“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?  And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard?  And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Romans 10:14

Miguel, co-director of Adelante Ministries, oversees video and sound during recordings

Social distancing has been a new way of living for everyone around the world for the past month.  For churches like San Pablo Lutheran Church, it has been a steep learning curve as they figured out how to continue with Holy Week services without being able to gather physically within the church building.

With the help of Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM), San Pablo has been devoted in making their worship services, both in English and Spanish, accessible through Facebook and YouTube.  Thanks to the LWML Grant received to further grow YLM’s Adelante Ministry, it has been possible to help San Pablo with this transition.

“The grant and timing has been a God-send,” Rev. Stephen Heimer, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church and member of Mariachi San Pablo, shared in an email to the LWML Vice President of Gospel Outreach, “Having the needed equipment to share worship services online was an answer to a need we didn’t know we would have when it was purchased for online music classes and recording/live-streaming music sessions.”

Thanks to the outreach objectives of the LWML grant, this crucial need to offer spiritual guidance, encouragement, and support through the current means available is being met as online devotions, hymns, and music classes are being offered along with online worship services.

Lighting was donated by a supporter, while the recording equipment, both sound and digital, were purchased with LWML grant money for the music ministry

Elder of San Pablo reads for the Spanish worship services

“It’s not only for the members of San Pablo,” Rev Dr. Karl Heimer, pastor of San Pablo and YLM’s CEO shared in between services, “Our mission-churches in Mexico are also under government mandate not to gather.  Thanks to the accessibility of technology, their church leaders have been connecting their members to our Spanish online worship services.  During difficult times, it is crucial for people to be able to turn to God and worship as a body, even if we’re not all physically together.”

With a small group of helpers, always less than ten, worship services are pre-recorded for the purpose of editing and adding of hymns, readings, and liturgy text.  Many, from members to donors to out of state friends, have shared their appreciation for making the services available online.  It is a blessing to be able to worship together in spirit at a time when it cannot be done in person.

With the uncertainty of when this pandemic will resolve itself, the members and leaders of San Pablo, along with the staff of YLM, continue to trust God and work diligently to ensure the Good News of Jesus Christ, and what He’s done for us, will reach those who need to know they are loved immensely and cared for deeply.