We will livestream the service again this Sunday. We were very encouraged at the response this last Sunday. We had 150 live logins and over 500 after the fact! And each login in may represent a couple or family, not just an individual.
I am an old dog learning new tricks, so please be patient as we learn how to worship together through virtual means. And pray that God would enable us to seek after him in these unusual and challenging circumstances.
Many of our small groups have started to gather by video or telephone conferencing for prayer or Bible study. I have been able to resurrect the Pastor’s Discipleship Class on Thursday night through Zoom. Our website is adjusted for people to post various needs for help and support and to develop a list of those willing and able to help meet those needs. We are encouraging ideas to continue to minister even when we can’t be together physically.
And remember: BUDDY CHECK! I hope every has someone they talk with each week. We can all help care for one another. If you find someone beginning to have trouble, let us know.
As of yet, we do not know of anyone in our congregation who has become sick with the virus. Before this is over we all may at least know of someone if not face it ourselves. My brother, Bill, called yesterday with the news that their daughter’s husband has come down with all the symptoms of the virus and awaits his test results. He is isolated in his own home while Kennerly tries to maintain their household of 4 young children. The effects of the virus move ever closer to home!
I put before you Psalm 46: 1-2a as our theme through this season. It will be our benediction in worship each week until this is done. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.”
Last week I passed on a devotional thought from my wife, Mary. This week I want to share with you what our oldest son, Davison, posted on Facebook last week (no pressure on the rest of our family!):
Seeing all the empty shelves and pondering over the coming weeks/months can make people who don’t typically have much anxiety (like me) start becoming fearful of change and loss. It’s so easy to find opportunities to complain and despair over the apparent loss of blessings that only ever existed because of God’s grace and mercy towards us. I’m reminded of Jonah’s ridiculous despair over the loss of the plant giving him shade. Do we do well to despair and invite fear/anger into our hearts in these times? Or should we strive to attain Job’s steadfast faith in the One who controls all destiny? “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”