COVID-19 IMPACT ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Hopers,

Spring has finally arrived!  Spring is a season of renewal with new life springing up!  Spring also brings Easter, a special celebration of the resurrection of our Lord!  People are hoping for a recovery, a restoration to the way things were before the pandemic.  It has been over a year now since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.

We have a new Objective Statement for 2021 befitting this season: “To bring renewal, recovery, and restoration by sharing our hope in Christ.  From Isaiah 62, we said that the true renewal, recovery, and restoration we need is a restored, reconciled relationship with God!  God in Christ Jesus recreates our hearts so that we can be reconciled to God. 

All this is made possible because of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  His death shows how horrible our sins are that it necessitated the wrath of God being poured out on the Son.  His resurrection shows that Jesus has won us an ultimate victory over sin and death!  I hope and pray that we all can see and appreciate the grace of God in all of this.

As a result of the death and resurrection of our Lord, we are now the children of the living God.  God now says of us, who have put our faith in Christ, “My Delight is in Her!” (Isaiah 63:4).  We are no longer mourning in ashes, no longer forsaken and desolate, but “married” to God, and He rejoices over us as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride.

In the midst of this pandemic, I want to encourage you to prioritize your relationship with God.  And I want to remind you that God has given us the church the community to grow in our relationship with God.  This means that we should not give up meeting together in our worship services.  This means building each other up as we strive to meet in our Koinonia Groups, Discipleship Training (DT), Reflection Groups, Bible Studies, and Prayer Meetings.

Finally, please pray with the leadership of the church as we seek God’s wisdom in how, where, and when to open up for the in-person, indoor worship service on Sundays.  We are thankful to God that He has allowed us to worship safely, virtually thus far, but time has come for us to cautiously plan and open up for an in-person, indoor worship service.  We are excited at the prospect of worshipping together with you, but before we do, we need to pray for God’s guidance.

Lord willing, see you in person soon to worship together!

Pastor Joe

Hope Gatherings

  1. On Sundays:

    • We are beginning in-person worship on Aug 15, 2021 at Black Mountain Middle School.

    • Our worship services will continue virtually (livestream via Zoom) . They will be recorded and made available to you. Participate in Sunday worship here.

    • Children’s Sunday School (S.P.A.R.K.S) content will be available virtually on our website here.

      • Please contact Children’s Director Bunny Shin (bunny.shin@gmail.com) for the password.

    • Youth Group content will be available here.

      • Please contact Youth Group pastoral intern Daniel Kim (dtkim1794@gmail.com) for any questions.

  2. During the Week:

    Various Times – Koinonia Groups, Discipleship Training (DT)

    Wednesdays @ 7:30 PM — Men’s Bible Study

    Fridays @ 10 AM — Women’s Bible Study

    Fridays @ 7 PM – College Group Bible Study

    Fridays @ 7 PM – Youth Group Bible Study

    Saturdays @ 9 AM — Prayer Meeting

  3. We need each other more than ever before, so we are encouraging you not to neglect “meeting together” (Hebrews 10:25), although we are doing so virtually. Let’s keep ministering to one another.

Other Recommendations:

  1. We are urging all our young people (following federal government’s recommendation) to practice social distancing (6 feet). Although you may not be showing symptoms, you may be a carrier, and we do not want you to be spreading the virus unknowingly. The loving thing to do, in the case of Covid-19, may be to practice social distancing to stop the virus from spreading.

  2. If you are showing symptoms for Covid-19, please let the session know so that we could help you.

  3. As we were reminded few Sundays ago, during this pandemic fraught with much panic, let us show the peace of God that we have to the world so that they, too, would want this peace that surpasses all understanding. For those who are anxious, turn to God in prayer because He is in control of all things, including your life. Focus your mind on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Yes, Jesus is most excellent and most worthy of praise, so focus your mind on Him. And finally, act out of the peace you have in your union with Christ to love and serve others!

Helpful Practices for COVID-19

The President and the federal government are asking the following in what they are calling “15 Days to Slow the Spread.” Here’s some of what the government (federal and local) is urging us do:

  1. Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.

  2. If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.

  3. If your children are sick, keep them at home. Contact your medical provider.

  4. If someone in your household has tested positive for the Coronavirus, keep the entire household at home.

  5. If you are an older person and at higher risk (heart disease, diabetes, etc.), stay home and away from other people.

  6. If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition—such as a significant heart or lung problem—stay home and away from other people.

Sunday Service ONLINE

Join us for worship Sundays 10:30 am in person at Black Mountain Middle School or virtually on livestream through Zoom. Recordings are posted on our YouTube channel.

Go to our “Sermons” page for more information.