Sunday Live Stream – March 22, 2020

with Pastor Amos and Pastor Kristina

K: Good morning HMC!

A: And Happy Sunday! My name is Pastor Amos

K: And I am Pastor Kristina

A: And we are so glad you have tuned in – on this beautiful Sunday morning! We are streaming to you LIVE from the empty sanctuary at HMC. We are six feet apart and practising safe social distancing – and we hope that you are too.

Truth be told. Pastor Kristina always keeps at least 6 feet from me every time I see her anyways!

K: We miss you. The empty building isn’t the same without you! But our primary concern is the health and safety of you – and of people in our community.

A: That’s right. And because of that – we will be LIVE STREAMING on SUNDAY’s for the time being but we will be following the protocols of our governments and local health authorities!

K: Pastor Lyndsay and Pastor Dave are watching from home.

A: And so is my mom! Hi mom! I made it! I am on camera!

K: You are such a nut-case.

A: Excuse me. You have the next line next.

K: Stop! We want to acknowledge that all of this has happened so incredibly fast. And a lot of the news is scary. And we want you to know that though we can’t meet at HMC – we can meet online. We are here for you!

A: Absolutely. You can contact each of us directly, through email, or through our Facebook page. We love reading your comments and want to answer any questions you have. If you have a specific question in our live stream we are asking that you CAPITALIZE the word QUESTION – so we can quickly flag it through the comment section.

Oh, look at that. Someone just asked a question.

Chris Winkels from Chesley asks – QUESTION: Amos, how did you get so handsome?!
Thanks Chris!

*Pick up phone and pretend to type.
Oh – another QUESTION. This one is coming from… you Kristina.
QUESTION: Amos, how long do I have to listen to you talk?

K: If you are still in a position to give – and want to – you can do so through our tithely app, or direct deposit. If you are planning on giving by cheque, please contact the church office for arrangements and options.

A: Today is an exciting day! There are only two things we need to do this morning.

The first is to roll out plans for our two brand new initiatives at HMC. HMC digital and HMC cares.

And the second is to bare our souls with you in hopes to encourage you through this time.

K: This past week – the staff have been working furiously to create a plan of action for the coming weeks. We are really proud and really excited to roll out the details of that plan with you today. Your patience, support, and understanding has meant the world to us. And know, that as the situation evolves, so will our strategy. So please stay informed. Check the HMC Facebook page and website daily for updates!

Our strategy is two fold: meet digitally and reach out personally.

The initiatives and online schedule are already on our website under the HMCdigital drop-down menu. If you can split-screen, we would be happy if you followed along.

We will give you a moment to figure that out.

A: While we are waiting, should I tell a joke? Kids – you like my jokes don’t you?!

K: Oh please no.

A: Oh – another QUESTION!

This one is for you Kristina!
QUESTION: Pastor Kristina – what is it like working with someone who is so funny?!

K: Everybody ready?! If you don’t have the schedule in front of you – don’t fret. You can always read it later!

A: Our first initiative – HMC digital – is a unique online strategy to meet you and your family in your homes, where you are at. The platform will be multifaceted – trying to reach as many people – with as many variant degrees of technical abilities as possible.

K: The digital platform will be spread throughout the week with both prescheduled ‘online-events’ and impromptu gatherings, live streams and videos!

A: Sunday morning will be a mix – like a hybrid of both streaming and content. Our live stream will start at 10AM sharp.

But the Sunday ‘service’ will actually start in your homes 9:45AM. We are going to offer a Spotify playlist through a link – that has worship tunes to blast through your house before the live stream!

Then at 10AM the livestream will go up. You will see one of the Pastors from HMC – and we will give a 15-20 minute mini-sermon to encourage you, inspire you, and get you into your Bibles!

K: And we are really excited – because each sermon will be transcribed – both digitally – and in hard copies. So if you know someone who is not tech-savvy, or connected, but would still like to be a part of our service – we can mail, or hand deliver the sermon to them – or you!

A: After the livestream our service moves into your home. We will have a digital curriculum for you to download or print to use as individuals, couples, or families.

The curriculum is generation friendly. Content for all ages. There will be a scripture reading – a 2nd Story – play ideas – conversation starters – sacred prayer ideas – sacred Sunday meal ideas – and more. You can find more details on the schedule.

And in the days and weeks ahead there will be online tutorials of how to best utilize the curriculum and how to encourage your spiritual growth!

K: Then again at 11AM we will livestream for a closing benediction and prayer. Following the benediction we will have several ZOOM rooms – which are online group chats – for anyone who wants to connect with a pastor, for prayer or conversation.

Again, there are online tutorials of how to connect into a ZOOM room!

A: I am excited!

