April 17, 2020
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From Pastor Lina:
The letter below is coming to you from your LBPC Council of Elders. Please prayerfully consider the challenge put before all of us. A few other things: Thank you to all of those who led and participated in the Lenten Small Groups. What a gift and blessing for our Lake B Community. We are offering another small group opportunity, beginning this Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM. Please register! Go to this link: https://lbpc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/414936 Next week you will hear from Anne Tiernan our Director of Finance and our Stewardship Committee with an update on LBPC’s finances at this point during the year. God has remained faithful! I have continued to be in prayer for all of us as God walks with us into new life! Dear Lake B Family & Friends, We trust you and your loved ones are adjusting to new and unfamiliar routines resulting from Covid-19, the disease brought on by the coronavirus. We know this isn’t easy to do, and we invite you to trust God with us in finding our way. Almost 22 million Americans have filed unemployment claims in the last few weeks. Many who work in the service industry are losing work hours and/or jobs, making everyday expenses (housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, household supplies) even less affordable. Unemployment benefits have been denied or delayed for more than 300,000 applicants in Washington State. The combination of these factors brings new uncertainties and pressures to many in our own community - our neighbors. Earlier this month, Congress approved the “CARES Act,” a stimulus package partly designed to assist those who are recently unemployed and/or are racking up unexpected expenses. Checks are going out to as many as 150 million people, not all of whom need the government’s help. That may include some of us. Could God be inviting Lake B to share some or all of these resources with our neighbors who are seeking help? If so, Lake B’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund offers one opportunity to do so. Funds are used to provide financial support for Highline area families and individuals experiencing new economic realities brought on by Covid-19. Michael Won oversees the fund on Lake B’s behalf. He reports, “Approximately 50 households so far have been served by the emergency fund. A gift to New Futures (working with five Highline area apartment complexes) provided $3,000 in assistance with utility bills and $1,250 in grocery gift cards. We’ve also been able to come alongside a large number of undocumented people referred to us by school teachers, social workers and other community workers.” You can give on Lake B’s website at https://lbpc.churchcenter.com/giving (select “Community Assistance - Covid-19”); email questions to Michael at michaelwon@LBPC.org. Or make checks payable to Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, note ‘Covid-19” in the memo line, and mail to the church at 15003 14th Ave SW ፨ Burien, WA 98166. “And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.” In the spirit of Acts 2, we hope to demonstrate our commitment and love for our neighbors. We appreciate you considering this opportunity to partner with us and the larger community, standing in financial solidarity with families and individuals - our neighbors - in the Highline community. Thanks very much! LBPC Council of Ruling Elders/Session Isaac Conver, Ruling Elder Tom Lane, Ruling Elder Kristi Lonheim, Ruling Elder Melinda Mackey O’Brien, Ruling Elder Peggy Meyer, Ruling Elder Darwin Paet, Ruling Elder Matt Pfiffner, Ruling Elder Pulemau Savusa, Ruling Elder Marty Sparks, Ruling Elder Sia Westerlund, Ruling Elder Lina Thompson, Teaching Elder/Moderator |