March 27, 2020
The Church will Gather Online Sundays at 10:30am & Through the Week Our church's campus will remain closed and our community groups / youth groups, etc. will not meet until the regional authorities tell us it is safe for our whole community to begin to meet in person again. However, in times like these - it is important to gather together! So, we will gather online. We have some great tools to make this a good experience for the whole church. It is important that you join us online Sundays so we can spend a little time together.
Sundays:
we will gather for worship at 10:30am here liveoak.online.church
this app will allow you to interact with each other, pray together watch the sermon together
Ali (our kids director) will host a live video chat kids ministry during that same time (10:30am). Using Zoom she will be able to see and talk with the kids & they will be able to do their ministry curriculum together. More info HERE
Katie (our youth director) will also host a live video chat for our youth (6th-12th) on Sunday at 10:30am. More info HERE
There will be some technical glitches as we learn together. Make sure kids have their own device & help them get set-up. Let's all have some extra grace these first few weeks.
Mid-Week:
our kids ministry is hosting a weekly Kids Craft Corner with Ali on Zoom - details HERE
our Roots youth ministry has several meetings throughout the week on Zoom - details HERE
our community groups are scheduling Zoom meetings so they can share together
Meeting Needs During this Time:
It is important to our elders and staff team that each individual in our community is loved and cared for. Our primary goal during this time of "social distancing" that we stay CONNECTED as a family of faith.
our staff & volunteers are reaching out by phone to check-in & find out how we can pray for you - if you haven't received a call & want to talk, call Caz right now 512-553-6346
if you have a financial need, please LET US KNOW we have set up a special fund just for you
if you are feeling dis-connected, lonely, afraid, or down - we want to help you get connected and find the resources you need - please REACH OUT
Helping Others During this Time
These are extraordinary times and many of you have reached out to ask how you can help. We'll have more options to come, but right now, giving financially will have a big impact. Here are two ways:
LiveOak has committed to paying our staff through this time and we'll need you to continue giving to the ministry through your regular commitments (tithes & offering). GIVE TO GENERAL FUND
We have started a fund to help people who are struggling financially with the economic impacts of COVID-19. Through this fund we will be able to provide some immediate relief to families in need. Giving to this fund will enable us to care for each other. GIVE TO RELIEF FUND
If you haven't starting giving online, this is an excellent time to start. As always, you can also mail checks to the church at 1195 Sonny Dr, Leander, TX 78641.
March 21, 2020
Join us for church online: liveoak.online.church | Sundays 10:30am
This online church experience allows us to chat with each other, pray together, and hear from our pastor's heart live online. We have also found a way for our kids director (Ali) to host a video chat room for live kids ministry and we'll do the same for youth. This is really a chance to be together even though we cannot meet in person.
March 18, 2020 (9pm) Today Williamson County issued a statement prohibiting any gatherings of more than 10 people which will be effective through May 11. While we love gathering for worship, it is important for us to be good neighbors. Our elders met tonight and we have decided that we will only have online gatherings in compliance with the county. This means our worship gatherings will be online as well as our community groups, youth ministry and any other program of the church.
We are working on ways to stay connected as a church family during this time. For now, you will be able to join us Sundays at 10:30am for online gatherings here: liveoak.online.church
March 13, 2020 (3pm) In these days of high anxiety, we wanted you to know that our church is attempting to have a thoughtful and responsible course of action. We do not want to add to any panic in our community and at the same time it is important to take the current situation seriously. LiveOak church's plan is as follows:
We currently plan to hold regular meetings as scheduled (including Sunday services).
We are monitoring the fast changing situation and will follow recommendations of our local authorities as it pertains to public gatherings over the next several weeks.
Following the guidelines from the CDC let's do "no-touch" greetings this Sunday (no hand shaking or hugging if you can help it)
Please wash your hands (20 seconds) regularly and we will have hand sanitizer to supplement this.
Our greeters will disinfect all high touch areas throughout the morning.
Ali & the kids ministry team will disinfect the whole children's area after each service.
Communion is not scheduled for this week.
If you feel sick or are uncomfortable joining us, please stay home. We will miss you, but we understand.
Plans Going Forward
Our next communion service is scheduled for March 22 and we have ordered individually sealed communion service for that Sunday as well as Good Friday.
We are working out at plan for a quality livestream of the service in case you are not able to join us in person OR if we are asked not to gather in future weeks.
If you have a need during this time, our church family wants to help. Please reach out and let us know how we can serve.
Those Who Serve
It has been the tradition of the church for 2,000 years to care for the sick when others would not. Our faith gives us hope and security in very insecure times. God promises He will remain with us even in the darkest hours. The people of the church live that out in a present way.
We are grateful for and praying for the members of LiveOak who serve in the medical community as well as the military and first responders who are following in the way of Christ by serving our community fearlessly!
Each of us needs to check in on our neighbors & be looking for ways to help during this health crisis.