COVID-19 Planning and Response

A quick update on our plans for the next several weeks in response to the COVID-19 virus threat and the need for caution and social distancing.

We will meet this Sunday morning for Sunday School and Morning Worship. However, we would encourage you, if you are at a higher risk to this virus or live with someone who is at higher risk, to stay home and join us via Facebook as we live stream (for the first time – on our public page https://facebook.com/hilltopshawnee) or to watch/listen to the recorded service (will be posted here – our private FB group) or read my sermon text on our web site (https://hilltopshawnee.com). While we are not subject to “a spirit of fear” we must be wise and discerning and, most of all, conscious of protecting others in our congregation from unnecessary risk or harm.

As a part of these precautions, we ask that you wash your hands (at least 20 seconds, as prescribed) and use the hand sanitizer available in each bathroom as you arrive at church. This will help minimize everyone’s exposure, as well as your own. In addition, I know many of you are already dealing with upper respiratory issues with the spring allergy season, so we also ask that you keep tissues nearby and use them when you feel the need to sneeze or cough and then dispose of them properly. Please, please do not leave them lying on one of the pews or tables. Use the waste receptacles at each of the doors for this purpose.

For the time being, our Sunday night and Wednesday night services will be discontinued. We are working on a way to have those via social media, phone or some electronic format. I will post more information here, once I have it. I would like those times of Bible Study and Prayer to be more interactive than what a live stream can readily offer, though we may end up using that format.

Also, I want to encourage all Sunday School teachers to be proactive in communicating with your group. Use whatever means you feel comfortable (phone, text, email, social media, etc.) and ask if you need help with ideas on ways to better facilitate interactive communications. While this is a challenging time, it is not anything that surprises our Lord nor is it beyond His grace and power. As Esther was told, “…who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

One last thing, this is not a time for us to fear but for us to flourish. The church MUST always be “salt and light,” but we are able to shine especially bright during times when our culture is languishing in fear and uncertainty. If you become aware of a need that we can meet, please contact one of our church leaders. If you have a need that we can help meet, please let us know. If you can serve someone in need, please reach out to them in the love of Christ and if they need more help, let us know.

If you have questions, concerns or just need someone to talk to then reply here, message us on Facebook, call or text me.