Sent March 17, 2020.
Friend, I pray you are well. I want to make sure we remain connected as much as possible during this unique and stressful season. Please, read on…
RECORD SUNDAY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE?
Last Sunday we could not gather in-person, yet more than 6600 devices connected with us through TryChurchOnline.com. For a non-holiday Sunday, that’s a record number of worshippers for us. The huge participation level was a result of Westsiders sharing our social media posts and inviting online guests via message, text and email. What a great response to an unfortunate limitation – let’s do the same every week that we can’t meet in-person!
For obvious reasons, we will worship together online-only until further notice. We will broadcast on TryChurchOnline.com during three of our familiar worship times: 8:45, 10:10 and 11:30am each Sunday. Is this the way we prefer it? No. But we trust God to use these circumstances as we pray and remain faithful.
CHURCH CAMPUS & BUILDING CLOSED
It’s a bit strange to type these words, but until further notice, the church campus and office is closed and all on-campus ministry meetings and events are cancelled. While there will be staff in the building much of the day and night, the doors will normally be locked.
MINISTRY CONTINUES, SO DETERMINE YOUR GENEROSIITY WILL TOO
If anything, the level of activity among our staff has picked up this week. Many innovations and adjustments are underway. I’m proud of our team. Look for email communication from staff leaders of ministries to which you are connected.
E-GIVING IS CRUCIAL
If you are already signed-up for E-GIVING, thank you for leading the way and for remaining faithful while we cannot meet on-campus.
However, if you normally contribute by check or cash while on-campus, it’s crucial that you now switch to e-giving. If you discontinue e-giving once the virus concerns pass, that’s fine. But for now, e-giving is essential to ensure West Side remains strong. Thank you!
USE THIS LINK for a secure page where you can opt for either 1) a scheduled withdrawal from your bank account, or 2) set up text-to-give (which allows you to fund your gift with either a bank account or credit card).
If you aren’t comfortable using these methods, mail your check (no cash) to WSCC, 2850 Cider Mill Lane, Springfield IL 62702.
TUESDAY & THURSDAY ONLINE DEVOTIONS @ 9:30am
During the time we can’t meet together, I want to meet with you twice a week for a 15-minute devotion – online. The current plan is to use the Facebook Live feature on West Side’s Facebook page/account. Meet me there at 9:30am starting next Tuesday, March 24. If we determine that we can add Instagram and use both formats, we’ll let you know. Look for social media posts to remind you of this opportunity.
RESOURCES
If you need some type of prayer or care from our team during this season, reach us through this email address: care@wschurch.org.
If you want to use your increased time at home to grow spiritually, check out RIGHT NOW MEDIA or West Side’s LET IT GO resource page. Watch our Facebook page for additional spiritual growth tools. Our small groups are not meeting in person at this time, so if you’d like help meeting virtually with your group, contact MichaelS@wschurch.org.
Some folks are already being impacted financially by the disruption of so many parts of our economy. So let’s be on the lookout for folks to help – and let’s pray God will bless everyone with what they need. And, of course, let’s pray for anyone who has contracted coronavirus – and for everyone involved in caring for these folks.
See you soon (I hope and pray),
Eddie Lowen
Lead guy