Hey there Western Hills family!

Being at our first in-person service this past Sunday brought sort of a mixture of feelings for me. On one hand it was a little surreal being back in the same room, simply because these last four to five months have felt more like a whole year’s worth of time. Actually being in the same room to worship together seemed like it was always a long ways off. There was also just all of the emotions and thoughts that we all bring with us into those places from everything going on in the world. On the other hand, it was so good to start seeing each other face-to-face, even if it was through masks. Any nerves that I had going into the service about how it would FEEL awkward or that it would FEEL sad being unable to give each other hugs or handshakes or to sit right next to good friends were quickly pushed aside when folks started showing up, chit chatting from a distance, laughing together, and worshiping together. No, it was not the same as it was just five months ago. I won’t try and convince you that it was, but it became clear that God does indeed use incredibly hard times and unexpected circumstances to bring about good. God’s goodness will shine through any circumstances if we allow ourselves to look for it.

I hope that many of you who joined us in-person had a similar experience as we worshiped together. For those of our church family that joined us online and will continue to join us online for some time, we want to make sure that you know that you are just as much a part of our worship experience as we continue meeting in-person. So if you still have hesitations and fears about venturing back into the church building, please continue to join us online and continue connecting with our WHC family via Connect Groups. Those things are not going away!

We hope that during these last few months you have gotten a glimpse of the reality that God’s presence is not contained to any building but will be worshiped and praised no matter where we find ourselves. Whether you find yourself online, at a driveway with a Connect Group, at an in-person worship service, or going about your daily routine, remember that God goes with us, and if we will allow ourselves to be aware of that reality we will be able to see God’s goodness outshine all of the uncertainty, fear, anger, fighting and disunity in the world.

As we approach this coming Sunday, a few reminders. If you plan to join us again or for the first time in-person this coming Sunday, click here to reserve your seats so that we can know how many people to plan for. If you plan to continue joining us online, we will be at the usual place and times.

I’ll close with this. I don’t know when things with the virus will calm down. I don’t know if or when the social and political unrest that is on display right now will diminish. What I do know is that for those who put their trust and their faith wholly in Jesus and the path that He paves for us, unity is possible. Unity between people who are gathering for worship in-person AND online. Unity between people from different sides of a political isle. Unity between people who look different from one another. Unity between generations. Unity between nationalities. Unity between any other lines by which the world seeks to divide itself into “Us” and “Them.” I am excited to see how the church at large can be an example of unity in these challenging times as we seek earnestly after Jesus as our one true King.

I am praying for you all and looking forward to seeing you, whether in person or online!

Blessings,

Cullen