Church Registration No Longer Required
Lansing church no longer requires pre-registration before coming to church. We have always welcomed everyone, but now there is no longer a requirement to register.
With our socially distanced guidelines, we wanted to make sure that we didn’t overfill the sanctuary. While our attendance is doing well, the two services have alleviated the concern that the church would be too full.
We look forward to seeing you this week as we study the second coming of Christ! What a great hope we have as Christians!
News Update! Sabbath School Opens Aug. 1!
| Sabbath School Resumes August 1! The Sabbath School Council met and decided to open up Sabbath School on August 1. Both the children’s divisions and the adult divisions will begin meeting in person on that date. We have social distancing guidelines in place, and masks are required for everyone from the Primary Department on up. The Kindergarten and Cradle Roll children are not required to wear masks unless families want their child to wear them. We will have sanitizers in each room. There are some limitations on bathroom use that will be posted on the doors, and no water fountain use—we will have bottles of water available to those who need a drink. We are asking for everyone to use the main upstairs doors so we can take temperatures on everyone when they come in. The downstairs doors will remain locked. We will have social distancing markers on the floor in the lower level and one direction walk flow at the lower level. We are looking forward to seeing everyone back at Sabbath School and studying the Word of God together again! We all must be diligent in these times. Please be praying for our teachers and leaders as they make the changes necessary for safely opening our Sabbath School. —Bonnie Oatman, Sabbath School Superintendent |
Nominating Committee
| The following individuals have been selected to serve on the nominating committee. We will vote on this list during the worship service on Aug. 1. Please keep the committee in prayer as they do the important work of choosing those who will serve in church leadership roles for the next year. Megan Allen Rod Dunneback Mike Bartshe Rose Nyakundi Clinton Hansen Sheri Christie Mitch Bane Dave Christenson Keila Lounds Sara Jacokes |
Amazing Gift and Church Business Meeting
| An Amazing Gift and a Platform ProposalGod has poured out a remarkable blessing upon our church. He moved upon Reeder Pianos to donate a beautiful concert grand piano for our sanctuary. God is GOOD, all the time! In the midst of a pandemic, He is reminding us that He still holds this church in His hands!In order for this piano to perform optimally, Reeder Pianos recommended that we should have a wood surface on the platform rather than carpet. We will meet as a church in business session to discuss and vote on the changes that the church board recommends making to our platform area before we accept this gift. The cost will be approximately $4,000, which is far less than the value of the new piano! Church Business Meeting Sunday, Aug. 2, 6:00 p.m. You may attend the meeting in person or via Zoom (online or by phone). Next week in the newsletter we will share more details about the plan and why the gift of this piano is such an amazing answer to prayer for our church’s musicians! |
Lansing Church COVID-19 Update
Pastor Phil shares several important updates regarding some changes Lansing church will be making for this coming Sabbath. See below.
Brief Summary
- The second service now starts at 11:30
- Masks are required at both services
- Special outdoor vespers at Pastor Phil’s house Sabbath evening at 6:00 PM. Please register. Click here for more information and to register.
We Are Coming Home!
June 27 – Our First Sabbath In Person
It is time to come back to church! it’s hard to believe that three months have passed since we met last. The decision to close was very hard. I love our church. I love coming together, singing and worshipping together, seeing your smiling faces, hearing what is happening in your families, watching the Lord grow us closer to him. I know these last months have been difficult. Many of you have been furloughed. Some have lost family members to COVID-19. This is a reminder that this world is not our final home. I cannot wait for heaven.
As we begin to re-open our church, things will be a little different. However, it is the same church family, the same powerful God—who will bless us as we worship.
You should feel no pressure to come back if you are at high risk of contacting COVID-19. We understand that there are those who will choose to stay home. We welcome you to continue worshipping with us over livestream.
Quick Overview of what to expect as we re-open
Reopening Date: June 27 will be our first Sabbath for in-person services in the Lansing Seventh-day Adventist Church Sanctuary.
Note: We had considered having an outdoor service for this Sabbath, but after considering all the options it seemed best to meet in the Lansing Sanctuary.
