Hosanna’s Re-Gathering Plans
Recorded Message from Pastor Dennis, May 22
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
-Hebrews 10:25-
Hey Hosanna and friends!
Pastor Dennis here with an update on our plans for re-gathering. But first let me start with a headline you may have seen this week. It read something like this:
“Catholics and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod defy Governor’s Orders”
It’s a shocking headline in a couple of ways. First of all, Catholics and the LCMS joining forces?? Second, if you read the whole article, it’s not quite as reckless as it sounds.
Some of you have posted on our Facebook page, some have emailed, and others have called and asked if Hosanna is going to follow suit. As you can imagine, with a church our size it’s not that simple. So let me share a couple of things:
First of all, one of our core values at Hosanna is Unity. Unity does not mean that everyone at Hosanna has the same opinion about everything. Unity is like a choir singing the same song in harmony. Unity means different people of all ages and a variety of opinions being one in spirit and purpose.
I love how Romans 15:5-6 puts it:
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
No matter what your opinion is about what we should do regarding the Governor’s order we all agree: I am a part of Hosanna, and you are a part of Hosanna because we are passionate about one thing and one thing only–Jesus Christ and connecting as many people as possible to Him!
Second, before that headline hit the press we were already putting together plans for “Drive-In” worship, which has the blessing of the Governor and leaders of our church body. And it seems to me, Hosanna “Drive-In” worship is a perfect transition toward regathering face-to-face. The big reason I say this is because of our size.
We did the math. Based on our weekly attendance, following all the prescribed protocol on social distancing and sanitizing, to re-gather Hosanna disciples for face-to-face worship we would have to do multiple worship services in multiple locations over multiple days.
I know what you might be thinking, “Don’t we do that anyway?” Yes, but we would have to double what we already do.
Here is the plan for Hosanna’s worship services:
Part One
We will continue to provide online worship at all of our regular worship times on Wednesdays at 6:15pm, Saturdays at 5:00pm and Sundays at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00am at Hosanna Main and Sundays at 10:00am at Hosanna Highland. Please join us online through our website or Facebook page.
Part Two
Beginning the weekend of June 6 and 7, in addition to our online worship services, we will begin “Drive-In” worship at Hosanna’s Main campus. The “Drive-In” worship times will be Saturdays at 5:00pm and Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00am, and will be contemporary in style. Depending on how this goes, we may also add Sundays at 8:00am.
Watch for specific information on the “Drive-In” worship this coming week on the website, email, social media, and our app. And if you have any questions, do not hesitate to e-mail us at: info@hosanna.church
So let me close with this thought: how many of you have been to a drive-in movie? I remember as a kid every once in awhile mom and dad would take us to a drive-in movie. We would usually go in our pajamas, bring our own popcorn and pop, and dad would hang that speaker on the inside of his window. It is a great family memory for me.
I am praying this will be that same for you and your family. Think about this: we have done faith @ church, and for the past 50+ days we have been doing faith @ home. Maybe it’s time for “faith in the car.” The Lord bless you and see you soon!
In Christ,
Pastor Dennis
p.s. Please note that Sunday, May 31st will be the final Sunday Hosanna’s services will be broadcasted on KTOE.