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Posted: March 26, 2020

Grace and Peace Echo Hills!
 
With the most recent Stay-Home order from the Governor of Idaho, we wanted to keep you posted on how we are responding to this update as a local church.
 
Current Update:
 
As of today, Echo Hills Church will be honoring the Stay-Home order issued by the Governor Little on March 25, 2020.  We will keep our food pantry open as it is an “essential business” under the current order.  Download the Stay-Home Order for details.
 
 We’ve said this before and want to say it again:
“It's important to understand that this pandemic HAS A LIFESPAN MEASURED IN MONTHS and not "forever" as some have proposed.  Our “forever” is in Christ and looks like “faith, hope, and love”. We want to encourage you to follow the current guidelines that both the state and federal agencies are posting.  Let’s do our best to encourage one another with love and grace while keeping a sound mind and kingdom perspective on this temporary reality.”

A few updates:

  1. Sunday’s Message:  10AM online at echohillschurch.com and on Facebook/echohillschurch

  2. Office hours:  Office will be closed until further notice (still answering phones and emails)

  3. Food Pantry:  Open Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10AM-2PM (we have food baskets, but no monetary offerings)

  4. Healing Rooms, Shiloh, Bible Studies: All campus gatherings have been postponed for 21 days according to the guidelines of the Stay-Home order (see link above for details)

  5. Stay Connected:  You can reach us via –

  6. Volunteers Available:  We have individuals who are willing to help pick up groceries, Rx and other items for those of you who aren’t able to make it out.  Contact us for names and numbers.

  7. Giving:  Give online at echohillschurch.com or mail it to 3215 Echo Hills Dr., Lewiston, ID  83501.  We are still taking care of the facility, payroll and the food pantry  Your tithe and offering is a great support to our local church and the ministries we support. 


Stay in faith!  The best way to do this is to keep an attitude of thanksgiving!  What do we have to be thankful for? 

Here are a few truths: God is Good; Holy Spirit dwells in you, with you and on you; you are never alone;  Jesus has conquered all sin and death (this includes all diseases, viruses, and illnesses); you are loved; you can take communion at home; calling someone is both a blessing for the recipient and the caller; there is nothing impossible with God – so take Him up on His desire to show you His glory!  Just to name a few!
 
You are in our prayers!
 
Pastor Mike and Jeph

Posted: March 18, 2020

Greetings Beloved!

We pray you are all doing well and keeping in step with the Spirit of God!  The Apostle Paul identifies this walk by the fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23 NASB)  These are the attributes of God that He has called us to share with those that are struggling with fear, control and confusion.  Continue to shine and show others there is a better way! 

Current Update:

As of today, we are going to postpone all Sunday and midweek gatherings at Echo Hills Church until Monday, April 6th!  We will then post our next decision.

It’s really important to us that you keep us updated on how you are doing and what we can do to help.  Our pastors, staff and volunteers are willing to help pastor you through this time.  Our doors are still open and the best way to reach us is to call the office at 208-746-0401 or email us at office@echohillschurch.com.

We want to encourage you to follow the current guidelines that both the state and federal agencies are posting.  Let’s do our best to encourage one another with love and grace while keeping a sound mind and kingdom perspective on this temporary reality.

 ·      Our office hours will remain the same:  Mon. - Thur. 9-4PM

 ·      Food Pantry and Clothes Closet will remain open:  Tues. - Wed. 9:30-3:00PM

 ·      Join us on Facebook for our Prayer updates and Sunday 10AM Message

 ·      Check out our website for latest updates and information

·      We love you and we are here for you!

 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  (Romans 8:28 NASB)

 

In His Grip

Pastor Jeph and Pastor Mike

Posted:  March 13, 2020

 

Dear Family and Friends of Echo Hills Church!

In an effort to pastor you through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we wanted to give you an update on our current position as a church and the efforts we are making as a result of this rapidly evolving situation.

As of right now we will continue to host all of our regularly scheduled gatherings. 

However, we fully recognize the need for wisdom and caution and want to encourage you that we are continuing to take the necessary steps to ensure that your health, safety and care are at the forefront of our decisions.  So, what do we do now?

1.  Pray!  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  Philippians 4:6  "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." John 14:14

2.  Stay home if you are sick. We have no reported cases of COVID-19 in our immediate area as of today, but we want you to take the necessary steps in overcoming any illness you may be experiencing.  If you are sick, let us know so we can add you to our prayer list (office@echohillschurch.com or 208-746-0401).

3.  Be wise and respectful of others. Fear is a real issue and can be an area of potential hurt and offense if not handled correctly.  We are commanded not to fear, but we are also susceptible to the nature of fear.  The best way to overcome fear is to surrender to love and its ever increasing power.  Be a source of love and hope as you interact with others.  If you are struggling with fear, seek a loving friend who will pray and guide you into truth.
 
4.  Honor the space.  Not everyone has the love language of physical touch – especially when we are using the word “pandemic”!  Hugs, handshakes and other close proximity interactions can spread germs, but they can also spread faith, hope and love. So, honor the space that some require (even when there is no pandemic) and consider another form of greeting and connecting.  Consider asking for permission before leaping in with arms spread wide; while at the same time be honest about how you feel with hugging, handshaking or physical interaction: “Hey, let’s put that hug on hold till I get to feeling better” or “I appreciate how you love to give hugs, but let’s just share a fist bump, air bump, toe tap, etc”.  If you’re both healthy, then let’s make sure we don’t let fear rob us of the connection we were made for.
 
5.  Know the facts.  In our current day of instant knowledge through the countless media channels, make sure you are only sharing truth!  Fear and panic have a way of bypassing sound judgment and the truth.  So, before you forward, repeat or even respond to an update make sure you know the source and that you’re not spreading gossip – the fuel of fear. 
 
In the face of this current outbreak, it is our prayer that you would have the faith to “breakout” in the wisdom and power of Jesus Christ to your friends and neighbors.  We pray for the peace and comfort that comes in knowing that God is not overwhelmed or unaware of our circumstances.  The Kingdom of God will prevail, and we get to be a part of seeing heaven invade earth! 
 
As more information becomes available and may require changes, we will keep you posted through emails like this one, on our Echo Hills Church Facebook page and our Instragram account.  We will share more on Sunday at our 10AM gathering but call us if you have questions or concerns.
 
Peace and Blessings,
 
Pastor Jeph & Pastor Mike