An update during this crazy time

Good day to you all, church family!
     We wanted to put together a multi-media newsletter to send to you at home, we wanted you to experience church at home. In this time of distancing, uncertainty, and fear, it is important to remember that our God is bigger than all of this and He cares for you! No matter what happens, God is with you and doesn't want you to worry. Easier said than done, I know, but worth reminding ourselves of.
     It was just a few hours ago that we were hoping to provide some way to meet this coming Sunday morning, we were thinking of running multiple services to spread our numbers out. It is really hard to think about not having our doors open when people are fearful and confused. But after conversing with a number of our church leaders and talking with local pastors in our area, we have decided not to gather for Sunday services. In fact, we have decided not to have any church meetings or events starting Friday, March 20th through Saturday, April 11th. There are two exceptions to this: 1) LBA on March 24th will be meeting and 2) any group less than ten people that want to gather (they must get permission from the Pastor Dan before meeting). I realize not everyone has the internet but most people do. We will be working hard to provide resources through Hillside's Facebook, our website and our church app. Look for video and audio sermons, worship links, and even ways you can serve during this time we are apart. We will revisit these policies as we go along. We will need to make decisions regarding Easter Sunday and beyond before long.  Please keep looking for updates and be safe. Please pray and/or fast during this time.

There are 4 ways we'd like to bring church to you, and for you to be the church: 
- Worship
- Serve
- Grow
- Give

Worship

We have begun a YouTube channel that we will be compiling worship music favorites and messages from our pastors and staff. Here is a link to our first playlist of worship music, may you find this helpful and useful for a personal time of worship.

Serve

SANITIZE THE CHURCH
Are you going stir crazy at your home? Do you need something to do? We would welcome any help sanitizing surfaces and nursery toys at the church. If you are interested in this, contact Pastor Dan.

Grow

Here are some ways to get fed:
- Listen to sermons online. Our sermons are always available on our podcast, on the web, or through our app. 
- Read a chapter of Matthew a day until Easter. 
- Pray and/or fast about the virus and other evils in the world. Pray for revival. 
A Midweek Message!
Enjoy this special message from Pastor Dan. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel (the little bell icon) as we will be posting more there as we go. 

Give

This is your friendly Hillside church secretary speaking, (I borrowed this from a friend of a friend): I am going to say it because our Pastor may not feel it to be proper. Please, if our church does not meet, it is so important that you still GIVE. Most churches, like households, are impacted greatly from a reduced income, especially if this goes on for weeks. I know some may feel that “if I didn’t experience worship then why should I give?” I just want you to know that God will honor our faithfulness.

There are several ways you can give:
- through our website: www.hillsidewc.net/online-giving.html
- through our app! (text 77977 with the message, "Hillsidewc app")
- send a check to Hillside, our address is 753 Prospect Ave, Olean, NY 14760

Don't forget we are still collecting money for a church family in need. Be sure to select that option if you give online or through the app, or to notate that in your check memo. 

When using the web or app, be sure to select one-time gift or reoccurring as you'd like, I just know that it is easy to miss that delineation if you have not used these resources before. 

I am reminded of a song I often sing to my kids:
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do.
Be faithful, be diligent, wash your hands, and pray! God is with us and He is in control. He can do ALL things!

Resting in God's hands, 
Janell Clingenpeel
your friendly Hillside church secretary