K: Me too! Then on Monday – we will be dropping our weekly briefing online. A summary of the what the week has ahead: the schedule, upcoming online events, prayer requests, and church updates!

A: Then on Tuesday morning at 10AM Pastor Dave will be going live with a devotional and a ZOOM room group chat immediately following – for conversation and prayer.

Then on Wednesday night I will be live-streaming our BEDTIME story at 7:05PM – picking up on the meal stories we have been covering at the MIDWEEK MEAL!

Following the BEDTIME story Pastor Dave will be opening a ZOOM ROOM group at 8PM for anyone who wants to chat and pray!

K: On Thursday we will be dropping some helpful hints, encouragements, and challenges!

And I will be going live at 6PM for a new segment called COOKING with KRISTINA! We will be making and baking together some delicious desserts, random recipes and maybe other non-food things! So watch for recipes and ideas!

Then at 8PM I will be opening a ZOOM ROOM group chat at 8PM intended for moms and ladies! Husbands – put those kids to bed so we can chat!

A: Alright! I can do that!

Then on Friday I will be hosting our ZOOM ROOM JRYo at 7PM – and ZOOM ROOM SRYo at 8PM! We are going to have online game nights. Video challenges. Conversation and prayer. It is going to be grand!

K: And then we meet back here – in the digital sphere – for church again on Sunday!

A: I am really excited for the days and weeks ahead. Now – we know the situation around the COVID-19 pandemic is changing almost everyday. So we have put this digital plan in place for at least the next 4 weeks. Again – stay tuned for updates and changes.

K: The second main initiative – HMC cares – is really awesome! Over the next while – we are making it priority one to personally reach out to each and every single person and family. We know that this is a huge task! And so we aren’t doing it alone. We have formed a care team, made up of several key leaders to help make the calls and reach out. And we believe, in fact we know, this is the church in action. We want to hear your voices. Talk to you. Listen to your concerns and note your needs and prayer requests. It is going to take some time to get this team mobilized – but expect a call from one of our HMC cares team soon! Beyond the personal contact – we will have community boards, ways to reach out, ideas – maybe a cookie cares team! Stay tuned!

A: Wow. The church in action. I love it.

AMOS HOMILY:

It doesn’t really need to be said how incredibly surreal all of this is.
For you.
For us.
For everybody.

Our world has literally stopped. Almost the entire globe. Caught in unimaginable panic, and uncertainty. We can imagine how you are feeling right now. Because we feel it also. There is a lot of uncertainty. A lot of unrest and fear. AND It is really strange to be here on a Sunday morning and staring at empty pews! I mean – I am getting about as many laughs I would normally. So that isn’t so different. But we fully recognize the extraordinary events affecting our lives and our community.

In moments like these – I find nothing more comforting than the scriptures. The story of God at work in the world.

If you have your Bibles—which I know you do because you are at home, and haven’t been able to forget to bring them to church—

In ACTS 2 we find the disciples waiting. Some 120 people gathered in an upper room – probably in the temple because they were Jews – celebrating the feast of Pentecost.

They were praying and earnestly waiting for the promise Jesus had made to them. That he would send the counsellor, the Spirit, the helper. When I picture this room, I see pillars holding up the roof. A bench surrounding. A stone floor. And oil lamps scattered throughout. I can imagine the murmur in the room of the disciples praying. Men, women, probably youth and children. A quiet sort of energy. They are pensive; unsure but earnest, when all of a sudden the sound of a mighty wind ripped through everyone gathered had what seemed to be tongues of fire over their heads. The counsellor had arrived! The Holy Spirit had filled them. They were – in that moment – literally radiating God to the world. And I can see these people almost instantly changed.

And when the Spirit filled them they were filled with HOPE. The HOPE OF GOD – an eternal living hope. A hope in the understanding of God’s purpose in the world through Jesus Christ.

They were filled with BOLDNESS. their very purpose of their lives changed in an instant. They fearlessly marched down those steps into a hostile crowd, unafraid – because they now knew that JESUS was both the RESURRECTION and the LIFE.

And I can imagine when they marched down those steps of the upper room,
they flooded into the court of the gentiles and began speaking in languages they did not know, prophesying and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ

The Jews were stunned. Shocked! Just stop and picture this bizarre scene.
Imagine if you were a Jew at the temple that day. You’d likely have heard of Jesus of Nazareth, the hope of his Messiahship, his deeds and death, but surely that movement was over?! Now all of these people are flooding into the court speaking foreign languages and speaking of Jesus being alive?!

‘They are speaking our languages!’ some said in amazement. ‘They are drunk on cheap wine!’ others scoffed.

But Peter – full of courage – stood up on the steps and gave the first spirit-led preach!

