June 21, 2020

NAZ NEWS

Grace and peace be with you!

For the remainder of the summer, we will be taking a

journey together through the book of Romans. In essence,

this book is a Love Letter. The theme running through Paul’s

letter to the Romans is the revelation of God’s righteousness

- His love-filled plan for salvation through Jesus Christ.

Be well! Be loving! Be courageous! Be The Church!

In Christ,

Pastor Brian King

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Face-to-face worship services will resume at Nazareth on Sunday, July 5! See page 2 for more details as we excitedly prepare to come back together. Those who are not feeling well, have known exposure to Covid-19 or are at high risk for complications are encouraged to continue to worship with us online or via our CFU or CW broadcasts.

The Nazareth Church Offices are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Friday. The Naz Food and Essentials Pantry continues to serve clients...and donations may be delivered to Door #1 during office hours.

Please join Pastor Brian King and others every Monday at 12:00 noon this summer for “Prayer at the CROSSroads” - 10-15 minutes focused on sharing God’s Word and praying for the healing, strength, and peace of our community, nation, and world. Pastor Brian will meet you outside Door #1 at the Prayer Circle.

Thank you for all your prayers as I have been confined to my own room at Pinnacle Care. I truly appreciate all of your cards, care and phone calls! ~Norma DeLavergne

Would you like to reach out with cards or phone calls to our Nazareth family members in care centers? Please call the church office for contact information!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! As we deeply desire to continue to do the ministry God has called us to here, your continued generous support of prayers, service, and financial gifts is so important. Even while we are apart physically, giving is still possible online at www.naz.org/give. You can also mail your donation to the church office or use the free GIVE+ Mobile App (by searching “GIVE PLUS CHURCH” in the app store). We cannot do this without you and are deeply grateful for your continued partnership!

CONNECT WITH US Address: 7401 University Avenue, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Phone: 319-266-7589 Email: info@naz.org

Website: www.naz.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyNazareth

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mynazchurch

FIND NAZ WORSHIP SERVICES ONLINE!

Each week, our Sunday Worship Service will be posted online at 9:00 a.m. You can watch by going to our Facebook page or by clicking the “WORSHIP ONLINE” icon at www.naz.org.

FIND NAZ WORSHIP SERVICES ON CFU!

Nazareth's Online Worship Services are being broadcast on the Cedar Falls Utilities Public Access Channel (Analog Channel 18 or Digital Channel 95.5 on CFU Cable) on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m., Saturdays evenings 5:00 p.m. and Sundays at 8:00 a.m.

FIND NAZ WORSHIP SERVICES ON THE CW!

Nazareth's Online Worship Services are being broadcast on the CW Cable Television Network at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. See your local cable listings for the channel.

WE ARE FAMILY.

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN.

Last month, a group of committed volunteers came together to

plant the Naz Garden in the Cedar Falls Community Garden,

which is located just north of Gateway Park. The produce grown

in the Naz Garden will be shared with those in need in our

community via the Naz Food and Essentials Pantry. A big THANK

YOU to all who got their hands dirty for the cause of Christ!

Take a look at page 3 for additional photos from the planting of the

Naz Garden. Would you like to help weed, water or harvest this

season? Email Pastor Denny at dennis.hanson@naz.org.

Face-to-face worship services will resume at Nazareth on Sunday, July 5Sunday, July 5Sunday, July 5!

As cases of Covid-19 decrease and in keeping with our three-phased plan to resume face-to-face worship services, we are committed to making our space as safe as possible!

Here’s our plan: Worship services will be held in the Nazareth Worship Center. The time frame for the services will be abbreviated to allow for sanitizing

between services and increased social distancing. The times of the worship services are:

FIRST SERVICE: 9:00-9:45 a.m.

SECOND SERVICE: 10:45-11:30 a.m.

We will adhere to a touch-free environment by greeting you with smiles and waves.

We will not pass Bibles, pens, or hymnals - these will be removed from the pews.

We will not pass the offering plates; however, giving is still possible in a variety of ways (see below for more details).

We will not pass paper bulletins.

Please sign up to receive the weekly Naz News - you can get this weekly newsletter via email or postal mail.

Call the church office at 319-266-7589 or go to www.naz.org/naz-news to sign up.

A limited number of the printed Naz News will be available at the Welcome Desk to take with you as you leave, if desired.

