Thursday, March 28, 2024
37.0°F

Community churches offer variety of worship options

| July 3, 2020 1:00 AM

As a response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, local churches are responding, helping their congregations worship in a variety of ways, from Zoom and Facebook Live services to YouTube videos and more.

Below is a roundup of what local churches are doing to help congregations meet in faith and stay connected:

• Cedar Hills — Cedar Hills meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the chuch campus with social distancing practices being followed. Services will be online on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. To take part in one of its online services, go online to its website at cedarhillschurch.com.

• First Lutheran Church — The community is invited to join First Lutheran Church for online worship July 5, 2020 for Holy Hilarity Sunday. You can find the link to the church’s YouTube channel online at https://www.firstlutheransandpoint.org/online-worship.html. It will be active after 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.

This is a long-held church tradition of celebrating Jesus’ resurrection with humor and leaning on the gift of healing, God gives through laughter, Pastor Lori said. “Usually, Holy Hilarity Sunday is held the Sunday after Easter. Since, the empty tomb announced our freedom from sin, death, and the devil, you are invited to live into your freedom as a Christian with this liturgy as a guide to your worship today.”

• First Presbyterian Church — First Presbyterian Church of Sandpoint, Fourth and Alder, is holding in-person worship services. Worship on Sundays during the summer starts at 9:30 a.m. Observing the recommended guidelines regarding social distancing involves the use of hand sanitizer and wearing face masks, which are provided if people don’t bring their own. The service is shortened to minimize direct contact. Please note: if you are at high risk, have someone in your household who is high risk, and/or you or someone in your household is not feeling well, please stay safe and stay home.

The congregation will continue to share scripture readings and Words of Witness via Facebook Live and on the church’s website. For more information contact the church office at 208-263-2047 or www.fpcsandpoint.org.

• Harvest Valley Worship Center — The church, 86 Hidden Valley Road, is meeting for worship service on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Livestream is available on the church’s Facebook page at 11 a.m. The church can be found online at www.hvwc.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/harvestsandpoint.

• Holy Spirit Episcopal Church — The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane is inviting the community to join the diocese in morning prayer online. A link to the sermon can be found on the church’s Facebook page, facebook.com/ Holy Spirit Episcopal Church.

• Lifetree Cafe — The impact of fathers on children will be examined at Lifetree Café on Monday, June 15, at 2 p.m.

The program, titled “A Father’s Power: How Dads Shape Us — for Better or Worse,” includes a filmed interview with former gang member and current father Mark DeEsparza.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Lifetree Café meets at Jalapeno’s Mexican Restaurant, 314 North Second Avenue, Sandpoint, Idaho.

Questions about Lifetree may be directed to stan@followcommunity.org or 208-304-6465.

• New Life Church (Sandpoint Christian Center) — New Life Church, 1925 N. Boyer Ave., has online and in-church services for its 10 a.m. Sunday service. Go online to newlifescc.com or join the congregation on Facebook. Information: 208-263-8578 or email the church at office.sandpointcc@gmail.com.

• Northside Christian Fellowship — Northside Christian Fellowship, 4400 Colburn-Culver Road, has resumed its normal schedule with Sunday school starting at 9:15 a.m. and service at 10:45 a.m. Special measures will be taken to maintain recommended social distancing. Information can be found on the church’s website at www.ncfchurch.net.

• North Summit Church — Services will be held at 8 a.m. with children’s services at 11 a.m. Information: northsummit.online.church.

• River of Life — River of Life has online services and invites all to join with the congregation on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at sandpointriveroflife.com. Service is also available online any time on the archives. Live service can also be viewed on River of Life’s Facebook page and on Instagram.

• Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene — Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene is not having their regular Sunday morning services. Instead the church is inviting people to join them from their homes with an online worship service.

There will be a link on the church’s website — sandpointnaz.org — and also on their Facebook page. The links will go live at 7 a.m. so that families can choose the best time of the morning to gather together for the service.

• Sandpoint Lifetree Cafe — Practical tips for living a long and well-lived life will be examined at Lifetree Café on Monday, June 29, at 2 p.m.

The program, titled “How to Live to 100: Advice From Those Who’ve Done It,” features a short film in which centenarians (people who have reached the age of 100) share their secrets for reaching the century mark.

“Commonly, aging is seen as a negative thing in today’s society,” said Lifetree Café national director, Craig Cable. “This Lifetree episode presents a different view and celebrates the benefits of achieving old age.”

Lifetree participants will be given the chance to share their opinions of what it means to age well.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Lifetree Café meets at Jalapeno’s Mexican Restaurant, 314 North Second Avenue, Sandpoint, Idaho.

Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual, comfortable setting. Questions about Lifetree may be directed to stan@followcommunity.org or 208-304-6465.

• Sandpoint Single Adult Ministries — Due to the ongoing concerns about the COVID19 virus and the resulting closures, the Sandpoint Single Adult Ministries group is canceling all events until further notice.

This includes the group’s normal Thursday evening Bible study, our First Friday celebrations and other miscellaneous activities.

The group will re-evaluate at the end of the month and notify everyone of what activities resume and when.

• St. Joseph’s Catholic Church — The church is livestreaming all Masses and worship online at its website, st-joseph-church.net.

• Sandpoint United Methodist — Sandpoint United Methodist will worship online every Sunday until the congregation can all gather again in safety. Services are on the Zoom platform and all are welcome to join in however you will need an invitation. Please contact Pastor Jo Dene Romeijn-Stout if you would like a link to attend the online service. For more information, contact Pastor Jo Dene Romeijn-Stout at 208-263-4232.

• Sravasti Abbey — Sravasti Abbey, the Buddhist monastery near Newport, is broadcasting its teaching over the Abbey’s livestream channel at sravastiabbey.org or go to livestream.com/sravastiabbey. The Abbey is closed to visitors at this time.

• Victory Church — Victory Church has moved its services online and invites the community to join them Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at vbcsagle.com.

If you would like your church added to the list, send us an email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and share the details of how you are worshiping and we’ll make sure to share them with your friends and neighbors.