*COVID-19 Correspondence 2*

Dear brothers and sisters at Westside,

As the COVID-19 pandemic escalates, we all face the pressure of fighting the battle. Even though we as pastoral staffs decided unanimously last Sunday afternoon to continue our Worship services, with the announcement of banning public gatherings of more than 50 people, we have no choice but to cancel our Sunday worship services, both CM and EM as of March 22. Perhaps some may still doubt if this is a necessary action for smaller group gathering. As responsible citizens, we do take the advice of the BC government seriously. Hopefully this can help slow down the spread of the disease and prevent community outbreak. We don’t want our country to run into situations like those in Europe. I know of several Chinese churches, some even smaller size than ours, have congregants or affiliates who are infected or in the process of being tested. Also be mindful of social distancing and personal hygiene. We need to take precautions and be prepared. But do not panic by hoarding excessive goods or food like people of this world.

At this crucial moment, it is a time of test for our faith and stewardship. Even though there is no Sunday corporate worship at this time, CM and EM worship service will be recorded and uploaded to Vimeo. We encourage all of us to be discipline and unite in worship at the same time even though we are apart. Please also set aside time to have moments of solitude and meditation as our pace may slow down. Also practice a lifestyle of worship as we know worship is not just on Sunday within a certain time frame. Though we are not gathering for worship or even as small groups, we can still live our body life. The church is not a building but God’s people. It is important that we don’t fight this battle alone. We may be isolated but not disconnected as a community. So let us be connected with one another through creative means. In the coming days, a Zoom account will be set up so that small groups can stay connected with one another online. At this point, church office will still be open until further notice. We have cancelled all regular events related to our community service and all non-essential gatherings in April are cancelled as well. If there is no absolute necessity, please try to keep social distancing and be advised not to gather at church in groups.

Let us all pray unceasingly for this crisis situation all over the world. Pray for God’s mercy and healing upon us. Pray for those who are suffering and going through trials of various sorts. Remember those who are in high risk professions. Perhaps there are some we know who need special grace. Pray for us pastoral and office staffs who need to adjust to all these upcoming changes for our worship and small groups. It is stressful and challenging when we encounter all these uncertainties. Yet it’s joyful and grateful for His grace is always enough. May all things work for the good of those who love Him. And may God’s name be glorified no matter under what situations.

(Psalms 29:10-11) The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the lord blesses his people with peace. 

Rev. Dr. Gladys Lee Tsang
Senior Pastor
Westside Baptist Church

Announcements - March 15, 2020

• Church prayer meetings are held every Sunday at 10:30am at Room F. All are encouraged and welcome to attend. 
• Please observe the hygiene practices where posters have been posted at the main entrance and the bulletin boards. 
• Monthly Bulletin has been posted on the bulletin board and the church blog. Please check out for important announcements. 
• Returning travellers from outside of Canada (including USA) and any cruise ship, and anyone living in their same household are asked to self-isolate for 14 days, meaning stay at home and avoid contact with others. For details please visit: www.vch.ca 
• In light of the recent spreading of the novel coronavirus, community ministry activities that accept drop in participation, including Synergy Drum, Praise Dance and Joyous Table Tennis Open Play, will be suspended from March 16, 2020 until further notice. 
• Vacation Bible School will be held from August 24-28, with Doris Lee as the coordinator. Participants must apply online and admitted persons will be notified. There will be subsidy program this year for 5 eligible applicants. 
• Good Friday Communion Service will be held on April 10 at 11am. The topic is Forsaken. 
• Easter Sunday worship service will be held on April 12 at 11am. 
• Please be careful not to block the fire escape passage, and keep the distance from the exterior wall of the building to 3 ft, so that the fire door can be fully opened. 
• Please move your car from the underground parking 30 minutes after worship service.

Health Information (Updated on Mar 13)

Following the recommendations of Vancouver Coastal Health, in light of the recent spreading of novel coronavirus, even though the risk to Vancouver is low, we remind everyone to follow proper hygiene etiquette during the cold & flu season. This includes:

• proper and frequent hand-washing with soap
• covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing
• wearing a mask when coughing
• avoiding shaking hands or pumping fists.
• staying home when you are sick 

Returning travellers from outside of Canada (including USA) and any cruise ship, and anyone living in their same household are asked to self-isolate for 14 days, meaning stay at home and avoid contact with others. For details please visit: www.vch.ca

Surgical masks and hand sanitizer are provided for your use as needed during church events. Thank you for your attention.

