All Sunday morning and Sunday evening student gatherings will be suspended for the next four weeks. Please read the letter below from the HCC youth team about HOW we will be doing Student Ministries for the next 4-weeks.
Students and parents,
Our campuses have been diligent and cautious in our observation of the worldwide developments of the COVID-19 virus, and the implications on our communities.
We have taken steps to ensure the safety of all our students and families.
As many of you have just been notified, all West Linn, Beaverton, and Milwaukie campuses have made the decision to suspend all gatherings over the next four weeks in accordance with Governor Brown’s decision. It is out of trust in the wisdom of our local government and in our church leadership that our student ministry will follow suit.
This means that all Sunday morning and Sunday evening youth gatherings will be suspended for the next four weeks.
We wholeheartedly believe that God is stirring up a revival among the middle schoolers and high schoolers in Milwaukie and SE Portland, and no suspension of large group gatherings can hinder your student from taking the next step in their relationship with Jesus.
We believe that hardship does not dictate if ministry still happens, but it does dictate how ministry happens.
Our posture is one of caution, responsibility for the well-being of the community, and compassion for others.
We ask that you join us in adopting this same posture in deciding how to personally respond to the current situation. We aim to be cautious but not fearful, trusting in the Lord and acting responsibly.
Psalm 46v1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
John 14v26 “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
It is in a season like this that we get to put our God to the test as we put our faith in Him.
We are praying specifically for your students, and we eagerly anticipate the unique way that God is going to speak to them in this season.
Please let me know if you have any questions at all, and if there is anything we can do as a church body to support you. Stay tuned in the following days for updates on what to expect as we continue to format Middle School and High School gatherings to online.
Hope City Students
Stay tuned next week for video message, audio, and other resources in our current series!
Please don’t hesitate to contact our Youth Team with any questions or prayer requests via email.
Jake at JakeV@hopecitypdx.com or Chrissy at ChrissyD@hopecitypdx.com
Questions for This Week (5/17)
READ Genesis 1:26-30
God appoints humans as his representatives to rule the world on his behalf. The image of God consists of male and female together ruling in unity over all of creation. This is a bold vision of human identity and responsibility.
- Who is created in God’s image?
- What does that mean for how you view yourself and others?
- What does that mean for how you live?
- What do you think it says about God that he invites humans to rule with him?
READ Colossians 1:13-20 and Colossians 3:8-13
In these passages, Paul identifies Jesus as “the image of the invisible God,” who is the real king of creation that humbled himself to die on our behalf (1:13-20). Paul also writes that Jesus’ followers are being “renewed...in the image of the creator” (3:8-13), which results in compassion, kindness, humility, and other godly qualities.
- What do you resonate with most when you read these passages?
Student Devotional
Use these devotionals as a tool to start every day with hope and encouragement.