Greetings Lakeview Family!
I pray that you are physically healthy and spiritually strong this week!

I know that with all the disruptions in our lives caused by the COVID-19 virus that it’s easy to become discouraged but I want to encourage you not to lose sight of the purpose each of us has as Jesus-followers.  He was very clear about the mission for every believer in Matthew 28 to make disciples.  Instead of seeing these challenges as things that block us from doing what God wants us to do, be intentional about seeking the opportunities He is giving you now.  Sure, they may be different from the things we did when we were free to gather together and move about freely, but God is still placing ministry opportunities before you each day.  Look for them by beginning each day with a prayer that God will reveal them to you.  Then expect an answer!  You do believe that God answers prayer, right?  So look at each thing you are STILL doing with a focus of how could God use this to serve someone else?

If you’re not immuno-compromised in some way, you could still walk across the yard to say hi to a neighbor.  Look at the things you are still ABLE to do, but in different ways, and ask God to show you who He wants you to serve.  Think creatively, because God is creative. Do you know how to use a phone? a computer? smoke signals if God directs you that way, use what you have.

You are the Church whether we’re gathered together in a building or scattered through our communities.

OK, that wasn’t supposed to become a sermon!  Thanks for hearing my heart for you to not be discouraged and defeated.  Still take precautions but don’t be bound by fear.

With that said, part of our precautions to help slow the spread of the virus is that we will not be meeting together in our building this Sunday. Our government has recommended that no groups larger than 50 should meet so we will submit to their authority and out of respect for our community to work together to protect one another.  So, OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEETINGS ARE CANCELLED FOR THIS WEEK, MARCH 22-28.

That does NOT mean we won’t still be worshipping together in separate locations! We will have a recording on a YouTube channel (thank you Steve!) that will include this week’s sermon, worship song suggestions, greetings from church family members, and prayer.  You’ll find all that at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBx7gIef8DVDcOZuG0zRpcQ.

The video will be posted by Saturday evening (hopefully, this is new for us, too!) and I encourage you to watch it Sunday morning when you would normally be in our building.  Here’s a suggestion of what you still might be able to do, one person told me that she didn’t have a computer available, but was invited to another church families home to watch together. Perhaps you could do something like that as well if you are physically and technologically able!

I would like to ask you to help us get this service ready by doing a few things.  Email or call with prayer requests and praises so we can pray for one another and rejoice together.  If you are able, send us short selfie video greetings for other church members – greet one another like you would if you were here.

I know this is long, I just miss being able to talk with you all and we’re trying new things. This is uncharted waters for all of us, if you have any suggestions or are able to help in any way, please let me know.  If you know of anyone who doesn’t get email, please call them with this information. We are better together.

God bless you with His presence and power each day!

Pastor Dave