That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:
“In the Last Days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters;Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams.When the time comes, I’ll pour out my Spirit On those who serve me, men and women both, and they’ll prophesy. I’ll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, Blood and fire and billowing smoke, the sun turning black and the moon blood-red, Before the Day of the Lord arrives, the Day tremendous and marvelous; And whoever calls out for help  to me, God, will be saved.”

KRISTINA
In the story Amos just told, the Holy Spirit came upon the Christians and filled them with power to go out and bring Jesus to the world around them. After Peter’s speech in Acts 2, thousands chose to follow Jesus and the good news spread like wildfire. People were being healed of all sorts of things, people were selling their belongings to care for each other, prison gates were being miraculously opened, and the disciples who had previously been filled with fear were preaching boldly. God was adding to their numbers daily.

In chapter 5 of Acts, we see that the Jewish religious leaders were growing increasingly jealous. No matter what they did they couldn’t seem to stop this. A pharisee named Gamaliel warned how coworkers that if this was not a movement from God it would just die down but they should be cautious in case it was from God. The others did not listen.

In Acts 8, persecution started to ramp up. Stephen, one of the great church leaders had been just been killed…

At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to vicious harassment. Everyone except the apostles was scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 Some pious men buried Stephen and deeply grieved over him. 3 Saul began to wreak havoc against the church. Entering one house after another, he would drag off both men and women and throw them into prison.

Now, I am not going to fool myself into thinking that what we are experiencing truly compares to the persecution of these people were experiencing. But, like them, we are experiencing forced dispersion, fear, and uncertainty. We are waiting on the precipice of something that is beyond our control. That can either cripple us with fear or fill us with purpose.

AMOS
And in this moment, I think I finally beginning to know what it means to be a Spirit-led church.
To be a JOEL 3 church.
to be an ACTS 2 church.

The truth of this story hasn’t changed—my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, old and young, male and female—we are all scared. We are all uncertain.

If you are a follower of Jesus and the Spirit lives in you:
You can walk in HOPE
You can live in BOLDNESS

You can live out HOPE eternal – because you know that God’s redeeming work in the world is not finished. That even through this crisis God is at work. He still lives. He still moves. He still redeems all that is lost and broken.

My friends, you can live in BOLDNESS – because you have been given the promise of the resurrection because of Jesus. and nothing can strip that promise!

AND – I BELIEVE – MOST IMPORTANTLY
If you are a follower of Jesus and the Spirit lives in you
you are a PRIEST in GOD’s KINGDOM

You are those spirit-led people in the upper room you are the young and old, men and women of Joel who will dream and speak God’s LIFE into the world! You are the priesthood of believers

I speak for our staff team when we say how much we love you
how being a part from you is grieving
how much we loved being your Pastors.
We love being at HMC .

But now – in this moment in time in the life of our church it isn’t our time – it is yours! It is time for you to fully live out your call – as a priesthood of all believers:

mothers and fathers
you are now the pastors of your own home
you are the primary source of faith formation, education, excitement, prayer and story

children
you are the storytellers, worship leaders, creative arts directors! fill your house with play – and songs – and colour – laughter and hugs!

youth, singles, couples, marrieds
you are the prophetic voice of our generation
you are the visionaries who will reshape the world by the values of Jesus!

the old, wise, and grey
you are the counsellors, the wise, the encourages, the prayer warriors,

KRISTINA
We have been a church together for a long time but now we are being dispersed. This is an opportunity to spread the light. To develop our spiritual gifts, as Amos wrote about this week and has spoken about today. Each family is going to need someone to teach, someone to shepherd, someone to show hospitality, and all of the other gifts. This dispersion could mean the extinguishing of all of these tiny lights, (blow out a candle)

or it could mean the start of new ones. (Light some new candles)

We have a chance now that none of us imagined, to be a light in our communities. To be Jesus to our neighbours and to our church community as well. The way we go forward will impact the future of our church in this community, and in the whole world. We can take this time to care for others both in our little family group, in our larger church family, and in the community at large. This is an unprecedented opportunity to use your gifts. Get creative. Take your faith seriously.

Rise up church!

AMOS
Undoubtedly and unequivocally
we are here for you in whatever capacity we have
to call, encourage, resource, facilitate, to equip

but my friends
in this moment we ALL have a profound opportunity to be and act what we already are
EVEN IN CRISIS
EVEN IN TRAGEDY
EVEN IN UNCERTAINTY
EVEN IN DEATH

EMBRACE YOUR LIFE in HOPE because of the Spirit’s work
EMBRACE YOUR WALK IN BOLDNESS
EMBRACE YOUR CALL to be the PRIESTHOOD of ALL BELIEVERS
and when we do we will take on the image of our Master – Jesus
we will become more and more like him!
and we will begin to look and sound and talk and walk like Jesus
and join him in his work of redeeming it!

