May 4, 2024 - Update on this morning's fire and gathering in the Parking Lot at 10:30am Sunday, May 5.
Greetings New Cov Family -
This morning at approximately 3am, Lincoln Fire & Rescue was dispatched to our church building due to an alarm and found an active fire burning within the roof of the main auditorium. Fire crews have worked diligently throughout the morning and were able to bring the fire under control. Currently, Lincoln Fire remains on-site to monitor the building to ensure the fire has been properly and fully extinguished.
While the building was not consumed by fire, there is significant water damage to the main auditorium and the first floor south wing, which includes most of our New Cov Kids space. Additionally, smoke filled the entire building, which makes all remaining space not damaged directly by fire unusable for at least the next week.
(More details on Sunday plans below)
Following a brief investigation, it was determined the cause of fire was likely from a lighting strike.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
So, what's next and where do we go from here?
Our building is a valuable resource to who we are as New Cov, but it is not the church. The church is the people of God gathered together under unity in Christ, His Gospel, and our mission as a sent people who are called to go and make make disciples.
Gathering in the Parking Lot @ 10:30am Sunday.
Therefore, while there will be no service or programming in the building tomorrow, the church will be gathering in the front parking lot at 10:30am for worship and prayer. We anticipate this being an especially beautiful time as we worship the God who moves mountains and brings beauty from ashes.
A few additional details to pass along: We have already met with insurance and a crew is on site to begin clean-up and restoration. Although there is no timetable concerning repairs and renovations, there will be more information in the coming days.
Also PLEASE refrain from entering the building as there are multiple hazards.
So many of you have reached out to help, and there are currently no immediate needs, there will be plenty of opportunities to rally together in the coming days.
And just in case this is important for some of you to hear...while there is degree of uncertainly with the timeline and extent of the work, please be assured your Lead Pastor is going nowhere. God has called us all together for such a time as this. And our God remains good and faithful. Let's continue to declare that truth to one another and the community and world to which we've been called.
