UPDATED March 15, 2021:
Our Sunday services are meeting at limited capacity to provide room for social distancing. We also continue to have LIVE online worship for both services. To provide additional space for our 11:00 contemporary service, we have Real Life in the Chapel with live music and the sermon streamed in live. We ask that everyone meeting in person continue following COVID protocols.
Code Keepers has resumed for children (infants-5th grade) whose parents are participating in a Bible Study or volunteering at Lakewood on Wednesdays. Register your child HERE.
Fusion (Middle and High school Students) has also resumed. View our updated COVID protocols.
Adult Group Studies are meeting following Lakewood COVID protocols. The Gospel for Life Bible Study continues to be streamed LIVE on Facebook and Livestream.
UPWARD Sports:
Upward Basketball is finishing basketball and beginning our spring soccer season.
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January 9, 2021
Lakewood Family and Friends,
In March 2020, we began our response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We have taken this virus seriously. In response, we have purchased cutting edge cleaning equipment, provided masks and hand sanitizing stations, encouraged social distancing, checked temperatures of attendees, provided enhanced cleaning protocols, encouraged face coverings, and made other changes and adjustments as needed. We pledged to be good neighbors yet never to compromise our commitment to worship the one true God.
Since March 2020, we have consistently provided for the “gathering” of God’s people via in-person and/or quality LIVE ONLINE worship. We are thankful for our worship and technology teams for doing an excellent job keeping us connected and “gathered” together.
If you feel our IN-PERSON gathering is NOT the wisest option for you or your family, please be patient and participate LIVE ONLINE. We will be together soon.
When on our campus, we will continue to strive for serious adherence to social distancing, wearing masks when medically possible, and real time cleaning of touch surfaces and restroom facilities during Sunday mornings. You can read about our safety measures here.
Special NOTE Regarding IN-PERSON GATHERING:
The Deacon Leadership, staff, and I urge serious caution and wisdom as YOU consider participating in IN-PERSON gatherings.
For many it is wisest and best to avoid all in-person gathering events, at church or otherwise.
The staff and I support your ONLINE participation and recognize it may be your best option. As such, Lakewood is committed to continuing our high quality LIVE ONLINE services.
From the Pastor’s Heart:
I trust that you have sensed the seriousness and weightiness of these decisions since March 2020. Many of you have made similarly difficult and weighty decisions. Like you, I have been kept up late, awakened from sleep, and caused to arise well before dawn more times than I can count in recent months to process decisions and ask the Lord for help and wisdom.
The Deacon Leadership, staff, and I have done everything we know to do in the wisest way possible. I am PROUD of how our church has dealt with this challenge, and I am GRATEFUL for the invaluable counsel and advice from our medical professionals.
As you surely recognize, folks fall on EVERY part of the spectrum of appropriate Covid-19 responses. Therefore, the first thing we must all do is show grace toward one another. Let your words and actions overflow with grace, forbearing, and kindness.
As for me:
- I am serious about protecting the health and unity of this ministry, and I will do all I can toward that end.
- I will watch out for the well-being of our STAFF and their families who serve so selflessly.
- I will urge caution and discernment for you as you decide the best course of action in your life, not only with church gatherings but with any in-person gathering in which you may consider participating.
- I will pray for the peace and health of our church family and friends who face illness, anxiety, and fatigue.
- I will be mindful to especially pray for our health care and medical personnel, our first responders, and our precious senior adults.
We will continue to honor the Lord, shine the light of Jesus Christ to the world, and give God all the glory for who he is and what he does in and through us.
Thank you for your support and confidence in me.
Grace to you and peace through God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
Dr. Tyler Smiley
Senior Pastor