Blessings and peace be upon you
We love you
And we look forward to connecting with you again soon!

PASTOR DAVE is live streaming this TUESDAY at 10AM

God bless!

A Priesthood of All Believers: A Response to COVID-19

To: my fellow Pastors,
former classmates,
church leaders,
(and of course my congregation)

I can still remember the weight and the look of my dad’s ‘church bag’. A big-lug-of-leather brief case. And if memory serves, he only took it church. It was filled with loose papers, his Bible, pens without lids, and church candy. Oh that sweet, sweet church candy! Our family would sit two rows from the front (keeners) – spitting distance from the Pastor. Sunday morning and Sunday night – every week – without fail.

And I loved it.

I loved going to church. I loved being a part of a church. Seeing the people. The feeling of being swept into the river of folks mixing after service. I loved the stories. I felt safe in the building.

I loved the community. The flyby-pencil-stealing-missions past Mrs. Ernst every week. I needed to draw! And she could only guard the supply room door for so long, until SWOOP. Another stash of church pens in my pocket.

Looking back, it isn’t a wonder that I wandered into the clergy. I still love the church. It is my second home. The people are my family. Even my children have been absorbed into the same way-of-being I experienced as a child. They run through the doors, kick off their boots, find the secret stock of baby cookies, and settle in. Our family schedule and weekly rhythm has been molded around the church rhythms. You know as well as I, pastoring isn’t a job – it’s a way of life.

COVID-19 has disrupted almost every facet of pastoral life.

We have literally watched the world stop. Our government has closed its borders. World governments have completely locked-down and shut-out. Airlines have been grounded. The markets are in free-fall. The streets are nearly empty. The toilet paper is gone! And millions upon millions upon millions of people are in isolation. Projections for the crisis to end are a moving target. Our government has signalled we should prepare for weeks and months. Scientists forecast June, or July, or August as a possible end to social isolation and the return of ‘normal life’. Some have suggested even a year. Maybe they are wrong! Maybe they are right. Our world has changed in a blink of an eye. Our churches have followed suit.

COVID-19 has disrupted almost every facet of church life.

Nearly every operation of our in-person community building mechanisms have halted simultaneously. Sunday Worship. Midweek meals. Small Groups. Youth. Visitation. Events. Missions trips. Staff meetings. And all those precious impromptu conversations in the foyer. The hugs. Smiles. Weekly updates. Jokes and rants.

Stopped.

Worse. It is conceivable that as Pastors we may not physically see, or speak, or cluster with our parishioners for weeks on end. It is conceivable that our people may not physically gather for groups, events, meals, game-nights, conferences, or Sunday worship for months.

Let that sink in.

Like you, my soul is grieved. There are moments I am speechless at the thought. Breathless. Where is this going? What will happen to the spiritual health of our people? What will happen to our churches as institutions? What will be left of our denominations, our bank accounts, the volunteer corps, summer interns, that cream I left in the fridge? Can we hold out for weeks, or months, or years? I know it sounds apocalyptic, but I can’t help but wonder:

is the Evangelical Church on the brink of extinction?

Oh, hear me local church Pastor – Sunday gatherings will happen in the post-COVID era. There will be sound glitches, mediocre coffee, hugs and songs, endearing awkward conversations, greetings in the foyer. It is all waiting on the other side. It may take weeks, or months, or longer. But how, oh how, can it ever be the same?

We are all scrambling. Upping our online presence (at least until the internet collapses). Our care teams are in place. Calls are being made. Groceries delivered. But live streaming alone cannot sustain us. We risk becoming a literal ‘show’ and just another barrier to an already passive-consumer-Christian experience. Zoom groups will keep us talking. But they limit our capacity to fully care. Besides, these methods are adult-centric and tech-heavy. Our most vulnerable – the kids, youth, and elderly – remain the most vulnerable. We are in a crisis of faith.

But beneath my feelings of dread and grief, there is a surge of excitement welling out of my soul. Jesus spoke: ‘It is the people, stupid.’ It has always been the people. The kids. The youth. The adults and singles and elderly. The families. It is not our brand. Our programming. Not our vision. Our building. Our production quality. Our preaching. It is the people.

It is time to reimagine the church. It is time to reequip the people!

In this moment, in this crisis of faith, we have a profound opportunity. We have a chance to re-energize our parents to be the spiritual caretakers of their children, youth, and families. We have a window to re-charge our adults to be self-motivated, self-teaching, self-driven people of faith. We have a moment to re-invigorate our people to be the church in action! We have the freedom to reimagine our congregations as JOEL 3 – ACTS 2 people of faith. A priesthood of all believers!

Our congregations are desperate for it.

