From online to in person, local churches offer options

As a response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, local churches are responding, helping their congregations worship in a variety of ways, from Zoom and Facebook Live services to YouTube videos and more.

Below is a roundup of what local churches are doing to help congregations meet in faith and stay connected:

• Cedar Hills — Cedar Hills meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the chuch campus with social distancing practices being followed. Services will be online on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. To take part in one of its online services, go online to its website at cedarhillschurch.com.

First Lutheran Church — First Lutheran Church is hosting a six-week worship series online, "Beguiled by Beauty: Cultivating a Life of Contemplation and Compassion";. Downloadable resources and links to the online worship recordings can be found at firstlutheransandpoint.org/online-worship.html. If you have questions, please call 208-263-2048.

• First Presbyterian Church — Pastor Andy Kennaly and members of First Presbyterian Church of Sandpoint invite the community to Facebook LIVE events on Sundays during the summer months at 9:30 a.m. The community is invited to join the congregation virtually, live on Sundays or view the video at a time convenient for you by visiting our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/First-Presbyterian-Church-of-Sandpoint-ID-651226501675878/

Please note: out of concern for the safety of church staff, congregation members, community members, and visitors, First Presbyterian is suspending in-person worship services, public access, and group access to our facilities. The church, meeting rooms, and all facilities are closed until further notice.

For more information contact the church office at 208-263-2047 or www.fpcsandpoint.org .

• Harvest Valley Worship Center — The church, 86 Hidden Valley Road, is meeting for worship service on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Livestream is available on the church’s Facebook page at 11 a.m. The church can be found online at www.hvwc.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/harvestsandpoint.

• Holy Spirit Episcopal Church — The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane is inviting the community to join the diocese in morning prayer online. A link to the sermon can be found on the church’s Facebook page, facebook.com/ Holy Spirit Episcopal Church.

• New Life Church — New Life Church, 1925 N. Boyer, has online and in-church services for its 10 a.m. Sunday service. Go online to newlifescc.com or join the congregation on Facebook. Information: 208-263-8578 or email the church at [email protected].

• Northside Christian Fellowship — Northside Christian Fellowship, 4400 Colburn-Culver Road, has resumed its normal schedule with Sunday school starting at 9:15 a.m. and service at 10:45 a.m. Special measures will be taken to maintain recommended social distancing. Information can be found on the church’s website at www.ncfchurch.net.

• North Summit Church — Services will be held at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. (with children’s services) and at 11 a.m. For more informtation, visit the church on its website: northsummit.online.church.

• River of Life — River of Life has online services and invites all to join with the congregation on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at sandpointriveroflife.com. Service is also available online any time on the archives. Live service can also be viewed on River of Life’s Facebook page and on Instagram.

• Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene — Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene invites the community to join its congregation for its live service outdoor on the ball field at 10 a.m. or online at their convenience on Sunday afternoon. For more information, go online to sandpointnaz.org — or to the church’s Facebook page.

• Sandpoint Lifetree Cafe — Déjà vu, reincarnation, and past-life therapy will be explored at Lifetree Café on Monday, Aug. 10, at 2 p.m.

The program — titled “Reincarnation: Have You Been Here Before?” — features filmed interviews with people describing past life experiences as well as religion experts who share views about the afterlife.

“I felt I’d been places before,” one interviewee says. “I moved to London when I was 22 years old. I’d never been there before, but knew exactly where to go, even though I didn’t have a map with me. I knew all of the shortcuts to get places.”

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Lifetree Café meets at Jalapeno’s Mexican Restaurant, 314 North Second Avenue, Sandpoint.

Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual, comfortable setting. Questions about Lifetree may be directed to [email protected] or 208-304-6465.

• Sandpoint Single Adult Ministries — Sandpoint Single Adult Minities will be holding an after-church lunch at 1:30 p.m. at Willow Bay Restaurant, 520 Willow Bay Road, Priest River. If weather is good, this will be on the deck over the water of Willow Bay. Dress accordingly. Can arrange carpooling if necessary. Contact Denise if you want to carpool (208-627-3066)

• St. Joseph’s Catholic Church — The church is livestreaming all Masses and worship online at its website, st-joseph-church.net.

• Sandpoint United Methodist — Sandpoint United Methodist will worship online every Sunday until the congregation can all gather again in safety.

Services are on the Zoom platform and all are welcome to join in however you will need an invitation. Please contact Pastor Jo Dene Romeijn-Stout if you would like a link to attend the online service. Information: 208-263-4232.

• Sravasti Abbey — Sravasti Abbey, the Buddhist monastery near Newport, is broadcasting its teaching over the Abbey’s livestream channel at sravastiabbey.org or go to livestream.com/sravastiabbey. The Abbey is closed to visitors at this time.

• Victory Church — Victory Church is offering both on-site and online services. On-site services begin at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, with social distancing, sanitizer available and masks optional. A separate exit is available for those not wishing to exit through the main lobby where people congregate. Online services can be found at vbcsagle.com.

If you would like your church added to the list, send us an email at [email protected] and share the details of how you are worshiping and we’ll make sure to share them with your friends and neighbors.