OUR RESPONSE
TO COVID-19

Palm Sunday
From where we sit, a King ought to ride in on a white horse and eliminate pandemics and poverty. People of 2,000 years ago, thought a King ought to ride in on a white horse and drive out Roman occupation. So when Jesus entered Jerusalem, they waved their palms in wild expectation. But He didn’t ride a white horse, he rode a humble donkey colt. It’s true now as it was then: we may not get what we want, but He is exactly what we all need. Join us this weekend as we celebrate Palm Sunday with a teaching by Chris Zarbaugh and Craig McGlassion of Clinton Twp. campus.

Taking Communion “Together”
During ‘the Last Supper,’ Jesus broke bread and shared it with his disciples as a powerful symbol of His coming sacrifice. Although we can’t share communion in person, we don’t want to miss this opportunity to remember His sacrifice as a community. So, we’re inviting you to participate in communion this weekend from your own home! If you missed Clinton Twp. Teaching Pastor Craig McGlassion’s invitation to communion on social media, watch it here. 

Good Friday & Easter Services Online
Michigan’s Executive Order, Stay Home. Stay Safe, impels us to have our Good Friday and Easter services streamed online. It’s amazing, in retrospect, how the topics for these special holiday services – chosen over five months ago – are precisely relevant to the current state of our world.

Good Friday streaming times: 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm.
Easter Sunday streaming times: 8am, 9:30am, 11am, and 12:30pm.

New on the Blog: I Am Not A Virus, From An Asian American

As our nation faces COVID-19 and the fear and uncertainty it brings, some Americans are being wrongfully targeted. In recent weeks, there have been hundreds of reported racist and xenophobic incidents against Asian Americans. Read this thought-provoking, personal blog by Teaching Pastor, Andrew Kim, and consider the challenge put forth by all Kensington’s Teaching Pastors – when we push back against racism we’re advancing the kingdom of God. Read the blog here. 

Resources for Kids
We know it’s been an adjustment at home, and we’re here for you! Our Kkids and Student Ministry staff continue to share lessons, tips, and ways to connect. Find out more  and see our Facebook posts by liking our just-for-kids Facebook page: 

Hi Kensington Family & Community—

We’re looking forward to gathering together again online this weekend for church. We will be streaming on Saturday at 5:30pm and Sunday at 9am, 11am, & 12:30pm on YouTube, Facebook, our phone app, and our website. Join us!

This weekend’s message is titled “Love is not Cancelled.” Here’s a brief summary of what is planned: Pandemics and periods of great suffering have happened throughout history. In those times, when the church was operating at its best, it was light in the darkness, hope in despair, love in times of need. We have an opportunity to love well in this unprecedented time we live in history.

On Thursday, March 12, when the spread of Coronavirus first began in Michigan, the Executive Team at Kensington Church prayerfully decided to suspend all in-person services and gatherings through the end of March. Since then, Governor Whitmer issued an Executive Order for the entire state of Michigan to “Stay Home & Stay Safe” through April 13. In following the governor’s order, Kensington will continue to suspend in-person services and gatherings through April 13, which includes our Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.

Of course Good Friday and Easter are fundamental to our faith in Jesus, so we still plan to hold online church for these two major events—the death and resurrection of our Savior. More details will be forthcoming. You won’t want to miss it!

Last weekend we had over 15,000 devices—devices!—logged in viewing our online services (assuming there may be 1, 2, 3, or more people per device). Our Kensington community continues to tell us that they’re sharing our online streaming links with their circles of friends, family, and co-workers that may never have attended church in the past. It seems that people are more receptive to it now. If you know of someone who might enjoy being a part of the online streaming community this weekend and for Easter, consider forwarding this email to them or sharing our online streams on social media.

It’s the faithful giving of our entire community that allows us to keep church going during these unprecedented times. Please consider giving so that we can continue to share Jesus’ peace in these uncertain times. Click here to give online.