Every family needs a Storyteller.
(someone who can open up their Bible, read it aloud with conviction, weave a picture with their words, and make it alive!)

Every house needs a Worship-Arts Director.
(someone to paint and draw and express, someone to take charge of the family playlist, load it with Jesus-songs, fill the air with hymns and praise and dance music!)

Every parent and grandparent needs to be Child and Youth Worker.
(someone who takes the work of play seriously – who guards the imagination of their children as their highest priority – who dares their youth to ask tough questions – and who is secure enough to listen without judgement!)

Every person needs a Counsellor.
(someone to listen, create sacred spaces for sharing and prayer.)

Our communities are desperate for it.

Every house needs a Pastor.
(someone who cares deeply for those around them, checks in, prays, and shepherds their flock!)

Every street needs an Evangelist.
(someone to speak boldly the love of Jesus without judgement, or fear, or hesitation!)

Every block needs a Prophet.
(someone who will cry out against injustice, hold truth to power, exclaim God’s promises, advocate for the poor, the starving, and the vulnerable, in Jesus’ name!)

Every town needs an Apostle.
(those who will be sent out on mission – in both physical and digital spaces – to redesign public space, and reinvigorate public conversation, for Jesus’ sake!)

Everyone needs not one – but many Teachers.
(people who adore the ancient scriptures, teach the history, adhere to context and form, embed the biblical narrative into daily lives of those around them!)

And everyone needs a Care Pastor and Encourager.
(people who actively see and intuitively read the needs of their neighbours and respond in kind with open hands and joyful hearts!)

Toddlers. Children. Youth. Adults. Parents. Singles. Grandparents. Families. Generations. We all have a part! There is no time for us to sit idle. We cannot wait this thing out.

If ever our towns needed an organic network of Spirit-led people – it is now.

If ever our world needed to hear and see the Good News of Jesus Christ working and flowing through everyday people – it is now.

If ever your church needed you, as a Pastor, as a shepherd, as an equipper of the saints – it is now.

In this moment, we must do what we were trained to do: reimagine the church and equip the people for the ministry! And then watch, as the priesthood of believers reshapes our world for Jesus’ sake.

There is no model on ‘how to do this’. Complications will abound. Our plans will be a mess. The work is insurmountable. But the spirit will lead.

This is our moment:

To rethink our purpose.
To reequip our people.
To reimagine the church.

May the Spirit lead us.

Your friend and brother,
in love,
in Christ,

-amos

Download a PDF version of this article and share with anyone who needs it.

How We’re Moving Forward: A Message from the Staff of HMC

Read our latest update from Pastor Dave.

Video transcription:

Hello. My name is Amos Shelley and I am the pastor of children, youth, and family at Hanover Missionary Church in Hanover, Ontario, Canada.

Covid-19 has changed our lives for the time being. Many of you are scared. Many of you are anxious. There’s uncertainty around jobs, around health, around our loved ones. We know the effects of social isolation and bans on large group gatherings have altered the course of our society for the time being.

I want to remind you that you are not alone and you are loved and you are not forgotten.

As a pastor and as staff who’s primary job is to meet with people in big and small groups, how we do church has to change for the time being and we are really excited to roll out two new initiatives for Hanover Missionary Church. HMCdigital and HMCcares.

HMCdigital will be a unique online strategy to meet you in your home where you are at. Couples, families, children, youth alike. There will be live streaming of content, there will be digital curriculum, sermon videos, sermon series, suggestions, updates, group chats. We will provide and facilitate as many opportunities for you to connect with each other and with us as possible and we’re excited to see what God will do with this medium.

HMCcares is perhaps the most comprehensive one-to-one contact mechanism that HMC has ever employed, and our goal is to personally contact each and every one of you through a person on our care team every single week. We want to hear your stories. We want to hear your voices. We want to pray with you and talk with you. We want to know your needs and how best to meet them.

Pastor Kristina and I will be live streaming this Sunday at 10:00 and sharing the plan and the strategy and the schedule for the weeks ahead. We invite you to join us. You can hop onto our Facebook page or even through our website at 10:00 to follow along and participate.

Most importantly we want to remind you that God’s redemptive work in the world isn’t finished. He is still active. He is still moving. No economic downturn or virus can slow His grace or mercy. The borders of his kingdom can’t be closed and His spirit can’t be put in isolation. His love is eternal and it is good. Even in death, the hope of the resurrection remains because of what Jesus Christ has done.

So be encouraged. You are the literal light of the world. You are the embodiment of hope and peace everywhere you go. You are filled with His spirit and you are filled with His love. And though there will be difficult days ahead, you’re not doing this alone. We are together, a family of families of generations who follow Jesus together.

