Coronavirus Updates (Page 2)
How Can I Help?
I have asked this question so many times over the last couple weeks. I want so much to serve God in the midst of this crisis. I want so much to help LifeWay serve our community in the midst of this crisis. I want us to take advantage of this opportunity to live out our faith and be the body of Christ. The funny thing is, for the last couple of weeks, every opportunity I pursued to get LifeWay involved…
Passion Week Begins
In the midst of business shutdowns, school closures, and a global pandemic that is affecting every country and corner of the world, we are about to enter Passion Week. We have always taken time on Good Friday for a reflective service, followed by a joyful Easter Sunday service. A few times I have led or participated in an Easter morning sunrise gathering. But I am not sure that I have ever taken the time to follow the traditional church calendar…
Fear
I recently started reading Genesis for my devotions. I say this because it has been at least a few years since the last time I did that…not devotions, but Genesis for devotions. In Genesis 15:1, it said the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you.’” If I am correct, this marked the first time in the Bible God said to someone to not be afraid. Check this…
Virtual Prayer Meetings Launch Next Week!
The Prophet Isaiah introduced a King in Isaiah 61 who would rule in a glorious kingdom. He went on to say that the destruction of Jerusalem would come to a stop. The people of God would restore the city back to its former greatness. More importantly, the people would be restored to a right relationship with their God. Then in Isaiah 61:6, it said, “But you will be called the priests of the Lord; You will be spoken of as…
A Message from Marta — March 31
Happy Tuesday, KidVenture kids and families! Let’s continue to dig into God’s word this week. Here are a few things to help you do that. This Week In KidVenture This week, we will check out Mark 12:41-44. In this very short story, Jesus teaches us that giving—especially giving back to God—is a way to worship and honor him. Here is a printable reading plan for the week, with questions and a verse of the week to help us dig into…
Reading Your Bible
For years, I have had a system for reading my Bible. I typically read in this order: an Old Testament chapter or two, a portion of the gospel story in the life of Jesus, then a New Testament chapter. Sometimes I will work my way through the Psalms to end in worship. In recent days, I have been reading through the Prophets, and I have been hit in the face with the relevant and current message that comes from the…
Message from Billy – March 27, 2020
Isolation and Insulation These terms have become a reality for us in these remarkably unusual days. In our B.C. (Before COVID-19) existence, we were all so busy with constant demands. We filled our lives with non-stop reasons to have fun. We spent our days accumulating all the stuff of life, then spent our nights constantly thinking of ways to insulate and protect it. We could only dream of an isolated retreat where we could all get away from the rat…
Generosity in a Time of Fear
This week the Bible Project, like many other organizations, created some content for families to start gospel conversations at home. It included a short video, some Bible readings, and some discussion questions—and overall, it was quite good. What struck me was the topic. The first topic that they chose, in response to a pandemic sweeping into the United States and across the world, was generosity. This might seem minor in comparison to God’s sovereignty, His power, or our faith, but…
A Note to Parents
As a result of our nation’s response to the virus outbreak, children have been transformed into homeschooling students and parents have been transformed into teachers overnight. So how is #Homeschool2020 going in your home? I have heard reports that in isolated cases, students have been expelled, and teachers have been caught drinking on the job! It is OK. The beginning may be rough, but hang in there, parents! I am a parent, too. As with everything else in life, things…
A LifeGroup Update
Several Sundays ago, before the Stay At Home order, I began to introduce to you a community group ministry called LifeGroups. LifeGroups is very simply a place where believers at LifeWay live closely with one another. It is an intimate community group. As you probably guessed, much like everything else at LifeWay, the launch date of LifeGroups is on hold until God gives us the “all clear” to proceed. But even though LifeGroups is delayed, this does not mean I…
KidVenture Update – March 24, 2020
Hello, KidVenture kids and parents! I hope you are all enjoying time at home together. Since we aren’t getting together for KidVenture, here are a few things you can check out during the week to keep digging into the Bible, and a few resources you may find helpful. THIS WEEK IN KIDVENTURE This week, we will check out Luke 15. In this chapter Jesus tells three parables. A parable is a story that teaches us something about God. Here is…
Message from Billy – March 24, 2020
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” — Psalm 91:1-2 On Sunday, March 22, we held our first-ever live-streamed service. Many of you joined in live, and I hope that it was encouraging to you. I must thank Kevin P once again for working so hard on this project last week. I also thank Brad Tucker, Jeremy Trivelas, Alvin Lin, and Rachel…
Service plans on March 15
This coming Sunday, March 15, the church will be open. We are a people led by the Holy Spirit to pray for and stand with each other and to pray for the lost and searching in the world. That is exactly what we are going to do. We want no one to feel pressured to interact, but for those who choose to attend, we will offer the usual two services at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. with these changes: Multiply!…
Scheduling updates from Pastor Billy – March 13
Part 1: Current Plan for LifeWay Events Sunday services This coming Sunday, March 15, the church will be open. We are a people led by the Holy Spirit to pray for and stand with each other and to pray for the lost and searching in the world. That is exactly what we are going to do. We want no one to feel pressured to interact, but for those who choose to attend, we will offer the usual two services at…
A Word of Encouragement from Pastor Billy
Dear LifeWay Family, I find it interesting that our winter series through Acts 8-15 was all about “uncharted territory.” The early church was faced with challenges that were theological in nature, and that involved the upheaval of social structure. The early church in Jerusalem was at first a “happy and comfortable place” (see Acts 2:42-47 & 4:32-37), but overnight, their comfort was radically destroyed when Stephen, one of their deacons, was stoned to death. How did the church react? They ran…
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