Church is not Cancelled; Church is COMMISSIONED

January 25, 2026

Grocery stores are packed. 

Neighbors are wrapping pipes.

Kids are eagerly wondering if school will be cancelled. 

Our community is busily preparing for this winter storm. It's good that we as the church pay attention to that and ask, "What would God's people do here?"

Rather than waiting to make a decision on whether or not to gather at Birnham Woods Elementary this weekend, let's embrace this cultural moment so that we can intentionally steward it well. In the words of Pastor Steve, "Don't waste a good crisis."

It's in times of uncertainty (and even crisis) that the light of Jesus shines brightly. So church... let's prepare for this storm AND prepare to shine the light!

We will NOT be gathering in-person at Birnham Woods Elementary this weekend and are postponing the Voters' Assembly & Birthday Celebration to February 8th.

Instead? We're going to use the next few days to prepare our homes and hearts to serve! Here's the plan:

• Prepare: Ensure that your own home is winterized, that you have an adequate stock of essential items, and that you have a plan for a power outage. But don’t stop there. 

• Connect: Don't waste a crisis: It's time to meet your neighbors! Knock on a door, introduce yourself, ask if they need any help winterizing, and share contact info so you can check on each other later.

• Invite: If neighbors or friends can safely get to your place on Sunday invite them over for a warm beverage and a table talk conversation hosted by Lazarus Church! The resources below are designed to equip you to host the conversation, complete with Bible reading, discussion questions, and a short devotional video that you can share over breakfast.

WORSHIP-AT-HOME RESOURCES

Table Talk Conversation Guide (Mobile)

Table Talk Conversation Guide (Print)

Video 1 | Video 2 | Song Playlist

Think inviting someone over to your home needs to be complicated? Think again. Let's lower the bar and embrace hospitality over entertaining. Entertaining comes with expectations. Hospitality is nothing more than "sharing what there is"... and it's what God's people have been doing for centuries.

Feeling stumped? Here's a quick start guide based on what you may already have in your house:

• Difficulty Level 1 - Coffee & Tea

  • Coffee & tea

  • Cream & sugar

• Difficulty Level 2 - Continental Breakfast

  • Beverages (coffee, tea, juice, and/or milk)

  • Yogurt

  • Bagels & cream cheese

  • Cereal or oatmeal (if you're feeling ambitious)

• Difficulty Level 3 - Hot Breakfast

  • Beverages (coffee, tea, juice, and/or milk)

  • Fruit

  • Pancakes, waffles, French toast casserole, or egg casserole

I’m praying for you as you share the love of Jesus with your words and actions this weekend!

Instructions and resources at LazarusChurch.com

Strategic Goal for Lazarus Church:

Become a hub for multiplying and incubating 

everyday missionaries, Gospel experiments, and future church planters.