For those who are not part of this family, know that this family is open. And if you know someone who need encouragement or needs to be connected in, send them this video, invite them to our Facebook page, connect with them, give them a call. Our family is open for anyone and everyone.

In the words of St. Paul to the Romans, he says there’s nothing that can separate us from God’s love. Nothing. Nothing high or low, nothing angel or demonic, nothing dead or alive, nothing thinkable or unthinkable. There’s absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of God because we have been embraced by Jesus Christ.

Know today that you are embraced by Jesus Christ, that He loves you, and He has not forgotten you even in the darkest times of our life. So feel His embrace, feel His love, connect with us. We’re here for you and we’ll talk to you soon.

Update: COVID-19 Response

For Immediate Release

March 15th, 2020

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matt 5:14)

Can our light be hidden if we don’t have a building?

Good morning everyone.  Since the video update yesterday evening, the situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus has been changing, even in Hanover with worship services now beginning to be cancelled.  In the last 12 hours, at least two local congregations have temporarily closed their doors for public worship, with the weekly community Lent services also being cancelled.

While we have been told that we are still okay to meet together this weekend, in consultation with Ministry Council, multiple sources from the medical world, as well as Health Canada and Ontario Public Health guidelines, we have decided that for the following two Sundays (March 22 and 29, 2020), we will be closing down our regular Sunday worship gatherings.  This is in addition to us temporarily closing all our weekly ministries this past Friday.

During this time, Hanover Missionary Church will not be providing any sort of live streaming worship service from our location.  However, we are happy to help provide families with suggestions for home Bible studies, as well as make suggestions for some excellent electronic resources that you can view and make use of from the safety of your home. Please contact a pastor for suggestions. 

While it is our desire for us to remain connected as a community, and it would be our natural desire to see small groups gather within the context of homes, we also need to be aware of the need for social distancing.  Any such gathering needs to be at your own discretion.  We are not organizing any official networks of small group meetings as a ministry of HMC.  

During this time, the church office will be officially closed for public access, but the staff and pastors are still available by phone or email.  For those who wish to give to our weekly offering, please consider using the tithe.ly app and giving electronically.  If you need to use the debit terminal or drop off an envelope in a lock box, you can still do that.  

We are currently working through a strategy and plan to ensure that the congregation is still cared for in this time.  If you are in need, are wanting prayer, and are needing some extra care because of the present COVID-19 outbreak, please contact our office and speak with a Pastor, or with Marie.  

Currently, the plan is to have worship services resume for April 5th, 2020.  We will re-evaluate our current situation over the next couple weeks and will keep you updated on any developments.  Please watch our website and social media pages for important updates.   

As we deal with what has become an unprecedented time within our country, remember that regardless of what happens with COVID-19, we are still the church. We don’t need a building to be the church.   You (the people) are the church.  As such, closing our doors do not stop us from being on mission for Jesus.  It does not stop us from loving others.  It does not stop us from being a source of light, hope, encouragement, comfort, and peace in a world that seems to be falling apart with panic and fear.  You and we are the light of the world.  The light of Jesus in us can not be hidden and needs to be shared.  

Find ways to be Jesus.

Until we gather again,

Pastor Dave

Read the original March 12, 2020 update

Bulletin — March 15, 2020

March is Camp Month at HMC. Each week will feature a focus on a different avenue of camp ministry. If you’re not longing for summer yet, this will really get you in the mood! Today we will remember the wonderful time we enjoyed at Carrick Camp last fall and will look ahead to making that happen again on September 13.

Happy March Break! Due to staff holidays the office will be closed during lunch hours most days. If you find the office closed and require immediate assistance, a pastor can be reached by calling or texting the pastoral care line at 519-379-1752.

HMC EVENTS

Please join us for a Worship & Prayer Night on Monday, March 23. 7-8 p.m.

There will be an important congregational meeting on Sunday, March 29. Please bring along some snack food to share, which will be enjoyed after the service, before the meeting. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Please join us for a Good Friday Communion Service on Friday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m.

We’re planning a complimentary continental breakfast on Easter Sunday (April 12) so plan to come early that morning to enjoy some fruit and baked goods – stay tuned for more details.

Are you thinking about getting baptized? If you would like to take this step in your faith, please connect with a pastor about making this a part of our Easter Sunday service.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for Frank and Anna Ewald as Frank is experiencing some health issues.

Please pray for Vern Dyck who has suffered a small stroke while travelling in the US. Praise God that he was able to get home! Please continue to pray for his full recovery.

OPPORTUNITIES

Theresa Marsden has been handling the Large Print Daily Bread ministry for years and is ready to pass the torch. If you’re interested in helping, connect with the office to learn what is involved.

An adult helper is needed in the preschool place on the last Sunday of each month. If you’re willing to volunteer, please talk to Marie Bezeau.

