" To a Teen Beginning a New Chapter"

 

One of the many enduring images we will remember from the spring of 2020 will be the unique ways that families, communities, and high schools are recognizing and honoring this year's graduates during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Their sons and daughters may not get to walk across the stage and shake a hand as they receive their diploma, but parents may feel the lump in the throat and tears in their eyes just the same. High school graduation signals not just the end of a significant chapter in a young person's life, but, usually, the end of living at home with parents and family.  It is a proud and satisfying moment for mom and dad, but an emotional one as well.

 

At my daughter Lauren's baccalaureate, the closing song was a duet sung by Lauren and her best friend, Heather Coggins.  It was Michael W. Smith's "Friends are Friends Forever", and there was hardly a dry eye in the house among students and parents alike.  As they finished, the entire assemblage gave them a standing ovation.  Everyone knew they were singing not just for themselves, but for all their senior classmates and friends.

 

Graduation is also a reminder that maybe the most important and difficult job around is parenting.  It is one of the few jobs of which the purpose is to work oneself out of a job!  How well have we done our work?  Time will tell.  But for all the families who have a graduate this year, I share with you this poem written by Michael H. Popkin.  It is titled, "A Final Gift:  Letting Go" (to a teen leaving home).

 

Boats in the harbor are safe near shore, far from the unknown sea,

But just as boats were made for more, it's the same with you and me.

Those who would anchor their teens with a stone in hopes of preventing a wreck,

Find that their fears are never undone and the stone ends up weighing both necks.

 

So I give you a port called home where your ship was built so strong,

And if you need to harbor here, you'll know that you always belong.

And I give you the maps you'll need that you may set the course

For places that I'll never see, so go without remorse.

Tilting your sails into the wind with hope and vision and courage,

I kiss you once, then touch your chin, and wish you bon voyage!

 

In the name of the One who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

Bruce Jones, Pastor and Co-Creator,

Imagine Church of the Carolinas

      

 

Here is the plan for the regathering of Imagine Church as developed by the church staff and reported to the Leadership Team. Please note that this is our plan at this time, and it is subject to changes and/or additions:

 

 

This Sunday, May 31:  There will be drive-in and sit outdoors worship at the Gordon-Conwell campus, 10:15 a.m.

 

Sundays, June 7 and 14:  There will be online worship only, with Gregory's message to Imagine Kids at 10:00 a.m., Sunday worship with Pastor Bruce's message at 10:15, and Tim's message to Imagine Nation Youth at 11:00.  

 

Beginning on Sunday, June 21, while online worship will continue as an option for worship, there will also be a limited gathering in the Gordon-Conwell chapel offered at two different times:  9:30 and 11:00 a.m.  You will have the option of signing up to attend either service via a SignUpGenius.  Imagine Nation youth will meet at either hour, but, in lieu of Imagine Kids meeting at either hour, Gregory will share a brief children's message as part of worship at 9:30 and 11:00 in the chapel.

 

If you fit any of the following criteria, DO NOT attend in-person worship:  Families with any symptoms of illness, including: fever over 100 degrees; cough or sore throat; shortness of breath; sudden loss of taste or smell; have been diagnosed with or been in contact with anyone confirmed to have had COVID-19 (in the past 14 days).

 

We encourage you NOT to attend if you consider yourself to be among the higher risk populations or have underlying health issues.

 

If you are comfortable with attending, we recommend everyone wear a face mask or cloth face covering.  When you arrive, please proceed directly to the chapel and be seated.  Please do not congregate in the rotunda before or after the services as we will not be providing refreshments or coffee at this time.

 

Please maintain 6 feet of social distancing at all times, except your own household.  Waving is encouraged, but avoid personal contact like shaking hands, hugging, and congregating with others.

 

Every other row will remain vacant with tape blocking the vacant seats, or some rows will be removed.  Please sit at the end of the rows; the middle section will be marked off.  At the close of the service, we will dismiss by rows or sections.

 

Hand sanitizer stations and disposable face masks will be provided.  We will not be "passing the basket" for offering.  There will be offering baskets on stands near the doors to the chapel.  GCTS personnel are assisting us by sanitizing the facilities before and after our use on Sunday mornings.

 

When Phase 3 is initiated, Pastor Bruce will resume being at the church office and will also resume counseling with individuals and couples in person (currently it is being done by phone).  We look forward to Phase 4 when we can resume our normal ministry schedule along with the resumption of Life Groups and Imagine Kids' ministry. 

      

Dear Pastor Bruce,

 

During this difficult and unprecedented time you have led our church family with wisdom and grace. Your leadership is giving our church family hope and resilience at a time when the whole world needs it.  I look forward each week to your back porch service, the view is so peaceful.  With the sun's rays shining down in the background, it truly feels like a holy place.  I will miss that when we return to in-person service -- though it will be great to see everyone again.  I just wanted to drop you a quick note to tell you what a wonderful job you and the church are doing, especially under these challenging times.  I'm so glad you are my pastor.

 

With shared love in Jesus Christ,

Bonita Nugent

   

There are so many opportunities that exist for our church family to be the hands and feet of Jesus and help others through various means of service right here in our community.  If you are aware of an opportunity that you would like to see highlighted in this section of the newsletter, please email any pertinent information to Kari DiDonato at her Imagine Church email account: [email protected] 

 

 

 

Inspirational Song:

 

"Beautiful" 

By: MercyMe 

 

You're beautiful,
You're beautiful,
You are made for so much more than all of this.
You're beautiful,
You're beautiful,
You are treasured, you are sacred
You are His.
You're beautiful.

      

Submitted by:  Jennifer Tankersley,

Minister of Worship and the Arts 

 

Bible Verse of Encouragement:

 

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.' "  (Mark 10:27)

Lee Morgan | 704-609-6172 | [email protected] 

 

Home-Based Life Groups

The Greater Community Life Group will meet again for fellowship and prayer via Zoom conference on Wednesday, June 3 at 6:00 p.m.  If you are interested in participating with this group, please email Heidi Chausse at [email protected] for the Zoom link.

 

The Landing Life Group has decided to suspend meeting for the summer.  Please stay tuned for information about when this life group will reconvene following the summer months. 

 

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We ask all home-based Life Groups to let us know their meeting schedule by dropping us a note at  [email protected] .  Thanks!  

 

Pastor Bruce Jones | 980-999-3500 | [email protected]

If you won't be attending this Sunday's drive-in worship at Gordon-Conwell, be sure to tune in to Facebook Live at 10:15 a.m. when Gregory will share "What Jesus Did, Part 4", the continuation of his message from last week, with Imagine Kids and their families.  Parents, if your child has illustrated a picture of Jesus or of somebody showing kindness to others, please either take a moment to post your kids' artwork on this Facebook post, or you may bring the artwork with you to this Sunday's drive-in worship.  Thank you!

Upcoming Events:

Please stay tuned for information about future Imagine Kids events.  

 

May Memory Verse

Parents, here is this month's memory verse for you to practice with your child(ren)!

   

 

This past Sunday, Tim shared his message titled "I Still Believe" with Imagine Nation Youth and their families.   This Sunday, May 31, Tim will deliver an inspiring message, "God's Path: Your Steps are Ordered", as he and Pastor Bruce honor our 2020 high school, college, and seminary graduates at our drive-in worship at Gordon-Conwell.  If you will not be able to attend this Sunday's drive-in worship, be sure to tune in to Facebook Live at 10:15 a.m. so that you can be part of our online faith community and help us recognize and celebrate our graduates. 

 

 

Upcoming Events:

 

 

IMAGINE CHURCH