Covid-19 Updates
By Lance Shumake
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May 30, 2020
First, if you are in that category described as "at risk," or if you are simply not comfortable returning to corporate worship with us yet, the online service will be live on Facebook and our website at 10am, and we hope you will join us that way. We very much miss you, but we also understand. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help. If you are coming, or thinking about coming, we want you to know some of the things we are doing to keep everyone as safe as possible. Having two services (9am and 11am) allows us to manage the crowd and keep everyone spaced out well. We have removed every other row to maintain plenty of space in front of you as well as behind you. We are asking you to sit with your family and keep approximately 6 feet in between family clusters. Masks are not required for our services, but you might see some people wearing them. Our greeting team might even be wearing masks, but we want you to know that they have big smiles on their faces underneath. We will also have masks available near the entry and plenty of sanitizer available. In addition to all this, a professional cleaning crew disinfects and cleans in between the services. During the service itself, we have made some changes to help us remain safe and feel comfortable. We aren't passing offering baskets or Lord's supper trays in this season, but we are working on safe alternatives to those elements. We want to continue to ask our members to do some things that will help us as we move forward. Your willingness to maintain social distancing and put some of your personal preferences aside during this time helps us create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable joining us for worship. Please consider how you can help us with that on this coming Sunday and in the Sundays to come as people who have been uncomfortable decide to return. Yes, it feels different. The two services, the spacing, the lack of handshakes and hugs are strange to all of us right now. But it is good to be back together. It is good to gather as the body and sing songs of gospel truth. It is good to sit together under the teaching of the Word. It is good to see each other face to face again, even when it is from a safe distance. We want to do what we can to keep everyone safe, and we want it to be encouraging for all. Thanks for your help with it all. - Pastors Lance, Ky, and Ryan
By Website Editor
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May 27, 2020
We will continue to offer online worship for the time being. Our intention in offering both online and in-person service options is so you and your family can worship where you feel most comfortable. You can read more about this, here . If you do plan to gather with us at HCA, we want you to be aware that our services will look different than they have in the past. Our heart in this is to love our neighbors as best we can by being the best citizens we can: closely following state guidelines and taking several precautions. Changes include: Two services: 9 and 11 am No childcare for the time being. Chairs will be spaced out much further than normal. Families can, of course, sit together. Please keep two chairs or a row in between family groups. No greeting time in the service. Please help us keep our environment as safe as possible by refraining from hugging, shaking hands, touching, etc. And please keep in mind the 6-feet distancing guidelines. Our greeting team will hold doors open, make sanitation supplies available, and encourage people not to linger in hallways. Announcement cards will not be available. We will not pass the Lord's Supper or offering baskets. We will have multiple doors open to encourage more spaced-out entry and exit points. All volunteers, worship team, media team, staff, and elders will be temperature tested and screened prior to building entry. Sanitation measures will be increased, including cleaning between services. Face masks are optional and will be available at the door. To best help us prevent the spread of ANY illness, we ask that you stay home if you have a temperature, are coughing, or not feeling well. If you have allergies or other systems that might present as COVID-19, we respectfully request that you also stay home. If you have been in contact with someone who has COVID, we ask that you refrain from attending a worship gathering for 14 days after the exposure. While church will look much different than we're used to, there will be people gathered together in the name of Christ. To Him be the glory.
By Lance Shumake
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May 23, 2020
If you are looking for a verse or a passage in the Bible that speaks directly to COVID-19, you probably should start in 1st or 2nd Hesitations. Of course the Bible doesn’t say anything about the pandemic in 2020. Not even if you are one of those DaVinci code disciples. We know the Bible is much more than a book of advice. It is the story of God and the revelation of the gospel. It is the Word of God. He is not only the hero of the story; He is the author as well. But the Bible has plenty to say about how we should respond to trials and tests. It has more than enough encouragement when we are dealing with anxiety or in need of comfort and peace. So we can look to the Bible to guide us through whatever we face knowing that it is God’s word. It is the source of absolute truth. It can and will inform us no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in at the moment. As we “reopen” our churches (not that they were ever actually closed) and resume our worship gatherings, how can the Scriptures guide us? Let me offer just three of the many possible ways. Hebrews 10:24–25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. We all know the phrase, “you don’t really know what you got till it’s gone.” Has that been true for you in this season? I hope so. I admit it hurt quite a bit when churches were deemed non-essential. It hurt because too many times that is exactly how we (the church) live. As if the gathering of God’s people is non-essential. Online church has been God’s provision during this time. There’s no doubt about it. More people heard the gospel on Easter Sunday this year than we can even imagine because of this crisis. Romans 8:28 has been front and center for us all. Even so, we must never forget how it felt to not be able to gather for worship as the body. We must remember the disconnect we have experienced without being able to meet face to face. And we must remember that the Scriptures tell us that gathering together as the church is essential. It always has been. It always will be. No matter what anyone else says. Let us not forsake or neglect this. Let us not put the real non-essential things in its place. Philippians 2:1–5 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus You probably have your own opinion about our current situation, and your opinion matters. Your interests are important. In fact, we are planning our service with your opinions and interests in mind. All of them. And yeah, that’s pretty tricky. Do me a favor and take a moment to read back over the passage from Philippians 2 (above). I want to make sure it sinks in, especially that last sentence (verse 5). As you interact with others this Sunday and beyond, how can you count others as more significant than yourself? How can you look to their interests instead of just your own? What about our brothers and sisters that continue worshipping at home? We have a significant number of our people that are truly at-risk to COVID-19. We have a number of families who will choose to stay home since we won’t have childcare. We have people that simply are not yet comfortable. Let’s love each other like Christ loves us. Let’s have the same attitude towards each other as Jesus did towards us. Let that truth guide us in all our interactions, our gatherings, and even in our postings. In this season and beyond. Ephesians 4:1–3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. This passage is one that we teach over at iGo Global to all of our teams. It is a concise and fitting instruction on how to treat each other as we preserve the unity we have in Christ. There are four key words that inform our approach. Humility - you might be right about all of this, but you might not; so let’s think of ourselves less. Gentleness - the strongest among us are the ones that control their strength for the sake of others; so let’s be gentle in our words and actions. Patience - there are no quick fixes to this mess; so let’s endure this trial with joy together. Forbearance - someone is probably going to get on your nerves, and you might return the favor; so let’s bear with one another for the gospel. At iGo, you probably know we are a little crazy. So we find it helpful to remember this with a perfect acronym - HGPF. Say it out loud - Higg-Puff. Let’s embrace HGPF as the body of Christ. In this season, just like any other season we want to encourage you to let the gospel inform your attitudes and the Scriptures guide your actions as we seek to bring honor and glory to His name. --Pastor Shu
