Dear Church Family,
I understand that we live in an age of sensationalism. And still, what we are going through is unprecedented for all of us. It’s not that we haven’t lived through other crises and major cultural shifts. But this is certainly a new one. I’m tempted to preach here, but I won’t. I will simply say: WE ARE STILL THE CHURCH, not in spite of this moment, but ESPECIALLY IN THIS MOMENT. And I will say this as well: Thank God for technology. As I ran today, I realized that our ability to connect across space is a kind of “embodiment” of the Holy Spirit’s mysterious ability to bind us together.
This letter, however, is more about the “how” of being the Church, so let’s get to it:
And for those of you out-of-towners, this is a great chance to re-connect as we are making ourselves more available virtually. Check in with us and say “Hello!”
Sisters and Brothers, it is a gift to be your pastor as we walk through this valley. Please be wise as we listen to the best information and instruction from Gov. DeWine and his team, or whoever your local leaders are. We are all in uncharted territory…on one hand. On the other, we are those who carry the cross, who acknowledge the shadowy valleys, and who cry out in prayer, always in the presence of our Shepherd, our Savior, and Friend. We do not know where this trial will take us, but we know who leads us there.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jon Komperda
I understand that we live in an age of sensationalism. And still, what we are going through is unprecedented for all of us. It’s not that we haven’t lived through other crises and major cultural shifts. But this is certainly a new one. I’m tempted to preach here, but I won’t. I will simply say: WE ARE STILL THE CHURCH, not in spite of this moment, but ESPECIALLY IN THIS MOMENT. And I will say this as well: Thank God for technology. As I ran today, I realized that our ability to connect across space is a kind of “embodiment” of the Holy Spirit’s mysterious ability to bind us together.
This letter, however, is more about the “how” of being the Church, so let’s get to it:
- Sunday Worship will be streamed on Sunday mornings at 10:30am, though it will be available afterwards. It will stream on our new YouTube channel (Point Place UCC), as well as our Facebook Page, and most conveniently, on the front page of our website: www.pointplaceucc.com. Please take a moment and subscribe to our YouTube channel. If we get 100 followers, it makes this platform way more convenient, trust me.
- We will have a handful of weekly “Check-In & Pray” sessions. This will be done via the Zoom platform. Links to follow from your computers and smartphones will be sent each week, but our meeting ID will always be 4197267390 (the church’s phone number). Even if you don’t have or use the internet, at the time of the meeting, you can simply call 312-626-6799. It will ask for the Meeting ID (4197267390#) and if it asks anything else, just hit the # key again. Times may vary each week.
- We will be instituting a good ol’ fashioned phone tree for those who don’t use email or facebook. If you want to get phone calls with Check-In & Pray times, as well as other important weekly news, please call the church (419-726-7390) and leave a message and we will put you on the tree.
- I, Pastor Jon, will also make an effort to check in regularly via phone. If I’m not quick enough for your liking or you have a specific need or question, please don’t hesitate to call me on my cell (440-668-6083)
- GIVING. As one colleague has recently said, “The bills don’t stop, and we trust that neither will your generosity.” This is an important time to continue (or start) giving as you are able. We will, of course, take offerings that you mail in. But now may also be a good time to sign up for Tithe.ly, our electronic giving platform. It is extremely simple. Just go to our website and click the green “GIVE” button. That will get you going.
- That said, we know this is a difficult time for some of you financially. We are still here to support you through the Ivy Allen Fund. Please also let us know if you need help getting groceries, medication, etc. Please please do not hesitate to call the church, and we will make every effort to make sure you are cared for.
- Feed My Sheep will not be serving meals except to those we normally deliver. If you need to be added to our delivery list, please call the church and let us know.
- We continue to talk to other Point Place and UCC churches to discern how we can observe the coming holiest days of the Church. Please stay tuned as we adapt.
And for those of you out-of-towners, this is a great chance to re-connect as we are making ourselves more available virtually. Check in with us and say “Hello!”
Sisters and Brothers, it is a gift to be your pastor as we walk through this valley. Please be wise as we listen to the best information and instruction from Gov. DeWine and his team, or whoever your local leaders are. We are all in uncharted territory…on one hand. On the other, we are those who carry the cross, who acknowledge the shadowy valleys, and who cry out in prayer, always in the presence of our Shepherd, our Savior, and Friend. We do not know where this trial will take us, but we know who leads us there.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jon Komperda
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