And, we have tons of materials and resources for kids, middle & high schoolers, as well as small groups, care, and discipleship on our website. This is available to the community as well. All updates can be found at kensingtonchurch.org/coronavirus.

Thanks!

Hi Kensington Family & Community-

We’re looking forward to gathering together again online this weekend for church. We will be streaming on Saturday at 5:30pm and Sunday at 9am, 11am, & 12:30pm on YouTube, Facebook, our phone app, and our website. Join us!

This week, we’re rolling out a whole new way of “online church” in these times of social distancing-we’re doing our part to prevent the spread of this virus. You won’t want to miss it!

We’re hearing from more and more people who tell us that they’re sending links for our online services to their colleagues, friends, and family that may never have attended church in the past. It seems that people are more receptive to it now. If you know of someone who might enjoy being a part of the online streaming community this weekend, consider forwarding this email to them.

And, we have tons of materials and resources for kids, middle & high schoolers, as well as small groups, care, and discipleship on our website. All updates can be found atkensingtonchurch.org/coronavirus.

It’s the faithful giving of our entire community that allows us to keep church going during these unprecedented times. Please consider giving so that we can continue to share Jesus’ peace in these uncertain times. Click here to give online.

Dear Kensington Family & Community,

As we navigate these uncharted waters, we want to do our part to support you and your family in every way that we can. As your church family, we are here for you every step of the way. We’ve worked with each of our ministry leaders and staff to put together resources, ways to connect, and answers to many of your questions including updates on midweek and weekend services, Move Out opportunities, kids, middle school & high school, groups, care, discipleship, and family.

Attached are some of the ways we are working in and around our communities, as well as resources for our congregation and families to utilize. 

For the most up-to-date resources and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and this page.

DOWNLOAD RESOURCES

Kensington family and community, Even though we aren’t gathering together in person, we invite you to join us for services this weekend from your own home. Sing along with our worship team and hear a relevant and encouraging teaching. We’re streaming services on Saturday at 5:30pm, and Sunday at 9am, 11am, and 12:30pm. 

Kids & Students
Kensington’s Kkids and Student Ministry teams are working on ways to actively support your family as you adjust to a new, house-bound “normal.” Without the option of face-to-face gatherings, we are working on creative ways to share teachings, family devotionals and discussions, and to stay connected virtually. Stay tuned for more via email, video, and social media. 

Be the Church: Move Out Opportunities
We have the opportunity to bring hope to our communities and to meet the practical needs of our neighbors in this uncertain time. Kensington is currently working with our School Partners and Move Out Teams to determine the best ways to serve the most vulnerable of our neighbors. Click here to join their efforts or see ideas for reaching out in your own neighborhood and spheres of influence.

Support Our Neighbors: Giving
We’re veering from the series that we were in, “The Blessed Life” about living generously and openhandedly. And what a better way to live generously than to help the children, elderly, vulnerable and marginalized in our communities during this crisis. As a church, we are working with local organizations to provide for our community during these times. If you trust Kensington and the way that we provide support to our communities, then please consider giving so that we are able to continue making maximum impact. If you know of somewhere else that is making an impact–give there too.  

The Executive Team at Kensington Church has prayerfully decided to suspend all in-person services and gatherings starting Saturday, March 14, through the end of March – following Michigan’s recommendations regarding social distancing. Kensington Church will be streaming services in lieu of meeting in person to protect the vulnerable, the elderly and the ones who depend on us to defend them. The decision is not one of fear, but was made with wisdom, discernment and mindfulness.

Are short-term trips cancelled?
All of our short-term trips have been placed on a temporary hold. In the event this crisis is resolved in a timely manner we will work tirelessly to get these trips ready to head out as originally scheduled. If that doesn’t happen we will put plans in place to re-engage these teams at a future point in time. Please check with your team leader for more information.

Funeral Info
For inquiries about funeral services at Kensington, please call, Director of Care Initiatives, Chris Cook at  248.786.0623