Dear Little Church Family and Friends:

Friends, the world may seem like a scary place right now. The question facing us is how can the church still be the church in such a time as this?

As many of you have heard, in an effort to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus, all gatherings of 250 or more are prohibited. While our Little Church worship service does not meet that threshold, given our demographic here and how Covid-19 seems to impact our demographic, we are canceling worship service at the Little Church until further notice. 

Our Lakewoodgrace service, which is held at Harrison Prep, is still scheduled to meet. There is more room to spread out and still worship. You are welcome to worship at Lakewoodgrace. For those who are not able to attend worship with us in person we are making the following arrangements for you to worship with us:

• Facebook Live. You can join us in worship at 11am from your homes at the Little Church on the Prairie’s Facebook page
• We will continue to upload the sermons on both www.lakewoodlittlechurch.com and www.lakewoodgrace.com
• We will have cd’s of the sermon available. If you would like a cd mailed to you, please contact the office 253-588-6631 or office email to lakewoodlittlechurch@gmail.com

It was reported to us this week that on Feb 29th, a preschool parent who works at a hospital was potentially exposed to Covid-19. The child involved will not return to class until next week. In the meantime, the Preschool staff and our custodian are doing their best to make sure the campus is disinfected and safe.

We have a fantastic opportunity to show our world the difference the love and the sovereignty of God can make in turbulent times. Our staff and session will continue to lead our church to keep our people and campus safe, and at the same time looking at making the greatest kingdom impact possible. 

Even though we may not be meeting in person, the ministry and mission of the church continues as usual. The office remains open, lights are on and the church business continues as usual to serve and minister to our church family and our community. Your tithes and offerings is what makes ministry possible. 

Thank you for being such an amazing, loving, trusting, and faithful congregation. Let us move boldly into God’s future for the Little Church and Lakewoodgrace as we show the world what a church looks like especially in turbulent times like these.

Pastor James      Pastor Brad      Clerk of Session Alan Macpherson

Friends, the world may seem like a scary place right now.

It seems as though every hour our reality changes for the worse as even more people dying and testing positive for the Covid-19 virus.

The news will only get worse for the immediate future before things get better.

But things aren’t all bad. There is good news!

• Nothing – NOT ONE THING – of what is happening now is taking God by surprise
• The God who was sovereign, good, kind, and loving before the Covid-19 virus pandemic is the same God who is sovereign, good, kind, and loving now. Nothing has changed about God – NOT ONE THING
• The God who had a plan for salvation for the world before the Covid-19 virus pandemic is the same God now. Nothing has changed about God – NOT ONE THING

What has changed is our circumstances.

• A week ago, it was perfectly fine to gather in public places with many people. Today, public gatherings are not only unwise, but in some places like our’s, it is forbidden
• NBA has suspended its season
• NHL, NCAA, MLS will be playing in empty stadiums
• Covid-19 has reached pandemic proportions

Our world has changed.

The question facing us is “How can the church be the church in such a time as this?” In order to answer that question, you have to ask, “What is the church called to do? ”

And the good news is that the answer is still the same:

• Make disciples
• Grow disciples
• Share the love of Jesus with all people

I have been reading some posts from well meaning pastors who are saying things like, “We are not going to succumb to the rulings of the world and stop worshiping. We will continue to operate as normal.”

The only problem with this statement is that normal has changed. You see, for many young people under 60 the Covid-19 virus is not a death sentence. The mortality rate for young people is quite low. Most will experience the Coronavirus as a flu. But to the aging population in the United States and in our congregations, and those with pre-existing health conditions, Covid-19 is very lethal. And it would be absolutely irresponsible for the church to guilt people into attendance. That is a death sentence.

Instead, what if God is inviting the church to get creative on how she can worship and make disciples, grow disciples, and share the love of Christ with all people in a way that looks differently than how we have been gathering up to now?

• What if, this is an opportunity for the church to find new and different ways to connect people to one another?
• What if God is giving us an opportunity to consider new ways of worshiping the living God?
• What if this is an opportunity for us to discern a church that is centered less on gathering, but more on being the church 24/7?

As I was journaling today I was so thankful. I was thankful that God is allowing us to lead at such a time as this. God actually believes that you and I can lead in this context. God actually entrusts us to lead in such a way that the kingdom is thriving in these new contexts. God actually thinks that you and I can discover and discern ways new and better ways to be a connectional church!

How about that! What an exciting time to be the church! Thank you, Lord.

For such a time as this…

Prosperity gospel.

I like it! I really do!

Riches, health, disease free living? Yes, yes, yes.

A world where God takes care of you and gives you your heart’s desire?

Yes! I like it! I really do!