We will offer Communion (on 1st and 3rd Sundays - beginning July 19).

Communion will be the final part of the worship service.

All communion servers will wear gloves and masks.

Pre-filled, individual cups will be used rather than a common cup.

While wearing masks, we will sing hymns and worship songs together.

For the remainder of the summer, no coffee or treats will be available.

Our staff and volunteer teams will wear masks.

Greeters and ushers will assist you in finding a socially distanced spot in the worship center.

Hand sanitizers will be located throughout the building.

Our facilities team will regularly sanitize high touch areas between services and will do a deep cleaning following each Sunday.

Our Education Hallway, Blessed Beginnings Classrooms, and Family Life Center will remain closed for the time being.

Small groups will not meet in the church building for the time being.

Here’s what you can do: If you’re not feeling well, have known exposure to Covid-19 or are at high risk, please stay home and enjoy our online or broadcast

services. These will continue - even after face-to-face worship services have resumed. To connect...

Click the “WORSHIP ONLINE” icon at www.naz.org any time after 9:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Watch the CFU Public Access Channel at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays or 8:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Watch the CW Television Network at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.

When joining us for worship, please use Doors #1, 2, 3, and/or 7.

When joining us for worship, please use social distancing by remaining six feet away from those not in your household.

Frequently wash/sanitize your hands.

Out of care and concern for others, we highly encourage you to bring and wear your own mask. We will have masks available for those who need one.

We deeply desire to continue to do the ministry God has called us to here. Your continued generous support of prayers, service, and financial gifts is so important. You can still give:

By placing your offering into the receptacle at the exits or the Welcome Desk.

By going online at www.naz.org/give.

By mailing your donation to the church office - 7401 University Avenue, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

By using the free GIVE+ Mobile App (by searching “GIVE PLUS CHURCH” in the app store).

If you have any questions at all...

please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email at info@naz.org or by phone at 319-266-7589.

For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,

so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise

to sprout up before all the nations.

(Isaiah 61:11)

THE

NAZ GARDEN

Would you like to visit the Naz Garden to take a look at how things are growing

there? Feel free to take a drive to visit the Cedar Falls Community Gardens at

300 Lincoln Street and look for the Nazareth signage. Christ

VBS ONLINE - Knights of the North Castle

June 28 - July 2

REGISTER NOW by clicking the “REGISTER FOR VBS” icon at www.naz.org.

Once you register, we will be in touch with more VBS details to help you get

ready! VBS ONLINE this year will have all kinds of fun and surprises you can

enjoy from home - including live Facebook worship, Bible drama videos,

crafts/games/science experiments and Zoom interaction activities as well.

Knights of North Castle: Quest for the King’s Armor invites children and fami-

lies to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power by exploring how

we put on the armor of God. All week long, we will “armor up” with…

TRUTH | JUSTICE | PEACE | FAITH | SALVATION

We’ll focus in on Ephesians 6:10 as our theme verse for the week:

“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power." Want to help with VBS? Volunteers, head to www.naz.org/children to complete the volunteer signup form.

GET TO KNOW THE NAZ STAFF

AN INTERVIEW WITH KIM ALBERTSEN, CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR:

Kimbo, your enthusiasm for VBS knows no bounds. What do you love so much about VBS? Why I love VBS... I suppose

there are many reasons. First its like a big family holiday but with your church family. You spend weeks prepping with different family members and then the whole extended family gathers for the 5 nights and then its over before you know it. You are exhausted but it was such an amaz-ing time. Not everything goes as planned but God does big things through it all anyway. The friendships that get formed at VBS, the years of memories and laughs, the bible story lessons and skits, the mission projects and the songs for worship.

Its always a guessing game which song from which year is going to be a favorite of the kids and wonder how long it will last. One favorite is "Wild Ride!" which comes from Avalanche Ranch VBS 2007, but its so popular amongst the KidzMin and VBS crew that it was the most requested song for my wedding reception. So I took a chance and played it, and well from the picture here you can see that one song has made many memories throughout the years as we continue to share Jesus with the kids and challenge them all to grow in their faith. Which knowing Jesus and growing in your faith really should be reason 1 why I love VBS. However to me its all wrapped up all into one big reason. It just all goes together.