Moms and Tots still needs more adult volunteers to help with childcare on Wednesday mornings. Connect with Alicia DeVisser if you can help.

OTHER EVENTS

The Hanover Ministerial 2020 Lenten Service & Lunch series is happening on Wednesdays at noon at St. Matthews Lutheran until April 1. A freewill offering is collected at each event in support of Light on Main, Hanover & Area Refugee Committee, and Hope Grey-Bruce Community.

There is a Promise Keepers Men’s Conference in Owen Sound on Saturday, March 28. Please connect with Paul Nelson if you’re interested in attending.

CAMP MONTH MESSAGE

A further message from Dan Chester, spokesperson for Stayner Camp who joined us last week:

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. For Your loving kindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. Psalms 26:2-3 NKJV

I encourage you all to come to camp to allow yourself to take time away from your every day life. Camp provides an opportunity to set apart time to interact with God, taking time to search for His Way, His direction and His guidance for our walk with Him. This is our prayer: “Be though my Vision.”

ENGAGE WITH SCRIPTURE

It’s the perfect time to set a goal to dive into scripture. Pastor Kristina is inviting you to join her on a daily Bible reading plan. Go to shorter.at/ehnZ8 to accept her invitation to The Bible Project.

ONE TO ONE – Our goal at HMC is to be generations who follow Jesus together and one way we want to do that is through a “one to one” reading plan. Those who sign up will be matched with one other person in a different age group and given a short reading plan to read throughout the week. You will then be able to spend 10-20 minutes once a week with the person you are paired with to talk about what you read and discuss what you are learning. This will be a short term commitment with the chance to make it a long term one. Will you commit to trying this out for a couple of months and seeing what God does? Pick up a form at the Welcome Centre or chat with Pastor Kristina for more information.

BRANCHING OUT

Our Warming Centre runs every Thursday from noon to 2:00, providing a place for those in need of warmth and company to enjoy a hot bowl of soup and friendly conversation. We are accepting donations of non-perishable food items that can be handed out to those who attend. These items can be dropped off by the main office in the foyer. Also needed are donations of bars of soap and small bottles of shampoo, as well as knitted goods. As the weather is colder these days, we are very low on gloves and mitts. We appreciate your support and selfless giving to this ministry! If you’d like to volunteer for this great ministry opportunity, whether it’s to hang out with our guests, to serve or clean up, or to make soup, please connect with Marcia Burt.

Hanover Heights is still looking for donations of small hats, socks, and gloves/mittens that can be distributed to children who don’t have the necessary means to stay warm. These items can be dropped off outside the main office.

HMC’s Response to Covid-19

A NEW UPDATE WAS POSTED (ON MARCH 15, 2020)

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2020

We are a community of families. To borrow a phrase often used around here, ‘we are a family of families’. Part of being a family means that we love each other and look out for each other.

In the recent days and weeks, our world has been buzzing with news surrounding the COVID-19 virus that has moved across the globe and into our own province. With all the coverage surrounding COVID-19, and the potential risks associated with the outbreak, there is a level of fear and concern that exists.

At Hanover Missionary Church, we are aware of the concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus. While we do not want to perpetuate or continue an atmosphere of fear, we are committed to the health, safety, and well being of all those who would choose to worship with us on Sunday mornings or be a part of any of the weekly ministries here. With that in mind, in an attempt to be balanced in our response, we are proactively taking the following measures:

  1. For the immediate future, we are limiting handshakes, hugs, and other forms of physical contact that we use to greet each other. While we want to be welcoming, and show friendliness through physical contact, we want to ensure that we are not unnecessarily passing around illnesses.
  2. We have replenished our hand sanitizer stations by the main entrance, sanctuary doors, nursery, and other locations throughout our building. Please make use of them when you enter.
  3. Please ensure you wash your hands with soap and water after using the washroom.
  4. We are switching back to disposable dishes, cups, and cutlery for any event where food or drink are consumed until further notice.
  5. We are being vigilant to clean and disinfect all doorknobs and handles where a high volume of people will be touching.
  6. There will be some changes to our ministries here at the church during this time. In tandem with the school closures, all weekday ministries and HMC events will be taking a hiatus until April 5th. As of this point, because our Sunday gatherings fall below the 250 person attendance mark, services are still happening, but we will continue to monitor conditions and recommendations. We will re-evaluate our response based on current conditions prior to April 5th.
  7. If you have any new symptoms (such as a new cough, sniffles, fever, etc..), even if you think it is just a common cold or virus, or if you have been out of the country in the last fourteen days, please avoid all gatherings, including Sunday mornings, until your symptoms have cleared.

