Olivet EFC- Spring Lake and muskegon, MI

COVID-19 Response

A note from our Pastor

March 23rd, 2020

Dear Olivet family,

Let’s start HERE:

Psalm 34:1-10 (NLT):

¹I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
²I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.
³Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

⁴I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
⁵Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
⁶In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
⁷For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

⁸Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
⁹Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
¹⁰Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

As the virus continues to spread, the restrictions are being tightened, let’s be gracious and wise in our response to this. If your personal perspective is more or less “apprehensive”, don’t be angry with those who don’t see things exactly the same way you do. Do everything in your power to help the slowing of this virus, because the more we heed and restrict now, the sooner this will be appropriately controlled.

In line with the Governor’s executive order today (3/23/2020), we now are cancelling on campus services and gatherings until AFTER Easter (April 12). We will continue to provide content (teaching, worship, devotional challenges, updates and encouragement) online, If you have not both “Liked” and “Subscribed” to Olivet’s Facebook page, you are going to miss some of those things. Please do that right now! Olivet’s Facebook

CURRENTLY: Our Harvey campus will be keeping normal office hours (more or less) so the church family can call with questions and needs and so that our “Meal Maker” ministry can collect and distribute food to those in need. The office entrance door will be locked so you will need to call or knock to get staff attention. It might be wise to call before driving to the campus to make sure staff is available to you. The Marquette campus will be closed for the time being, but calls to the Marquette Campus will be forwarded to the Harvey campus.

APRIL 2 BLOOD DRIVE: We have checked with Versiti (Michigan Blood) and the drive will continue as scheduled. This is considered an “essential gathering” by the State of Michigan because blood supplies are so low. PLEASE, if you can give, plan to give. Note: Going to the Versiti web site and registering for a time slot in advance is a good thing for you and them. Walk-ins ARE allowed, but will be required to wait in their cars until a slot opens up.

OLIVET BEING “BEST NEIGHBORS”: We received a call from ProMed ambulance that their crews were being turned away at police and fire stations (where they normally go to use restrooms and use microwaves to heat meals. They wondered if we would give them access to our Marquette Campus so they could access the facilities for those purposes. Starting today, and until some of the restrictions are lifted, ProMed crews will be using our building. It is a blessing to be able to help/honor those serving our community.

GIVING: Our sincere gratitude to the many who have been giving online and mailing your tithes/offerings to the church. Last week, only about 1/3 of our normal weekly giving came in and we know that many of our church family hoped the shutdown was going to be very temporary. With that question now being answered, you have responded with generosity and we thank you!

We’ll stay in touch as the week unfolds.

Pastor Craig for your Olivet staff and leadership