Yes this year we are trying virtual and it looks different participating at home and not with all 400 kiddos and 175+ volunteers in the worship center. We will make the best of it and we actually are excited about a few of the things this

allows us to do. We pray its a one year option and we pray that God will do mighty things for his Kingdom through VBS.

The last reason I love VBS is we use it as an outreach to bring in kids that do not have a home church and/or do not know Jesus. VBS is a non-threatening, safe environment to bring your child's friend or invite your neighbor or coworker's kids. VBS is a five night commitment that can change a person's life for eternity. That, my friend, is worth it!

AN UPDATE FROM OUR MISSION PARTNER IN CAIRO, EGYPT

ST. ANDREWS REFUGEE SERVICE (StARS)

In May, Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS) surveyed 51 refugee community schools, which collectively educate over 15,000 children

from displaced communities. Of those school leaders surveyed, 94 percent report that they have been unable to pay teacher salaries in full

since March, and 82 percent report that they are unable to meet their rental costs. Many expressed concerns that they will be unable to

weather the economic shock of COVID-19, and may not be able to re-open when restrictions are eased. Refugee community schools play an

important role in educating children from displaced populations. At present, refugees from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Iraq, and other countries

(approximately 20 percent of the refugee population) are not entitled to access Egyptian public education. Additionally, many children of

nationalities with a right to enter the state education system (Syrians, Sudanese, South Sudanese, and Yemenis) do not attend for reasons

including a preference for their own national curricula, documentation barriers to enrolment in public schools, and xenophobia and harassment

in the Egyptian system. Until such time as all refugee children have meaningful and safe access to state schools, material support is needed

for community schools educating refugee children. We thank Nazareth for their commitment to contribute $75,000.00 to assist with the

programs that help many of these students! The implications of Covid-19 are far-reaching, and we are thankful for investment in community

schools to ensure that schools can continue to operate beyond the current pandemic. For more details about how you can support StARS, go

to Nazareth’s U.S. and World Missions page at https://naz.org/u-s-world-missions.

A woman is receiving her food and hygiene box - Photographer Eihab Idriss

StARS staff is handing out emergency assistance while maintaining social distancing rules - Photographer Eihab Idriss

Women receiving GAP Education packages - Photographer Eihab Idriss

______________

“For I was hungry and you gave me

food, I was thirsty and you gave me

drink, I was a stranger and you

welcomed me.”

Matthew 25:35

_____________

READ IT!

As we begin our journey through the Book of Romans throughout this summer, I would strongly encourage each of you to commit to reading the Book of Romans in its entirety several times over the next three months.

WATCH IT!

The American Gospel is a new documentary on Netflix that explores ways in which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is often corrupted and distorted in the North American context. While its treatment of current Roman Catholic teachings is a bit skewed (and I would say inaccurate), this documentary is well worth your time and reflection.

LIVE IT!

In loving response to God's blessings in your life, consider volunteering with one of our Local Missions Partners. Two area partners that have immediate volunteer needs are Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity and the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo. Sign up to serve or find more information about how to support them here:

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity

www.webuildhabitat.org

319-235-9946

You can also visit the Habitat ReStore at 4107 Hammond Avenue in Waterloo!

Northeast Iowa Food Bank

www.northeastiowafoodbank.org

319-235-0507

WORSHIP This Week’s Sermon: Living Together in God’s Amazing Grace

This Week’s Texts: Romans 3:21-25 and Matthew 18:21-35

GO BEYOND…

Use the “Read It”, “Watch It” and “Live It” recommendations to apply this Sunday’s sermon to your everyday happenings. And/or, gather with a small group to discuss the sermon and do life together! Not connected with a Naz small group yet? Email Pastor Bob Ericson at bob.ericson@naz.org to learn more or join a group.

DIGEST THE WORD...

Read the scripture passages from the week’s Sunday’s Worship Service and reflect on the sermon and on these questions to help you live out God’s Word in your everyday life. Or, use these questions in your Naz Small Group to discuss and apply each week’s scripture and sermon!

What does this passage teach you about who God is?

What are the personal implications (for you)?

What does this mean for the Church as a whole?

How did this passage and sermon challenge or encourage you?

What questions do you have about this topic?

BELONG

The BELONG Membership Class will be offered on Sunday eve-nings in August - August 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please contact Lori Fegley to learn more or sign up:

By phone at 319-266-7589

Via email at lori.fegley@naz.org