March 2020 - hopefreelutheran.org

Services Online Sunday

March 20, 2020/in Notes From the Pastor /by admin

Greetings friends,

Well, it’s been an interesting week, learning how to change our church to a digital church, until life returns back to normal. As with all things in life, I try and ask “what did I learn from this” and if anything we’ll certainly know how to conduct church services in the future, regardless of the circumstances. This should even be helpful for those Sundays where we have to call off church due to the weather.

So, barring any unforeseen issues with uploading the video, there will be two different ways you can watch the “church service” on Sunday. We attempted to do a type of mini-service, so Jordan sings a song to start off, we’ll follow that with the Apostle’s creed, the sermon, the Lord’s prayer and then Jordan will close with a song.

Here are the two ways you can watch. The first way will be logging onto the Hope Facebook page a few minutes before 9:30. We’re going to post it as “live” so that it will debut at that time, and will allow any type of immediate comments, as well as give us the feeling that our brothers and sisters are watching with us as well. Also, Jordan will be posting on a separate post, a short video sermon for the kids.

If you don’t have Facebook, or are unable to watch at that time, I’ll be posting the video to our website as well…www.hopefreelutheran.org

Please let me know your thoughts on the video as to what can be improved, so that I can make proper adjustments the following week.

Finally, I’ve had a few people ask about their offerings during this time. You can either drop your envelopes off at church, of if you’re social distancing, then you can mail them to the church, which is:

Hope Free Lutheran Church
P.O.Box 83
Ishpeming, MI, 49849

One final note, I’ve been struggling with this and if we’re doing the right thing about suspending our services. While we feel it proper to honor those in authority, it is difficult not getting together to worship. God then brought this verse to me from Proverbs 27:12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

We are being prudent, even though it leaves us with the longing for community.

God’s blessings,

Pastor Dave

Church Update In Response to the Coronavirus

March 17, 2020/in Notes From the Pastor /by admin

Yesterday was a very difficult day, as the decision was made to suspend services until at least the first week of April. As it stands right now, it sounds as if we’d be able to hold services during Holy Week, so I’m certainly optimistic for that.

In the meantime the plan is have a video service posted Sunday…Whether the service is done via livestreaming on Facebook, or we post a recorded service, I’m still looking into the best way to produce the best quality type of video service experience. My hopeful goal would be to start and end the message with a song, having the confessions in there, along with a message. I’m sorry this is not more informative regarding that, but as I said, I’m still trying to figure out the best way to do this, in a way that can give you that full worship experience. I will make sure to send out an email later this week with links, through Facebook and to our church website where you can see the videos once they are posted.

I think the greatest struggle I’m having with all of this is that fellowship, community, gathering are all such essential aspects of our faith. It is in times of uncertainty that we draw strength together going to our God in prayer, as one. But even though gatherings are being limited, the church will still be open during this time, and you are welcome to come by anytime for prayer, personal Bible study, or just to socialize.

On top of that, our food pantry will be open twice a week to fill any needs, and we have people more than willing to do any type of shopping you may need if you can’t go out. This is one way the body of Christ can continue to function, by serving each other, so please do not hesitate to ask for any type of assistance. As stated above, please feel free to email me with any requests you may have! I think this description Paul wrote of his dear friend Timothy is the example of why we should never hesitate to ask for help, because it’s our joy to be able to serve one another:

Philippians 2:19-22 – I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

Let us continue to serve one another in love, glorifying our Savior,

Pastor Dave