Aloha and Blessings,
In response to the covid-19 crisis, Governor Ige has announced a statewide shelter in place order effective through April 30, 2020. Although difficult for all of us, the order is intended to provide the best chance to manage infection rates, especially among the most vulnerable in our population. We thank our government and health authorities for their leadership and example.
Sadly, this means that the LCH community will not be able to hold in-person worship services for Holy Week, Easter, and the Sundays after Easter through April 30. However, we have received communication from Mayor Caldwell’s office that churches may use their sanctuaries for live-streaming worship as long as a very limited number of worship leaders adhere to rules of social distancing and personal hygiene. Our worship team has carefully designed our worship to abide with these guidelines and will continue to stream worship from our sanctuary unless it unsafe to do so. We hope and pray that you will join us online and share this worship opportunity with your extended family far and wide. Many congregations are not able to provide online worship, and we can be a temporary church home for them during this crisis. Our first Lenten service was viewed over 1,200 times and reached over 2,500 people!
Secondly, I will be reaching out to several members to serve on a “calling tree” that will make weekly calls to members and friends of the congregation. If you would like to help with this, please contact Pastor Jeff at pr.jeff@lchwelcome.org. I am also setting up three online fellowship opportunities each week to help keep us connected and encouraged over the next few weeks.
Lastly, several members of our congregation have been laid off or lost their jobs as businesses are forced to close due to the state and federal shutdowns. We do not expect those folks to continue with their usual patterns of giving and encourage them to care for their families. For those of us who are able, an additional stewardship gift would be welcome. If you or your family are in need of emergency financial help, please contact Pastor.
As always, God is walking with us through dark days, and we know that Easter dawns each day. Thank you to staff members Anne Sing, Scott Fikse, Reid Ishikawa, Mark Wong, and Carolyn Koehler for their hard work and dedication. And a HUGE mahalo to our steadfast council and volunteers who keep the faithful work of the church alive and thriving!
Peace,
Pastor Jeff Lilley