God Continues to Write His Story

In this time of social isolation, the church isn’t growing weaker… it’s growing stronger.

As the State of Washington “stays home + stays healthy”, the story of Jesus’ rule and reign continues to play out in real time through His church.

Our Backpacks 4 Kids program and our Abundance Garden continue to respond to the economically disadvantaged and families in need within our local community. Both programs are both considered exempt from Monday’s Executive Order. As a result, we have created safe ways that comply with CDC recommendations for people to participate using a rotating schedule in order to provide social distancing.  With your help, we will continue to place meals and basic necessities into the hands of hundreds of local community families. If you are willing to work alone and don’t mind disinfecting your work space before you leave, you can contact Tracy Schlatter at [email protected] to view the online schedules.

Additionally, even though our Faith in Action days are suspended until we can gather again, we continue to work closely with the Franklin Pierce School District to help provide for the needs of homeless children in our area.

Winter coats of all sizes are being purchased and collected to be given away at our August Back to School Fair. You can hang onto your purchased coats until we can gather together again or make a financial donation at oslc.com/give.

We also want to celebrate that during this time of social isolation:

• A groundswell of encouragement is being shared through homemade masks, cards, notes, and care packages for those on the medical frontlines and in at-risk populations.
• Our Benevolence Fund continues to assist OSLC families with food and basic living necessities during this challenging time.
• This past Sunday, over 2,000 people experienced the power, presence, and love of Jesus in “real time” through our online worship services.
• And so far this week, we’ve seen generations - kids, students, adults, and those Young at Heart - come together to experience Biblical community in a whole new way, online.

Church, we have the promise that by God’s grace, Jesus’ power works best in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Over these past two weeks, I have heard story after story about you living life on mission. You are having spiritual conversations with your children, parents, family members, neighbors, and friends that are helping them find their way back to Jesus. Life Groups are seeking each other out, sharing stories of your hope in Jesus, and bonding in ways we’ve never seen before. Many of you have come together to generously give your time, skills, relationships, and finances to those in need, many times beyond your means.

In these times of social isolation, Jesus’ church isn’t growing weaker… it’s growing stronger.

So, I want to say, “I’m proud of you” and “keep it up”. God is using you to write His greater story in this very moment.

It’s a story of hope in the middle of uncertainty. A story of deep community found in isolation. A story of trust in anxious times. A story of redeeming time with family, friends, and neighbors. A story of creating new spaces to connect and belong, online. A story of generosity far beyond our means. A story that future generations will tell.

A story of disciples who making disciples who love God, love people, and live like Jesus.

Love you more than you know. -pt