Dear Hillside Family,
James, the brother of Jesus, encourages us by saying:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)
As a church family, we have experienced countless trials of many kinds over the past six months. These trials have tested our faith, both individually and corporately. I have been encouraged to see your joy and perseverance on display through this challenging time.
We now must continue persevering through yet another trial. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing the world to rethink how it currently operates. Businesses are temporarily shutting down, public schools have cancelled classes for the foreseeable future, universities are finishing the semester completely online, and grocery stores are changing their hours to allow the elderly and people at high risk to have their own separate shopping times. We are heading full steam ahead into unprecedented territory.
Naturally, as a church, we must also rethink how we currently operate. I must admit, with how rapidly the landscape is changing, it is challenging to nail down appropriate actions to take. Thankfully we have a God who gives us wisdom when we need it most. A few verses after the ones I quoted above, James said:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)
The Hillside Elder Board has been asking God for wisdom concerning the decisions we must make surrounding COVID-19. In addition, we have established a Health Team that will be responsible for continually updating our plan, heading up communication, monitoring and following the current guidance from the leading government and health authorities, and working on overall preparedness. The following is a list of the temporary changes we are making effective immediately:
1. Sunday morning services will be online only. You will be able to live stream those services on our Facebook page. If you do not currently have a
Facebook account, we encourage you to start one solely for this temporary time so that you can continue to participate in our Sunday services. The
video recordings of the services will also be uploaded to our website every Monday or Tuesday.
2. We will temporarily move to a summer-type schedule with a few added restrictions. This means:
3. Community groups are asked to suspend meeting in person, and to find new ways to meet and pray together that work best for your group (Zoom,
Google hangouts, Skype, Google Duo, conference calls, Facebook group chats, etc.)
Please know that none of these decisions are ideal and they may even seem extreme. Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, said, “Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist. Everything we do after will seem inadequate.” It is with this understanding that we desire to be ahead of the spreading virus when it comes to these decisions. We are praying that we can all come back together for a wonderful celebration on Easter Sunday! Please join us in that prayer.
Because these changes force us out of our normal routine, it is easy to overlook a few things. Please allow me to give you a few reminders:
Finally, let me leave you with these words from the Apostle Paul:
“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Do not respond to this outbreak in fear, for if you do, you have given the devil a foothold in your life. Please respond in the power, love and self-control that the Holy Spirit readily gives you. May you find joy and perseverance through this trial as you draw near to God and find new ways to lean into the church.
Joyfully,
Pastor Nate Hercula
James, the brother of Jesus, encourages us by saying:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)
As a church family, we have experienced countless trials of many kinds over the past six months. These trials have tested our faith, both individually and corporately. I have been encouraged to see your joy and perseverance on display through this challenging time.
We now must continue persevering through yet another trial. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing the world to rethink how it currently operates. Businesses are temporarily shutting down, public schools have cancelled classes for the foreseeable future, universities are finishing the semester completely online, and grocery stores are changing their hours to allow the elderly and people at high risk to have their own separate shopping times. We are heading full steam ahead into unprecedented territory.
Naturally, as a church, we must also rethink how we currently operate. I must admit, with how rapidly the landscape is changing, it is challenging to nail down appropriate actions to take. Thankfully we have a God who gives us wisdom when we need it most. A few verses after the ones I quoted above, James said:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)
The Hillside Elder Board has been asking God for wisdom concerning the decisions we must make surrounding COVID-19. In addition, we have established a Health Team that will be responsible for continually updating our plan, heading up communication, monitoring and following the current guidance from the leading government and health authorities, and working on overall preparedness. The following is a list of the temporary changes we are making effective immediately:
1. Sunday morning services will be online only. You will be able to live stream those services on our Facebook page. If you do not currently have a
Facebook account, we encourage you to start one solely for this temporary time so that you can continue to participate in our Sunday services. The
video recordings of the services will also be uploaded to our website every Monday or Tuesday.
2. We will temporarily move to a summer-type schedule with a few added restrictions. This means:
- The only Sunday morning service will be at 10:45 am online
- All ministries that normally meet at Hillside are cancelled (nursery, Sunday school, Kids Message, Kids Community, adult classes, community groups, Vespers, etc.)
- Any additional gatherings that are planned to be held at Hillside soon are either cancelled or postponed
3. Community groups are asked to suspend meeting in person, and to find new ways to meet and pray together that work best for your group (Zoom,
Google hangouts, Skype, Google Duo, conference calls, Facebook group chats, etc.)
Please know that none of these decisions are ideal and they may even seem extreme. Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, said, “Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist. Everything we do after will seem inadequate.” It is with this understanding that we desire to be ahead of the spreading virus when it comes to these decisions. We are praying that we can all come back together for a wonderful celebration on Easter Sunday! Please join us in that prayer.
Because these changes force us out of our normal routine, it is easy to overlook a few things. Please allow me to give you a few reminders:
- Practice recommended health measures to keep yourself and others healthy (wash your hands, avoid touching your face, stay home as much as possible, etc.)
- Continue your regular tithes and offerings to Hillside. You can do this online at www.hccvermillion.com/giving, or by mail [1800 Constance Drive Vermillion, SD 57069].
- We are still committed to be a lighthouse in our community; therefore, make an effort to notice how COVID-19 may be burdening others and commit to be a loving help to them as you are able.
- Pray for God’s grace and mercy to be seen in the midst of this global concern.
Finally, let me leave you with these words from the Apostle Paul:
“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Do not respond to this outbreak in fear, for if you do, you have given the devil a foothold in your life. Please respond in the power, love and self-control that the Holy Spirit readily gives you. May you find joy and perseverance through this trial as you draw near to God and find new ways to lean into the church.
Joyfully,
Pastor Nate Hercula
