Getting the most out of your online worship experience
1. Put God First Be intentional about availing yourself for the entire stream of the worship service. Seek to arrange your time that day around worshipping God alongside the church community through your online experience, rather than your other priorities. Resist the temptation to make yourself “lord” of the Lord’s Day.
2. Prepare your worship space Choose a space that is conducive for you to engage in online worship. Is it suitably quiet and tidy? Are you able to enhance the atmosphere with a lit candle or by dimming the room lights?
3. Prepare your body Physical circumstances put us in the right frame of mind. Before tuning in to the online stream, satisfy your body’s needs (eg, bathroom, hunger). Avoid snacking during the stream. While you need not be dressed in the clothes you would usually wear for Sunday service, simple actions eg, washing your face, changing into a clean shirt etc. can help you feel refreshed and ready to worship.
4. Gather together Wherever possible, gather with members of your household to worship together. The worship experience is best participated when worshippers do so together as a family.
5. Be present Whether we are participating in the church service onsite or online, our posture in worship should not differ. This is time you have set aside to connect with Christ. Resist the urge to multitask while worshipping. Close the other apps on your computer, especially instant messaging and social media. While family needs (e.g. care of infants or the elderly) are legitimate reasons for pausing the stream, do endeavor to return as soon as possible.
In line with the latest guidelines across the various governing bodies, please note that the church office will be closed from Tue, Apr 7 to Mon, May 4, and all worship services continue to be suspended until further notice.
To remain connected to one another digitally during this period, we recommend using the following platforms to set up and host an online meeting with your small group, fellowship group or committee:
In the meantime, all Pastors, Pastoral Team Staff, Admin and Support staff remain contactable via email or mobile phone. This is with the exception of urgent pastoral care or assistance that may require staff presence, with existing precautionary measures set in place.
Staff with roles that still require them to be onsite during the closure period will be given provisional allowance to fulfil any outstanding duties in the office but are to telecommute thereafter. As we deal with the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), let us do our part to be socially responsible even as we trust God in this situation.
Even as we face uncertain circumstances, let us continue in an attitude of worship, turn our hearts to God as our anchor and trust that He will see us through.
The COVID-19 situation that we are currently in has resulted in extreme anxiety in the community. For the disadvantaged and vulnerable, the anxiety they feel is even greater. Distressed and low-income families may be facing more hardship when they earn less during this time or when they lose their livelihoods. Having little to no savings will likely cause them to experience more stress and go into debt.
Many of them rely on part-time and multiple jobs to make ends meet. However, they struggle between heeding advisories to stay home and having jobs that cannot be done remotely. These families are now forced to choose between bringing food to the table and keeping themselves and their families safe.
Methodist Welfare Services aims to raise $1.35m to provide financial assistance to 1,000 low-income families for one year. These funds will support them in meeting their basic needs, and having the resources to better prepare for and handle the direct impact brought about by COVID-19 on their lives.