If you are ill and unable to be a part of our Sunday gathering in person, we will have a live stream option available for you to be a part of through our Facebook page. If you want to contribute to the offering, you can continue to give through the tithe.ly app, or by visiting tithe.ly .

If you are choosing to stay away from the Sunday gathering for your own safety and well being, but are not sick, please join us online through our Facebook page. You can give online through tithe.ly as well, or visit us in the office during the week to drop off your offering by envelope or through the debit terminal.

While a situation like this has the potential to create a lot of fear and panic, I want to encourage you to remain calm and trust in our God. Remember that He knows what is going on, and this is ultimately in His hands. We can find comfort and peace in Him, knowing that whatever happens, He is taking care of us.

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)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:7)

Praying for you in all things,

Pastor Dave

Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook for updates about this situation

Lean — March 8, 2020

Exodus 17:8-13

  1. Sometimes following God can take us through the battle. (vs 8)
  2. The battle belongs to God. (vs 9-11)
  3. As we stand our ground, we will grow tired. (vs 12a)
  4. Not only do we need to learn on God, but we need to lean on others. (vs 12b-13

Who is leaning on you, and who are you leaning on?

Exodus 17:8-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

Israel Defeats the Amalekites

8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”

10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Bulletin — March 8, 2020

March is Camp Month at HMC. Each week will feature a focus on a different avenue of camp ministry. If you’re not longing for summer yet, this will really get you in the mood! Today we welcome Dan Chester from Stayner Camp. Be sure to visit the table in the foyer after the service to learn more.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our chilli cook-off last week. What a great response! We’ll be announcing the winners this morning so stay turned!

HMC EVENTS

Young at Heart is celebrating March with a performance by The Silver Threads Choir from Durham. Grab your ticket for the hot luncheon in the foyer and come out on Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m. for a great time of fellowship, music, and food.

Please join us for a Worship & Prayer Night on Monday, March 23. 7-8 p.m.

There will be an important congregational meeting on Sunday, March 29. Stay tuned for more details.

We’re planning a complimentary continental breakfast on Easter Sunday (April 12) so plan to come early that morning to enjoy some fruit and baked goods – stay tuned for more details.

OPPORTUNITIES

Theresa Marsden has been handling the Large Print Daily Bread ministry for years and is ready to pass the torch. If you’re interested in helping, connect with the office to learn what is involved.

An adult helper is needed in the preschool place on the last Sunday of each month. If you’re willing to volunteer, please talk to Marie Bezeau.

Moms and Tots still needs more adult volunteers to help with childcare on Wednesday mornings. Connect with Alicia DeVisser if you can help.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for Vern Dyck who has suffered a small stroke while travelling in the US. Please pray for both he and Holly as they navigate treatment in another country and as they make arrangements to come home.

OTHER EVENTS

The Hanover Ministerial 2020 Lenten Service & Lunch series is happening on Wednesdays at noon at St. Matthews Lutheran until April 1. A freewill offering is collected at each event in support of Light on Main, Hanover & Area Refugee Committee, and Hope Grey-Bruce Community.

There is a Promise Keepers Men’s Conference in Owen Sound on Saturday, March 28. Please connect with Paul Nelson if you’re interested in attending.

ENGAGE WITH SCRIPTURE

It’s the perfect time to set a goal to dive into scripture. Pastor Kristina is inviting you to join her on a daily Bible reading plan. Go to shorter.at/ehnZ8 to accept her invitation to The Bible Project.

ONE TO ONE – Our goal at HMC is to be generations who follow Jesus together and one way we want to do that is through a “one to one” reading plan. Those who sign up will be matched with one other person in a different age group and given a short reading plan to read throughout the week. You will then be able to spend 10-20 minutes once a week with the person you are paired with to talk about what you read and discuss what you are learning. This will be a short term commitment with the chance to make it a long term one. Will you commit to trying this out for a couple of months and seeing what God does? Pick up a form at the Welcome Centre or chat with Pastor Kristina for more information.

BRANCHING OUT

Our Warming Centre runs every Thursday from noon to 2:00, providing a place for those in need of warmth and company to enjoy a hot bowl of soup and friendly conversation. We are accepting donations of non-perishable food items that can be handed out to those who attend. These items can be dropped off by the main office in the foyer. Also needed are donations of bars of soap and small bottles of shampoo, as well as knitted goods. As the weather is colder these days, we are very low on gloves and mitts. We appreciate your support and selfless giving to this ministry! If you’d like to volunteer for this great ministry opportunity, whether it’s to hang out with our guests, to serve or clean up, or to make soup, please connect with Marcia Burt.

Hanover Heights is still looking for donations of small hats, socks, and gloves/mittens that can be distributed to children who don’t have the necessary means to stay warm. These items can be dropped off outside the main office.