July 29, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:3-4 We have everything we need for a godly life. Sentence has: 68 words 9 prepositional phrases 5 dependent clauses God called us. “By His divine power” The word here is summon Like Lazarus, come forth. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. By revealing Christ to us. “Through the knowledge of Him” Side note, ambiguity: The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We need to note that this comes to us by grace, but also that we have a part to play here. Effort is not a 4 letter word. You have no excuse for: Pornography- You have everything you need. Substance Abuse- You have everything you need. Pride- You have everything you need Laziness- You have everything you need Anger- You have everything you need. Prayer and Scripture Reading- You have everything you need. Evangelism- You have everything you need. He’ll go on to mention supplementing He has given us what we need for godliness now, and He promises us even greater things to come. We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature 2 Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature Unusual word… The “divine nature” (Theos) appears only here and in Acts where Paul addresses the Areopagus an odd work choice and would have appealed to his pagan readers. Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. Redefining what it means to become like God. Christ shared in our nature that we might share in His. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. In 1:3, it’s through the knowledge of Christ that we are called to Him. Here, we see that a fuller revelation of Christ will conform us even more fully into His likeness. How so? Purity Immortality Restoration to Eden Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, We have everything we need for a godly life. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. Purity Immortality Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable.’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. Discipleship Questions: 2 Peter 1:3 says we’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness… Do you find that verse encouraging, challenging or both? Are there any areas of your walk where you struggle to believe that you already have everything you need for success? Do you ever make excuses to yourself or others for a lack of godliness? If yes, explain. How much work does it take to live as a Christian? What does it mean that we will be “partakers in the divine nature”?
July 21, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:1-2 Peter is warning us about counterfeit teaching and false teachers The genuine gospel came from Jesus through His apostles —servant (humility and honor) —apostle (called, unique, sent) The genuine gospel is just as precious to us today —received and believed “How does someone become a Christian? One person might say, ‘Because I believe,’ and another, ‘Because God chose me.’ According to Peter, both ways of stating it are correct. On the one hand, we believe. It is a fundamental definition of a Christian that he or she is a ‘believe-er’; that he or she ‘has faith’ But Peter also knows that it is not our feeble faith that holds us close to God. It is God who does all the holding, and that is the reality behind the word received.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus —God —Savior —Christ —Lord “This fourfold description of Jesus is important because it puts him at the focal point of human history. As God, he guarantees that his words and his works cannot be replaced or revoked; as Christ, he fulfills all the Old Testament promises; as Savior, he died on the cross for our salvation in the past, present and future; and as Lord he claims the right to our individual love and obedience—notice how Peter calls him our Lord.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel transforms us as we grow in knowledge of Jesus —grace and peace multiplied Discipleship Questions: Why is false teaching so dangerous? How does remembering and focusing on the true gospel help us stand against false teaching? In what ways is the gospel just as precious to us as it was to the apostles? How do you relate to Jesus as God, Savior, Christ, and Lord? What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him?
July 16, 2025
Notes from Zach Snow's sermon on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:8-14 Why is the lion roaring? Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to be quiet…subtle…sneaky, in an attempt to “devour” Christians? I think that Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, was very intentional with his description here of the devil being a roaring lion. Went into a rabbit hole on a lion's roar…there are some spiritual applications to these: Can reach up to 114 decibels…almost as loud as a jet engine taking off They roar for social reasons (territory, create bonds, locate other members of their pride) as well as for purposes of intimidation. One of the primary purposes of the lion's roar is to strike fear in the heart of their prey. The lion will always start with a psychological advantage Fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hatred - these things can absolutely paralyse you spiritually The lion is not necessarily trying to kill you, but to destroy your faith Prayer: Be sober-minded - Have a clear and self disciplined mind - Titus 2 Exercise self control in thoughts, words, and action this is the 3rd time Peter has said this to us in 1 Peter - 1:13, 4:7 - it’s a call to remain alert and focused Being sober-minded means waging war against the things that are detrimental to the mind: fear, hatred, anxiety, depression, anger I believe these are specific things the enemy uses to derail our mental health and cause us to take our guard down Be watchful - this is the same word that Jesus used in the garden before he was arrested and crucified - this is a call to pray Prayers for others - Eph. 6:18 - Ephesians 6:18 - [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Prayers for yourself - James 1:5 - 5 j If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. So here’s the question… Do you believe in prayer? How much do you trust that God can do the things that you are not able to do? Do you trust God with the big stuff AND the small stuff? Discipleship Questions: 1.) In your personal life, what does being sober minded and watchful look like to you? 2.) Who are the people who help you stand firm in your faith the most? 3.) As a CG look at each of the points of the Theology of Suffering and find Scripture to support each one of those statements: God is ALWAYS good God is ALWAYS enough God will ALWAYS love you 4.) Discuss ways that the God of all grace has restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established you.
