Message from the Elders
Dear Southwest Christian Church,
On March 16, 2020, the Riverside County Office of Public Health ordered that all gatherings of ten or more people be cancelled until April 30, 2020 in an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus. This declaration affects all public gatherings, including churches. This declaration is not an act of persecution, but one of a government protecting the population that the Lord has appointed it over. Therefore, in accordance with Romans 13, we will submit to those that God has placed over us.
This is certainly going to change how we function as a church. My prayer is that we can continue to worship together, have fellowship together, encourage one another, and service one another. This will mean that we will have to do things differently. Please be patient as we try and figure out the best way to do this. It’s going to require flexibility and love. It’s been said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Some of you are going to have to learn some new tricks.
Please pay attention to the instructions below to make sure that you are cared for.
Technology
You are going to need an active email address. Please make sure that the church has whatever email address you check. Then check that email frequently. We will be sending out lots of emails. It will be the primary way of communicating with you.
Sunday Worship Services
We will not be able to gather together physically until the end of April. In the meantime, we will live stream our services on Facebook at 9am, at www.facebook.com/southwestchristianchurch. You do not need a facebook account to view the sermon on a computer. You can view last Sundays service now if you’d like to give it a try.
Watching a church on a computer screen is much different from being there in person. Here are some tips to make sure you aren’t just watching the service, but that you are participating in the service.
If we are not able to be around each other physically, we must be very intentional in having relationships with each other. Here are some ways to continue having fellowship with your local body.
Communication
We may be limited in our ability to gather, but we still have a responsibility to teach the word, read the word and equip the church. We will accommodate this by using software to have group meetings together. We will be using a program called zoom.us to host meetings.
Though we are not meeting together on Sundays, it is still very important to give. Your kind ministry of giving is still needed. There will be 3 ways for you to continue to regularly give.
We want to help you as you shepherd your children. Donna will send out weekly Sunday School lessons to parents in the church that include games, activities and stories to aid you in your effort to teach your children and train them up to know the Lord. Your time teaching your children is going to be one of the most valuable things you can do during these next 6 weeks.
Church Joes
Each Sunday, Lori Veith and friends bring food that she has gathered from Trader Joes. At this time she is still planning on gathering food, but this may change at a moment’s notice. We will be working with her to have food available. We are expecting times to be difficult and want to help provide you with resources. Please contact Randy Taylor to arrange a time to visit the Veith’s and make arrangements for assistance.
Conclusion
I’m not sure how the church would have responded to this problem 10 years ago. We didn’t have the resources that we have today. In God’s providence, we face this time together with new technology to help us. Please visit the church website, southwestchristianchurch.org often. You will find changes and resources there to help you. If you have any questions don’t be silent. Feel free to send me an email (lukek@southwestchristianchurch.org).
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Luke
On March 16, 2020, the Riverside County Office of Public Health ordered that all gatherings of ten or more people be cancelled until April 30, 2020 in an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus. This declaration affects all public gatherings, including churches. This declaration is not an act of persecution, but one of a government protecting the population that the Lord has appointed it over. Therefore, in accordance with Romans 13, we will submit to those that God has placed over us.
This is certainly going to change how we function as a church. My prayer is that we can continue to worship together, have fellowship together, encourage one another, and service one another. This will mean that we will have to do things differently. Please be patient as we try and figure out the best way to do this. It’s going to require flexibility and love. It’s been said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Some of you are going to have to learn some new tricks.
Please pay attention to the instructions below to make sure that you are cared for.
Technology
You are going to need an active email address. Please make sure that the church has whatever email address you check. Then check that email frequently. We will be sending out lots of emails. It will be the primary way of communicating with you.
Sunday Worship Services
We will not be able to gather together physically until the end of April. In the meantime, we will live stream our services on Facebook at 9am, at www.facebook.com/southwestchristianchurch. You do not need a facebook account to view the sermon on a computer. You can view last Sundays service now if you’d like to give it a try.
Watching a church on a computer screen is much different from being there in person. Here are some tips to make sure you aren’t just watching the service, but that you are participating in the service.
- Be active in participating. When we are singing, you sing. Even if you are at home. I’m sure you sing in the shower. Why? Because you think no one can hear you. Be just as brave as you are in the shower. Sing loud.
- Hold your Bible and take notes. Get yourself a journal, and be an active listener. If I reference a verse in another book of the Bible, turn your Bible to that passage.
- Continue to pray for me as I preach.
- A larger audience may watch the sermons and the service. Pray that the Lord would use these mornings to spread the Gospel, and draw people to Himself.
If we are not able to be around each other physically, we must be very intentional in having relationships with each other. Here are some ways to continue having fellowship with your local body.
Communication
- Text messages. Send a short message to those in the church. Share pictures of your daily life with one another.
- FaceTime and Skype. Even better than hearing someone’s voice is seeing their face at the same time. Utilize the technology that we have to build stronger relationships.
We may be limited in our ability to gather, but we still have a responsibility to teach the word, read the word and equip the church. We will accommodate this by using software to have group meetings together. We will be using a program called zoom.us to host meetings.
- Step 1 - Download zoom.us.
- You can download Zoom by going to zoom.us on your computer.
- iPhone/iPad - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zoom-cloud-meetings/id546505307
- Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.zoom.videomeetings&hl=en_US
- When you open the app, please give it permission to use your microphone and camera if it asks.
- Step 2 - Participate
- Wednesday Night Bible Study at 6:30 on Zoom. You will receive an email from the church that includes a link that will get you into Bible Study.
- Sunday Morning CU after church at 10:15. You will receive an email on Saturday night with your link to join CU.
- Please be patient while we work out all the kinks. This is brand new for us.
Though we are not meeting together on Sundays, it is still very important to give. Your kind ministry of giving is still needed. There will be 3 ways for you to continue to regularly give.
- You can mail in your checks to Southwest Christian Church, 28030 Del Rio Road, Temecula, CA 92590
- You can give online using Venmo. Click here to watch a video, learning how to use Venmo.
We want to help you as you shepherd your children. Donna will send out weekly Sunday School lessons to parents in the church that include games, activities and stories to aid you in your effort to teach your children and train them up to know the Lord. Your time teaching your children is going to be one of the most valuable things you can do during these next 6 weeks.
Church Joes
Each Sunday, Lori Veith and friends bring food that she has gathered from Trader Joes. At this time she is still planning on gathering food, but this may change at a moment’s notice. We will be working with her to have food available. We are expecting times to be difficult and want to help provide you with resources. Please contact Randy Taylor to arrange a time to visit the Veith’s and make arrangements for assistance.
Conclusion
I’m not sure how the church would have responded to this problem 10 years ago. We didn’t have the resources that we have today. In God’s providence, we face this time together with new technology to help us. Please visit the church website, southwestchristianchurch.org often. You will find changes and resources there to help you. If you have any questions don’t be silent. Feel free to send me an email (lukek@southwestchristianchurch.org).
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Luke