2 Worship Services: Lansing Church is temporarily moving to two worship services.
We understand that there are those who feel strongly that masks should be worn and those who feel strongly that they should not wear a mask. Two services will provide the opportunity to accommodate both groups. The first service will require face masks. The second service will not require face masks. The spacing for 6-foot social distancing between family units limits the number of people we can accommodate in our sanctuary to approximately 150.
Times of services: Will be announced early next week.
Registration: You will need to register ahead of the worship service to ensure you have a seat due to social distancing requirements.
Sabbath School: This will continue via Zoom through the month of July.
Fellowship Meals: No church fellowship meals at this time.
Prayer Meeting: This will continue via Zoom through the month of July.
Please: Take the time to read the important details in the link below.
Message from Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Dear Conference Family:
Monday, March 23. With the release of the new executive order (2020-21) by state authorities, the following is in effect from tomorrow, March 24 through April 13.
- As it pertains to the Conference office. The office will be closed from March 24 through April 13, except for employees deemed critical to support essential basic operations [Payroll, Communication, and IT—see section 4(b), 8(h,l)]. Michigan Conference administration will make a determination regarding additional personnel deemed critical to basic operations and will notify office personnel moving forward. With this in mind:
- We are adopting social distancing protocols to limit number of workers physically present at the office to what is “strictly necessary.” Staff working on premises must remain six feet from one another.
- Per the executive order, we will be increasing our ongoing standards of facility cleaning and disinfection to minimize exposure to COVID-19.
- Anyone displaying respiratory symptoms—or if contact is made with someone known or suspected of having COVID-19—are not to enter office premises.
- Churches are encouraged to practice strict caution when gathering to stream online services for their members. The Michigan Conference is leaning on the side of caution and civic responsibility, and our churches will now remain closed through April 13 (previously closed through March). As many have heard, churches in Michigan are exempted from the executive order (2020-11) that mandated against gatherings of 50 or more persons. However, this will not affect our current policy as it relates to church gatherings, except for the closure extension through April 13.
Friends, we have a unique opportunity to continue ministry at this time through social media, phone calls, FaceTime, and other digital resources. Now is the time to get creative and do everything we can to meet the needs of our members and community.
Message from the Pastor
“I saw that we should not put off the coming of the Lord. Said the angel: ‘Prepare, prepare, for what is coming upon the earth. Let your works correspond with your faith.’” — Testimonies, Vol. 1, pg. 123.2
Quick Points:
- Sabbath School: The SS departments are working gon plans to bring your SS class to your living room.
- Church: Don’t miss the Livestream worship service. Every Sabbath at 10:50 AM. >>Click Here
- Tithes and Offering: Online here. Thank you for your faithfulness. >>Return Here
- Staying Connected in Small Groups: Every member connected with every member. Coming soon.
- Leaders of Small Groups Needed: Please sign up if you are willing to serve. >>Sign-up Here
- Personal Ministry and Health Evangelism: Are working on creative ways to reach our community. More to come.
- Lansing Church Townhall Meeting: this Sabbath evening at 6:30 pm. See below for how to join.
Dear Church Family,
“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” – Luke 21:28.
I’ve been meditating on Psalms 91 in my personal time. What promises we have. Such verses will become increasingly precious as crises escalate.
Important Church Changes
Governor Whitmer has banned meetings of 50 or more people. The directed all churches to move entirely to live stream, with no in-person worship services. This impacts how we have traditionally worshipped as a community. There are three things that are weighing heavily on me during these changes:
- That these events draw us closer to Jesus.
- That we stay closely connected to better care for each other.
- That we take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to minister to our community in safe and appropriate ways.
Draw Closer to Jesus:
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
— James 4:8
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
— John 15:7
Take time to read your Bible and spend much time in prayer. Learn to “wrestle with God” in prayer. Discover the peace and assurance He provides.
Stay Closely Connected
1. Worshipping together.
Sabbath School: The SS departments are working gon plans to bring your SS class to your living room.:
Church: Don’t miss the Livestream worship service. Every Sabbath at 10:50 AM.
Tithes and Offering: Online here. Thank you for your faithfulness.
