LATEST UPDATES ON CHURCH LIFE
We’ll keep this page updated with details about online church services, Community Groups and meeting needs in our community as we respond to COVID-19
In the last week, COVID-19 has caused disruptions that have impacted nearly every area of life in all Liberty Church communities globally. As a church, our mission to be a community, not just a crowd, has perhaps never been more important than right now. Although how we do community looks different, our commitment to being a church that exists to know Jesus and make Him known is as strong as ever.
As we continue to monitor and respond to ongoing updates that affect all of our communities globally, here is the latest information about how we are operating as a church during this time:
WEEKLY CHURCH SERVICES
We’re excited to report that more than 2,000 people joined our online church services last weekend! We are committed to maintaining regular online services each week and they are a great place to experience community, worship together, and continue to grow in God’s Word. During the online service, you can connect with your community in the chat, submit prayer requests or praise reports, and give online. Soon we’ll be adding content to help you create discussions around the sermon each week. Don’t forget to bookmark the Liberty Live link for each access.
JOIN US ONLINE
SUNDAY AT:
10AM | 12PM | 2PM | 5PM EST
11AM GMT [UK SERVICE]
MONDAY AT:
7PM EST
MORE ON CHURCH LIFE
LIBERTY KIDS
Every Sunday we will update our Liberty Kids page with videos that include worship and a bible story from the same great curriculum your kids normally enjoy on Sundays during Liberty Kids. These online videos are a great way for kids to stay engaged each week with content that’s designed just for them. We hope to help you as parents to feel more equipped than ever to disciple your kids throughout this time. These resources and more are available on our Liberty Kids page.
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Community Groups are the heartbeat of our church and especially important during this time when many people have needs and may be experiencing stress or isolation. Most groups have now switched to make it possible to be part of your group online using free tools like Google Hangouts. In some instances, groups are still having smaller numbers of people gather in person, while of course observing all the necessary precautions around group size, social distancing and asking those who are unwell to join online. If you belong to a Community Group and aren’t sure if your group is meeting in person or online, contact your Community Group Leader.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Our Prayer Team is committed to interceding on your behalf through prayer during this time. You can submit prayer requests on Liberty Live or throughout the week with our online form. The Prayer Team for your community is standing by and ready to be praying for you.
CONNECTION
We’ve always said we don’t just go to church, we are the church. During this time, we encourage you to reach out to people by phone, text, FaceTime, Zoom call or whatever makes the most sense for you… and let’s BE the church.
MEETING NEEDS
We know that many in our Liberty community will be impacted financially and in other ways as a result of COVID-19. If you are in a position to help us meet needs, we have set up a Coronavirus Benevolence fund that you can contribute to online. Simply visit the Liberty Church giving page, choose your Liberty community and select “Benevolence – COVID” from the dropdown menu. All proceeds to this fund will be distributed to those most affected in our community.
Note that funds are currently being collected through Liberty Church in the US however we are assessing plans for Manzini and London also.
If you have a need, we will share more details soon about guidelines and how to apply.
More details will follow as we continue to monitor and respond to the situation. Our team is hard at work behind the scenes to create the systems and processes needed to activate our community to love well, serve well, and truly be the church wherever we are.
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
HERE’S WHAT WE’RE DOING AS A CHURCH
- TRUSTING GOD: Viral disease is a fact of biological existence and part of creation. Keeping perspective and not panicking apply here, just as they do for all risks we face as creatures in a finite world. No matter how dire circumstances get, the Lord remains our refuge and strength, “an ever-present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). To trust in the Lord amid trouble is to experience and bear witness to the power of Christ.
- PRAYING: We must pray for the sick and the scared, for public health officials, for doctors and nurses, for researchers, and for caregivers. As Christians, we believe prayer has power, so we seek help from the Lord.
- STAYING INFORMED: The media is aflame with daily updates and it’s impossible to read, absorb and respond to every news report, Tweet, or latest rumor. We’re following a reliable list of information for educational, planning and management purposes.
- CDC on COVID-19: The US Center for Disease Control’s up-to-date resources on coronavirus.
- UK government response: The UK Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England’s response to coronavirus.
- CDC Resources for Community and Faith-Based Organizations: The CDC has also created resources specifically for faith-based organizations to respond to influenza pandemic, which are applicable in this situation. As a church, we’re implementing this guidance.
- Managing Anxiety Around Coronavirus Coverage: The American Psychological Association created this resource to help manage anxiety around coverage of COVID-19.
- Addressing Mental Health Issues: This resource from the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Network provides guidelines for addressing mental health issues that may arise, and offers advice for messaging, including among children, older adults, people with disabilities, and those in quarantine.
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
- Pray for our community and those directly affected by COVID-19. Pray for the health care workers that are treating the sick and those public health administrators making difficult decisions. Pray that God would protect our community from further spread of the virus.
- Reflect Christ. In these anxious days, the church (all of us) can shine as a light of hope, care, faith, patience and prudence. We can demonstrate for the world how our faith provides true assurance against worry and fear.
- Practice recommended personal hygiene. Wash your hands frequently. Avoid contact with the sick. Stay home if you’re sick and enjoy one of our online services.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body. . . . Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”