Our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response - A Message from Pastor Chuck
We began our Lenten journey in the wilderness with Jesus, having been reminded of our mortality on Ash Wednesday of being made from stardust and ashes. As we continue through this season of Lent, we are learning that our wilderness includes the places where we wrestle with difficult things, often being left to feel broken, injured, challenged or stressed.
As we walk through the Wilderness of the Covid-19 pandemic, we wrestle with the same feelings as well as unnamed others. We trust that God is with us in this Wilderness, and that should bring us some comfort. But we must also not forget that God calls us to be stewards of all creation – everything from the land to the animals, and especially to our fellow humans.
Our congregation is a particular cross section of the Springfield population. While some of us are in very good health, a large percentage of our active membership and friends fall into the most vulnerable demographic of those whose systems are compromised. We have a responsibility to care for everyone, especially the “least of these,” just as Christ has commanded us to do.
There are currently positive cases in Springfield. Since there are very few, if any, tests available, there is little way of knowing exactly how many are infected or perhaps carrying the virus. Officials are hopeful, but unaware of those who may be transmitting the coronavirus unknowingly.
To confront this in the best way possible, the Session met and prayerfully attended to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and decided to suspend worship and other church meetings and events until further notice. Our sacrifice of suspending worship will hopefully help “Flatten out the Curve” of the pandemic to relieve local hospitals and healthcare facilities to respond to those in critical need.
We will be holding virtual church services every Sunday via Facebook live and hope that you can join us there. You do not have to have a Facebook account to view live videos. Above all, we are a people called together by a loving, creative God. I trust that as we stay in touch with God and with each other through technology and other physically distancing but social ways, we will make it through this wilderness, with God’s help.
- Rev. Chuck Goodman
As we walk through the Wilderness of the Covid-19 pandemic, we wrestle with the same feelings as well as unnamed others. We trust that God is with us in this Wilderness, and that should bring us some comfort. But we must also not forget that God calls us to be stewards of all creation – everything from the land to the animals, and especially to our fellow humans.
Our congregation is a particular cross section of the Springfield population. While some of us are in very good health, a large percentage of our active membership and friends fall into the most vulnerable demographic of those whose systems are compromised. We have a responsibility to care for everyone, especially the “least of these,” just as Christ has commanded us to do.
There are currently positive cases in Springfield. Since there are very few, if any, tests available, there is little way of knowing exactly how many are infected or perhaps carrying the virus. Officials are hopeful, but unaware of those who may be transmitting the coronavirus unknowingly.
To confront this in the best way possible, the Session met and prayerfully attended to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and decided to suspend worship and other church meetings and events until further notice. Our sacrifice of suspending worship will hopefully help “Flatten out the Curve” of the pandemic to relieve local hospitals and healthcare facilities to respond to those in critical need.
We will be holding virtual church services every Sunday via Facebook live and hope that you can join us there. You do not have to have a Facebook account to view live videos. Above all, we are a people called together by a loving, creative God. I trust that as we stay in touch with God and with each other through technology and other physically distancing but social ways, we will make it through this wilderness, with God’s help.
- Rev. Chuck Goodman
Welcome to Hope Presbyterian Church
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Our congregation began in 1966 to worship God together through prayer and music. We encourage each other, serve God actively and faithfully, follow in the way of Jesus Christ and lean heavily upon God’s Holy Spirit.
We strive to be open minded, welcoming and inclusive because that is what we feel God’s presence requires us to be. “Hope happens here” is not an empty slogan; it is what God intends us to be inside and outside of the church building. Peace and grace to you. |
Service
Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Christian Learning Sundays at 11:15 a.m. Hope Presbyterian Church 2211 Wabash Ave. Springfield, IL 62704 217-546-6951 Visit Pastor Chuck's Corner |
Our Mission
We seek to be faithful to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ by making disciples, baptizing and teaching as Christ commanded. We seek to do what the Lord requires of us, by doing what is right, showing kindness, and walking humbly with our God.
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Welcome to Hope Presbyterian Church. You can find worship notes and links to videos of sermons here.
YouthWe care about encouraging our young people to grow into adult members of God's church. Find information about our youth programs here.
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At Hope, we integrate community service into both our church work and our everyday lives. See all the ways you can give back to the community with us.
ConnectFind out how you can participate in Hope's family or find information on how to talk to Pastor Chuck or a church official.
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