With the rise of COVID-19 and increased levels of concern, including the BC government’s ban on large gatherings (over 250), we are moving our Sunday gatherings online for the next few weeks. This move is from a place of caution and a desire to do our part in reducing the speed of the spread of this virus in our communities.
We have to remember at times like this the church is a people not a place, and it’s a people on mission defined not by fear or anxiety, but hope and an opportunity to be salt and light.
The online experience will be on Sunday at 7am, 9am, 11am, and 5pm (PDT) at thisisvillage.online starting this Sunday.
We want you to gather your family, friends and even neighbours, etc., if they haven’t been to church before, to experience Village Church Online. It will be the full church service – worship, sermon, announcements, etc.
Over the next few weeks we will be talking about the issues that we are faced with right now as a culture (fear, anxiety, panic, question of God, the afterlife, meaning) and how faith in Jesus is the only answer and solution. So, not only do we want you to tune in but we want you to share the link and invite others to join in as well. There is an opportunity here for even more people to hear about Jesus this Sunday than normally do at our physical locations.
The Church is still the Church and we will be meeting online and continuing to do ministry as staff and volunteers, during the week, in all the ways we normally do. So if you are part of Village Church, make sure you continue to Give here, pray and serve those around you.
All other ministry activities will continue where there are smaller groups such as Community Groups, Village Youth, Alpha, Freedom Session, Marriage Prep, etc., but all gatherings of more than 250 people are postponed and we will re-book them (worship nights, etc.).
Let’s make a difference by showing that the Church is not just a Sunday morning thing but a people called to help in times of crisis. This might include interacting and encouraging those who may become quarantined or have chosen to stay at home because they are in a high-risk category. Perhaps deliver groceries or pick up necessary prescriptions for those that need the help.
Pray for God’s protection and for healing for those already affected by the virus especially seniors and those with pre-existing conditions. As Christians, we remember that in matters like this, God invites us to trust in him rather than worry or panic.
We will continue to be monitoring the situation daily and will send out updates as to when we will meet at our physical locations again.
See you this Sunday at thisisvillage.online and remember to share the link and invite your friends, family and co-workers to watch the first ever Village Church Online service.
Useful Links
BC Centre for Disease Control
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
Fraser Valley Health
https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/coronavirus
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019