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Update – March 18, 2020

Please read completely to be informed of all the changes we are implementing due to the crisis. 

Until further notice, all in person church services and activities are cancelled per state and national guidelines for gatherings. Thankfully, our meetings will continue in an online format through the use of Zoom videoconferencing, Facebook Live and Facebook Watch, and YouTube videos. Here is the schedule for worship this Sabbath. Plan to tune in!

– 9:00 a.m. – Grow Group – Taught by Pastor Nick Kersten
Request an invitation to be a part of the Zoom video chat by sending an email to: theconnectingchurch@gmail.com

– 10:30 a.m. – Worship
Tune in at our regularly scheduled time for worship to our Facebook Watch Party by going to the church’s Facebook page (facebook.com/theconnectingchurch) or by going to our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/channel/UCWlD-ZcnBwovw0IUtkC9VbA). We will worship “together” in song and through the preaching of God’s Word.

You can still give online! Yes!

Even though we aren’t able to meet in person together, you can still support the ministry of the church through online giving. Check out how to do that on our webpage at theconnecting.church/giving/. Or if you want to do it the old fashioned way, you can still write a check and mail it to the church!

Small group Bible studies and other online gatherings

Our various ministries will be using Zoom or other forms of online communication so that we can continue to encourage one another in our spiritual growth and in our worship of the Lord Jesus. Invitations to these meetings will be sent via email. If you want to connect via your smart phone, just download the Zoom app. If you want to connect on your computer, no download is necessary. Just click the link from the email invitation when your group is meeting, and you will be directed to the group video chat through your browser.

A word of encouragement

The scripture says, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10) Even though we are all experiencing a massive amount of change, we can be strong in the Lord because of His strength which lives in us. Being strong does not mean being in denial of our feelings. We are afraid, unsure, anxious, angry, confused, disappointed, weary, and a bunch of other emotions. Let us remind ourselves and each other that the Lord is always at work, and His work is always perfect! Look to the Lord and see what He is doing as a result of this crisis. And don’t forget to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to hear each other’s YES GOD stories!

May the Lord richly bless you in this difficult time with an increased measure of His presence! May the Lord use this time to soften all of our hearts to His agenda!!

See you (online) soon!

Pastor Nate

Update – March 15, 2020

In response to the unprecedented events of the coronavirus pandemic, the trustees of the church have decided to respond based on the best understanding from health officials and out of care and concern for our fellow humans.

We will be closing the church office this week and cancelling all church activities.

We will also not be meeting for worship this coming Sabbath, March 21^st.

If you are in need of pastoral care, please do not hesitate to call, text or email Pastor Nate or Pastor Liz. Our church Administrator, Janet, will be monitoring the church office phone and email in order to respond to all inquiries as well. We anticipate that we will need to stay closed and cancel activities for a longer period of time, so stay tuned for further updates.

We are responding this way because we are learning that social distancing is key to “flattening out the curve” of those who have confirmed cases of COVID-19. It is out of love for our neighbor that we are taking this approach. We don’t want to contribute if at all possible to the spread of the virus, and we are especially concerned about those who are most vulnerable among us being protected.

We encourage you

• to trust in the Lord
• to lift up our world in prayer
• and to consider how the Lord wants you to best use the time that has been given to you for his purposes and for his glory.

We know that he causes all things to work together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. Let us be focused on the good that the Lord will bring out of this crisis even as we trust in Him to bring us through.

#canceleverything #socialdistancingworks #Jesusisincontrol

Original post – March 13, 2020

With all of the recent developments concerning COVID-19, we at Milton SDB want to reassure you that we are carefully and prayerfully monitoring this situation. The safety and well-being of everyone who comes to our church is our top priority. We are paying close attention to the information from the CDC, the Wisconsin Health Department and local health officials.

As of now, our worship services for this Sabbath will continue as planned. We will use social media and our email network to keep our church family updated with any new developments.

Above all, we are responding with faith NOT fear. We know that God is in control, and He will bring us through this time of uncertainty! We encourage you to hold tightly to this truth from God’s Word, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

We want you to know that we already have practices and procedures in place to keep our facilities and equipment safe and clean every week. In light of the current situation, we are taking precautions to make sure everyone who comes to worship or participates in any activity here is safe.

Here are some of the measures we’ve taken for our worship services this Sabbath to ensure your safety and the safety of the most vulnerable among us:

• We recommend fist bumps, elbow bumps, or just a gracious smile instead of handshakes or hugs for the time being.
• We won’t have any time of meet-and-greet during our service, so all introverts can rejoice!
• All toys in our nursery and children’s areas have been sanitized as we do every week.
• All staff and volunteers will wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitizer while serving. Any staff or volunteers who feel sick will not be allowed to serve in any capacity and will be encouraged to stay home.
• Plenty of soap is available in the restrooms for hand washing, as well as sanitizer around the building.

Here’s what you can do to help protect yourself and others

• Stay home if you are not feeling well. Do not go out until you have been symptom free without medication for at least 24 hours.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being out in public, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing..
• If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• Avoid touching your face, nose or eyes. Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Avoid handshaking/ hugging when greeting people.  If you must touch use an elbow bump.
• Avoid crowds especially if you have a chronic illness or your immune system is compromised.
• If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should isolate and not attend any public events. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

As you consider the impact of this health crisis in our world, pray for the health of our church, community, country, and our world. Encourage your unchurched friends and family with the saving hope you have in Jesus. Invite them to join you this Sabbath. We hope to see you soon!