Christian churches stemmed from house churches, and in the time of persecution, churches went back to gathering for worship in houses. We are all going through a difficult time now, but now is also the opportunity to experience the true value of the spirituality that house church brings which we have practiced for many years. Our church is going to take a series of actions to deal with the current situation. Please focus on the actions’ fundamental values than the outward phenomenon that the actions bring, and please pray together. The below is the announcement on the changes in church services from the week of 3/15 to the following two weeks. I will make another announcement after two weeks are passed.
1) Korean school and after service meal: Stopped for two weeks from 3/15.
2) This coming Sunday service 3/15: Service will be prepared by the minimum number of church stewards.
a. A praise leader, a preacher, two media team leaders, two children service leaders.
b. This is to relieve the stress from church members if they choose to not come to the church. It is not to restrict them from coming to the church. Anyone is welcome to come to the church for the 3/15 Sunday service.
c. Like last week, service will be broadcasted through YouTube. If you are not physically participating at the church service, please attend the church service at home via the broadcast.
3) For two weeks from the coming week of 3/15, I suggest stopping the MokJang meetings during the week.
4) 3/22, we will turn Sunday church worship service into Sunday house church worship service. (There won’t any services at the church building)
a. Possibly 2 or 3 Mokjangs will be gathered at a house and offer Sunday worship service. However, this is for those who are capable and who are willing to gather at a house. Otherwise, you can still worship at home independently. Considering the magnitude of the issue happening nowadays, and everyone’s complex and fluent situation, I am not making any rules. Mokjas can make their own decisions in consideration of each Mokjang member’s situation.
b. However, if you are worshiping at home independently, it would be good if you can leverage the internet video conferencing and worship together with other Mokjang members.
c. I will make available the Sermon video and service bulletins online by Saturday. Please prepare your own praise, prayer and sharing at the gathering place or at home. (I planned to make available online JaHyuk Choi’s praise worship for those who need it).
d. You can decide your own worship schedule on Sunday but if possible, I suggest that we all start at 10:30AM.
e. I don’t suggest sharing any meals after the service even if you are gathering at someone’s house.
5) There will be no early morning Sunday service at 3/22.
6) Daily early morning service will continue as usual.
From pastor Choi, Jinwon