**Community Ministry Classes Cancelled**

In light of the recent spreading of the novel coronavirus, community ministry activities that accept drop in participation, including Synergy Drum, Praise Dance and Joyous Table Tennis Open Play, will be suspended from March 16, 2020 until further notice.

Health Information (Updated on Mar 11)

Following the recommendations of Vancouver Coastal Health, in light of the recent spreading of novel coronavirus, even though the risk to Vancouver is low, we remind everyone to follow proper hygiene etiquette during the cold & flu season. This includes:

• proper and frequent hand-washing with soap
• covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing
• wearing a mask when coughing
• avoiding shaking hands or pumping fists.
• staying home when you are sick 

Newly arrived travellers who have been to Mainland China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Japan and any cruise ship, and anyone living in their same household are asked to self-isolate for 14 days, meaning stay at home and avoid contact with others. For details please visit: www.vch.ca

Surgical masks and hand sanitizer are provided for your use as needed during church events. Thank you for your attention.

Announcements - March 8, 2020

• Church prayer meetings are held every Sunday at 10:30am at Room F. All are encouraged and welcome to attend. 
• Please observe the hygiene practices where posters have been posted at the main entrance and the bulletin boards.
• Monthly Bulletin has been posted on the bulletin board and the church blog. Please check out for important announcements. 
• Please be careful not to block the fire escape passage, and keep the distance from the exterior wall of the building to 3 ft, so that the fire door can be fully opened. 
• Please move your car from the underground parking 30 minutes after worship service.

Announcements - March 1, 2020

• Church prayer meetings are held every Sunday at 10:30am at Room F. All are encouraged and welcome to attend.
• Please observe the hygiene practices where posters have been posted at the main entrance and the bulletin boards. 
• Deacon board meeting will be held today at 2:30pm. 
• Daylight saving time will begin at 3:00 am on March 8 (Sunday). Please turn your clock one hour forward before going to bed on March 7 (Saturday). 
• Starting today Mark Wong will be our pastoral intern until August 31, 2020. 
• Please be careful not to block the fire escape passage, and keep the distance from the exterior wall of the building to 3 ft, so that the fire door can be fully opened. 
• Please move your car from the underground parking 30 minutes after worship service.

Announcement - February 16, 2020

• Church prayer meetings are held every Sunday at 10:30am at Room F. All are encouraged and welcome to attend. 
• Please observe the hygiene practices where posters have been posted at the main entrance and the bulletin boards. 
• Monthly Bulletin has been posted on the bulletin and the church webpage. Please check out for important announcements. 
• The church will accept Mark Wong, a Master of Divinity student at Carey Theological College, as a pastoral intern from March 1 to August 31, 2020 for 10 hours per week. 
• Ash Wednesday worship service will be held on February 26 (Wednesday) at 7:30pm. The topic is Limits. Sign up sheet has been posted on the bulletin board. 
• Please be careful not to block the fire escape passage, and keep the distance from the exterior wall of the building to 3 ft, so that the fire door can be fully opened. 
• Please move your car from the underground parking 30 minutes after worship service.

Announcements - February 9, 2020

• Church prayer meetings are held every Sunday at 10:30am at Room F. All are encouraged and welcome to attend. 
• Please observe the hygiene practices where posters have been posted at the main entrance and the bulletin boards. 
• Deacon board meeting will be held today at 2:30pm at Room A. 
• Ash Wednesday worship service will be held on February 26 (Wednesday) at 7:30pm. The topic is Limits. Sign up sheet has been posted on the bulletin board. 
• 2019 Donation receipts will be distributed right after CM worship service this Sunday and next Sunday. 
• Please be careful not to block the fire escape passage, and keep the distance from the exterior wall of the building to 3 ft, so that the fire door can be fully opened. 
• Please move your car from the underground parking 30 minutes after worship service.

Rethinking Value

2020-02-02  Value of Our Worth
2020-02-09 Value of Time
2020-02-16 Value of Wealth