Three Points of Unity

All fall and into the spring, we want to make disciples who love God, love people, and live like Jesus by:

1. relaunching onsite ministry experiences at our Tacoma campus, and
2. leveraging our online campus by creating digital and relational experiences.

So, I want to take a moment and share three points of unity that are fostering a culture of care and belonging as we embrace being a church (a people!) both onsite and online.

Honor
What do you do when everybody has a preference? When it comes to wearing face coverings, each of us has feelings, reasonings, and understandings of what they do and what they mean. ...and that's normal and very much OK.

Right now, perhaps for reasons only God really knows, the State of Washington requires all people regardless of vaccination status to wear a face covering while in public spaces.

As Jesus followers, we choose to come together in unity not over our preference of wearing face coverings, but in the unity of faith which honors the authorities God has placed in our lives (Romans 13, 1 Timothy 2:2). We also choose to honor each other's preferences over our own (Philippians 2) by wearing a face covering while on-campus. If you need a mask, we have plenty onsite as you enter any of our campus facilities.

Where else do you see honor promoting unity in your life?

"Be" the Church
The unified church is seen wherever people are gathered together around God’s Word and promises - wherever they are.

Jesus followers are never satisfied with only “going” to church onsite or online - we want to “be” the church everywhere we go. That’s why most everything we do onsite can be translated into an online or at-home experience.
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For example, we worship as "be" one united church in how we worship.
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• While some people choose to experience God’s presence in their home or other location, others choose to physically gather in our Worship Center. While the environment is certainly different, the content that we share - our Jesus-rooted and Biblically-rich messages and the songs are the same wherever we find ourselves.
  

• And, if you’re at home and you crave talking with people before or after the service, jump into the chat box to the right of the video box at watch.oslc.com. Our Online Hosts are ready to connect with you and even pray for anything that might be on your heart during the service. If you want to learn more about how all that works, give Gerod a shout out at gerod@oslc.com. 

Another example of "being" the united church is Faith in Action. While the context or location of faith in action may change, you are choosing to be united as once church by living generously and living your life on mission - wherever you are... which happens onsite when people gather for a variety of service projects and can also happen right where you are - with the people in your life (even those who may not know Jesus or go to church).

• You may walk across the street to have a conversation with your widowed neighbor. That’s faith in action. 

• You may choose to head to the grocery store and pick up some extra food for a friend who is struggling or cook a meal or cookies for someone you know who is sick or recovering. That’s faith in action.

• You may write or decorate greeting cards for people you know who need encouragement - people like first responders, hospital workers, teachers, or other community leaders. That’s faith in action.

You may know something your local neighborhood needs - you can give Kristi a call or send her an email at kristi@oslc.com to figure out how best you and some friends can make things happen. That’s faith in action.

While the context or location of faith in action may change, you are choosing to be united as once church by living generously and living your life on mission - wherever you are.

One last example: We grow in unity through Youth and Adult Life Groups and Bible Studies which help you become the intergenerational body of Christ. While some groups meet onsite, others find growth opportunities in their homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and wherever else they find themselves.

• Did you know that Bible Study content, Kids ministry resources, and a bunch of other learning tools are available to help equip you to become the intergenerational body of Christ on Right Now Media?
  

• Right Now Media is our online hub for growing deeper and wider in your understanding of Jesus that you can use when you’re face-to-face, on a ZOOM call with friends, on a phone call with your grandkids, or by yourself on a device. Go ahead and reach out to Pastor Matt at pastormatt@oslc.com to learn more and get started, today!

• And - if you're looking for Kids Ministry Resources, check out oslc.com/kids.

Again, Jesus’ church is wherever people are gathered around God’s Word and promises. That’s why most everything we do onsite can be translated into an online or at-home experience - right where you are.

Care
We are united in our care for each other and our community. This unity flows from the love of Jesus who cares for each of us - right where we are.

• I believe that the absolute greatest ways to give and receive care and prayer is while you are with and among each other. This is another part of “being” the unified church everywhere we go.
  
• We have many ways where you can become equipped to use your gifts, life experiences, and compassion to make a difference in the lives of people. Whether you are healing from a divorce, having surgery, getting married, or in need of someone to pray with, we value the privilege of caring and loving others through life with you. I want to encourage you to check out oslc.com/care to learn more.

So, let's continue to be unified in honoring others, "being the church", and caring for each other as we move into October and November - onsite... online... right where we are.

I’m praying that you stay healthy and that together we continue to make disciples who love God, love people, and live like Jesus - everywhere.

Love you!