREETINGS IN THE POWERFUL NAME OF JESUS!
Be extremely careful when listening to the news regarding COVED-19.
Some news sources are not accurate.
For example, when there is nothing new to report, some news sources ramp up and sensationalize old news to boost their ratings.
In other words, they are SPREADING ALARMING STORIES that are not true. These false stories cause fear and anxiety.
In these days, it is very difficult not to be afraid. God’s Word gives us immediate help.
‘When I am afraid, I will trust in You’ (Psalm 56:3).
Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (John 14:27).
Praying for you and with you,
Dr. Garey Alan Miller
GREETINGS IN THE POWERFUL NAME OF JESUS!
Tremendous effort is being exerted, and rightly so, in our community and in our church to protect all from the COVID-19 VIRUS.
Today, I want to remind you that EASTER IS COMING with the hope and promise of new life.
In these days leading to Easter, let us be committed to walking with Jesus through His sufferings, His death, and His glorious resurrection.
Please take some time to pray and reflect on these words from:
MARK 10:32-34:
They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to Him.
‘Listen,’ he said, ‘we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence Him to die and hand Him over to the Romans. They will mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him with a whip, and kill Him, BUT AFTER THREE DAYS HE WILL RISE AGAIN.’
Brenda and I love you and hope to be with you soon!
Dr. Garey Alan Miller, (Interim Pastor)
Dear Friends,
Please hear Jesus say,
‘Don’t Be Afraid.
Take Courage!
I AM HERE!’
(Mark 6:50)
Praying for you and with you.
Dr. Garey Miller (soon to be Interim Lead Pastor)
Sterling First Family: a message from our (soon-to-be) interim pastor, Dr. Garey Miller about updates due to COVID-19 and how the church will be responding.
•There will be NO onsite worship services for the next 2 weeks (3/22 & 3/29). There will be a recorded service available via the church website and Facebook page.
•Adult Life Groups & Sunday School, Children’s & Teens activities will not meet for the next 2 weeks.
•Please call the Church Office with questions or prayer requests. Office Hours: Mon – Thurs, 9am-Noon, 1-3pm.
•Helping Hands Pantry will be closed until April upon further review.
•Online Giving may be accessed through the church website: https://www.sterlingnaz.com/giving/ OR you may call the Church Office to have tithing envelopes sent to you. 815-625-0864
This crisis is ever-changing, and our staff is committed to making decision that will assure the health and safety of all.
For more updates, please stay tuned here and make sure the Church Office has your current email address. Email any updates to: office@sterlingnaz.com
REMEMBER: Don’t panic, PRAY!
On Sunday, March 15 the worship service will still be happening at 10am, however there will be some procedural changes. Those changes will be outlined for everyone at the beginning of the service.
There will be NO: Children’s Church, Children’s Sunday School, Nursery, Teen Sunday School, or Adult Sunday School or Life Groups. To recap: the only thing happening tomorrow, March 15, is the 10am Worship Service.
We also want you to know that if you do not feel comfortable coming to church, the service will be recorded and posted later in the afternoon as it usually is.
More information will follow as to how we will be proceeding over the next few weeks. Please be on the lookout for an email update early in the week.
>>Erin