2. Staying in Contact and ministering to needs: The Bible has already given us a system by which we can stay connected, even if we are separated. We find it in the book of Exodus, chapter 18. The idea is simple. The entire church membership is connected in small, manageable groups. Each level is connected to the next, keeping us in close contact.
What we need: Approximately 35 people who will volunteer to keep in touch with 10 people (this includes everyone in a family. For example, 1 family of 5, would count as 5 people). If the Lord lays this burden on your heart, please sign up HERE:
3. Intentionality: This is one of the most important aspects of staying together. Be intentional about reaching out. Don’t wait for someone to call you. Call them.
To help with these areas, the pastoral team is working on a new website that should be rolled out in the next week or so.
Minister to our Community:
People are asking a lot of questions. Some are afraid. Many are stuck at home, with little to do. Personal Ministries and Health Ministries are exploring different options for our church to safely reach out to our community. Stay tuned for updates and ways that you can be a part of this.
Lansing Church Townhall Meeting:
A lot has changed over the last couple of weeks. It’s good for us to process this as a church. Find log-in information below. You can call in or join via zoom. Look forward to speaking with each of you tomorrow evening.
Time: Mar 21, 2020 06:30 PM America/Detroit
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/215599813?pwd=eHp6UWtWZzJQcVJZMTJOS1FoMVBPdz09
Meeting ID: 215 599 813
Password: 1844
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,215599813# US (New York)
+13126266799,,215599813# US (Chicago)
3/18/2020 Prayer Meeting Update
Church prayer meeting. We will be having prayer meeting in the church. However, we will only be able to have 50 people join us. Any additional will need to pray from home. So sorry for the inconvenience, but let’s all pray together as we move forward. We are working on a Livestream solution for prayer, which will be rolled out next week.
3/17/2020 COVID-19 Update
Update regarding all activities at the Lansing Church. At the request of the government and CDC, all meetings that will have 50 or more people attending will be canceled. The Lord is going to carry our church and each of you through this critical time. Be looking for an email in the next 24-48 hours that will explain our next steps forward as a church.
Three areas that we are prayerfully considering:
- In this time, we draw very close to Jesus.
- That we stay closely connected and caring/watching out for each other even though we are physically distant.
- That we find ways to minister to our those around us who are afraid, questioning, and in need.
Stay tuned! Jesus is coming soon!
Updated: 3:46 pm 3/17/2020: Number of people able to meet has been raised from 10 to 50. I appreciate everyone’s patience, as this is a dynamic situation.
COVID-19
3/13/2020
Dear Lansing Church Family,
Out of an abundance of caution, the Lansing Seventh-day Adventist Church will transition to an online worship experience for Sabbath mornings until further notice. This decision is made out of faithfulness, not fear. We seek to be faithful in lessening the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its impact on those most at risk. We have confirmed cases of this virus in the state and Michigan and we know social distancing can have a mitigating impact on lessening the spread. We are convicted to be responsible citizens in our community.
We are promoting social distancing, not social isolation. So instead of gathering in groups with close and closed proximity, we invite you to join the congregation remotely through a video link on Sabbath morning (www.lansingadventist.org). You could host a home Sabbath School class or watch party (smaller numbers of people mean lower risk). This is also a good opportunity to reach out to people via phone, text, or email. As a church, it is important that we stay in contact with each other via means that are safe.
This situation is very fluid and dynamic. Changes may come, so for ongoing updates and more information regarding guidance for how to access our online worship programming, please visit the Lansing Seventh-day Adventist Church COVID-19 status page. You may also reach out to members of our pastoral team as usual.
We encourage everyone to cooperate with the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and the Michigan Department of Public Health. Our prayer is that these choices will mean a greater well being to the general public sooner rather than later. And we can get back to the community the way we prefer, face to face.
Finally, remember the promises: “Luke 21:28, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Psalms 118:6, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
Be Well.
Your Lansing Seventh-day Adventist Church Board and Pastoral Team
Latest Updates
Worship with us online, every Sabbath.
Prayer Meeting is Livestream only:
All other in-person church activities are either being live-streamed or canceled. Please contact the head of your department for information.
Community Services: Open—minimal staff—no direct interaction with the public.