As many of you know, the COVID-19 numbers in our county are rising again. The Shawnee County Health Department issued an emergency order that goes into effect today, Friday, November 13th that reduces the mass gathering limit to 10 people and large events not to exceed 100 people.

What do these numbers mean? The language is confusing in the order, but here is how it breaks down.  Groups of 10 or more people must wear masks and be social distanced.  Large gatherings must not exceed 100 people (with social distancing guidelines) in the same space.

What does all of this mean for Western Hills?

It means we are still going to have services on Thursday night at 6:30pm and on Sunday morning at 10:00 AM for the foreseeable future.

Both of these services take place in rooms (sanctuary and gym) that are set up for less than 100 people, and our spacing exceeds the minimum requirements of social distancing. If necessary, we could use either room as an overflow area to stream our services if necessary. All of our children’s ministry areas have less than 10 people, and we require masks.

We will continue to stream our services online for those who prefer to stay at home.

We are still helping families through COVID-19. You can financially help us continue to meet the needs of famili
es in our community by giving directly to the COVID-19 (Missions) fund here.

I know staying encouraged during this time is tough. It seems this year has just been one wave of discouragement after another. And then right when we get our feet underneath us, another wave comes in and knocks us down.

I want to encourage you to invest 10 minutes today in Psalm 103.  Here are the first two verses:

Praise the Lord, my soul. All my inmost being, praise His holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul. And forget not all his benefits –

The rest of the Psalm is listing those benefits. Now sit down with the rest of the Psalm and let those benefits wash over your soul. Repeat them out loud. Gather your family around and have every single person read one. Thank God for each of them. Write them on notecards and put them on the refrigerator.

Allow the Lord to get the last word over your soul, not our circumstances.

Grant