Heights church response to COVID-19

The leadership team at the Heights is taking the health risks around the (COVID-19) pandemic very seriously. With schools closing and gatherings limited to 250 people in parts of our state, we will be keeping a close eye on emerging developments and listening closely to the suggestions of our governmental authorities.  What we will not do is panic. I am going to reiterate what I spoke about a couple of weeks ago, the early church grew rapidly not because of religion but because they loved people in the face of fear.  Jesus changed everything when he said, “ ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)

Different people are responding in different ways. At the end of the day, we all want what is best for our family and friends. Let us be gracious with one another.  Paul stated it simply when he said, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”  The reality is that some will underreact and some will overreact.  No matter our personal views, lives will be impacted physically and financially. It is our duty as Christians to bring love and compassion to our friends and neighbors.

So what can we do?  We can believe in miracles.  We can pray for those that are impacted and those who are scared.  We can call to check in with those we love. We can encourage one another in these trying times.  We can support those that are struggling to make ends meet. We can truly be the church. The church is not Sunday morning.  The Gospel is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Let our actions point people to Jesus during these trying times.

On a practical church level, we want to exercise wisdom.  We are taking precautions as we prepare to gather Sunday mornings.  We will be working diligently to ensure DAA is disinfected before and after each service. This includes our Heights Kids classrooms, toys, surfaces, coffee pots, door handles, and more. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends we each take the following precautions:

• Please STAY home if you or your children are sick, concerned you may be getting sick, or recovering from sickness. 

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

Currently, in our region the risk of being exposed to the virus is low; as we send this email, there are no confirmed cases in Spokane county. We have no immediate plans to cancel services or other group meetings—we believe it is safe to keep coming to church! We do ask as a courtesy to everyone that you stay home if you or your children are sick and practice the precautions listed above.

Also, make sure to follow the Heights on Facebook or Youtube.  We will continue to broadcast all of our services live. If you are not feeling well, you are out of town, you are immune-compromised, or feel at risk in any way we encourage you to stay home and enjoy our live services.

Please stay connected and if you have not downloaded our app please do so.  You can easily find it in the app store by searching “The Heights FC” or you can find the Android or Apple iOS versions by clicking the links.

We believe in the power of prayer and the God that heals us.

Easter Services – Drive-in Service  April 12th
Join Crossroads and The Heights as we come together as family to celebrate the Hope of Easter at our Drive-In Easter Service at the Village Cinemas in Airway Heights. Two services 9am and 11am. Bring the whole family for a great time of Hope!

Safe Families For Children– Are you interested in learning more about becoming a Safe Family for children in Airway Heights and our surrounding areas? The link below will bring you to a short form to fill out, and we will contact you! Safe Families for Children is part of an organization called Olive Crest (based in Spokane) that partners with churches like ours, and is designed to support families experiencing a need for short term childcare. Families who experience a sudden crisis situation and have no support system in place are referred to the Safe Families program, and professional caseworkers will contact our church for help in finding a host family for the child. That’s where you come in! We want to equip and train the loving and compassionate families within our church to become Host Families for children in our area. Click here to find out more!

Women’s Retreat – September 25-27
More information later

LECTIO Divina     How to reading Plan click here

1. Read a passage

2. Pick a scripture (what means something to you)

3. Talk to God about it

4. Contemplation

5. Action

Practice Lectio Divina:

1) Read (Lectio). Read the passage slowly. What words or phrases jump out at you?

2) Reflect (Meditatio) (study)  Read the passage again. What emotions does it stir up? Is there anything God is saying to you personally through the passage?

3) Respond (Oratio).(address) Read the passage again. Is there a response or action step God is inviting you to take?

4) Rest (Contemplatio) (survey). Read the passage one last time. Allow the divine reading to sink in.

Prayer: God, thank you for your Word. Reveal your Word to me.

Transform Update–  January 2020 Total Estimated Project Cost: $808,998 District Investment Request: $98,998 This proposal represents phases 1-3 of a 4 phase project. The total budget includes all labor and expenses. Phase 1 – January 2020 Budget: $356,000 Funding Sources: Savings: $238,600 IFLF: $117,400 Phase 2 – June 2020 Budget: $187,000 Funding Sources: Savings: $37,400 Pledges: $56,000 District Request: $93,600 (District Investment) Phase 3 – TBD (after sale of property) Budget: $265,998 Funding Sources: District Investment: $5,998 Private Investor: $60,000 Sale of Property: $200,000   

Transform Pledges Thank you for your generous financial 1yr pledge for the Transform Campaign. We’re touched by your support of the mission of The Heights to help people follow Jesus.  We are excited to see the Hub not only impact our church but our community and beyond. We’re inspired by your faith, knowing that God is providing through you and He’ll continue to provide to you. Your pledge amount and goal was provided on the 2nd page.  This gift can be adjusted up or down depending our your families circumstances throughout the year. Pledge time frame is June 1, 2019-June 2020. We have a few ways to help you complete your pledge:

1.    Heights app: You can choose to give cash/check gifts to the Heights with the memo reading transform pledge.   If you prefer, you can set up a recurring gift through the app. If you’d like to use the app to make your gift, please download “The Heights FC” from the app store.  Please select the category “transform 2019/2020 pledge” under giving.

2.    Website:  You can also go to Heightschurch.tv/give select the category “Transform 2019/2020 pledge.

3.    Bank payments:  The third option is to use your bank’s auto payment service, please use this address:  The Heights, PO Box 1274, Airway Heights, WA 99001. Again, this is a one year pledge and if we are going to reach our Goal of transforming the Hub by the fall of 2020 we will need everyone’s participation. If you have not pledged and would like to give please fill out this link.

Google Review Could you take a brief moment and review the Heights church on Google.  It will help our ranking when people are searching for churches in the airway heights area.  We have a community with lot’s of people coming and going. The review would only take a couple of minutes.   Open your internet browser. Follow this link to our google page Select Heights church. Scroll down until you see the Write a Review button on the bottom right side of the screen (directly to the right of the Reviews section, next to the Add a photo button). Click Write a Review. A box titled Rate and Review will pop up. You will be given the option to select a certain number of stars for the Heights and write out details of your experience(s).  Click Post after selecting a star rating (leaving a description is optional). Now you know how to leave a Google review.

Food Bank
The food bank needs volunteers for Friday’s. We need volunteers for the food bank to sort food on Mon, Wed and Fri mornings.

Kidz Zone Is On The Move! The Kidz Zone at The Heights is growing quickly! We are calling all compassionate, talented leaders from all walks of life to join us in partnering with the parents of this community to raise kids who are passionate for Jesus! Interested in serving with us? Sign Up today and a leader will reach out to you this week. Volunteers can start serving with us as early as 6th grade, so connect with us soon! Generation Heights Church Students in grades 6-12 will meet on Sundays at both services. Drop in with us as we participate in service worship and then break out for games, activities, and study. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page Generation Heights Church. For more information, or if you âre interested in serving as a leader connect with steven11titus@gmail.com.

RightNow Media gives you instant access to a vast library of Bible study videos, kids shows and training content. Access powerful Biblical video content and training any time, anywhere – for you and your family! Just emailJacob@heightschurch.tv , Jeannine@heightschurch.tv or info@heightschurch.tv and we will get you all signed up

Hikers Prayer Group Meet: Thursdays at 5:30pm in the Rusty MooseParking Lot Contact: Text Kippie at 509-993-0263 What to Expect: We hike about 1 to 1.5 hours. What you need: Shoes that can get dirty Remember: Dress for the weather. Experience Level: Ability to walk at a fast pace Ages: Adults, no dogs please.