As most of you are aware, COVID-19 continues to have an impact around the world and closer to home. And, until about an hour ago, we were planning to go ahead with our service with significant adjustments. But then I received a call from the manager at Kennicott Park informing me that the facility will be closed at least through Monday. So, it's time for Plan B!
Instead of meeting together, on Sunday I hope you'll tune into a livestream video from our church Facebook page. We'll have a time of prayer, some important announcements, and Valeri Chow-Tao will preach the third part of our sermon series. While I truly believe we could have safely gathered for worship - and thanks to all of the leaders who were ready to ensure a safe, hygienic environment - it seems that we have the opportunity to try something new!
The next few weeks will continue to be unpredictable. And while most of us haven't experienced anything quite like this, I take great comfort in knowing that there have been many, many Christians who have. During an epidemic that ravaged the Roman Empire in the third century, Bishop Dionysius wrote about how many Christians responded. "Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ, and with them departed this life serenely happy; for they were infected by others with the disease, drawing on themselves the sickness of their neighbors and cheerfully accepting their pain." (Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity) While our circumstances are different and we'll each have to discern how best to express Christ's love in these days, we too can join the saints across time and place who've placed their faith in God and moved forward with courage and compassion.
Here's something I wrote in my book that came to mind when I realized we won't be together on Sunday.
The church exists beyond its corporate worship; each week we are sent into the world as ambassadors of the reconciliation won for the universe through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The fact that we are sent as individuals and families in no way diminishes the objective reality of our koinonia [fellowship]. Members of a church remain in fellowship with Christ and one another even when we are not together in person.
I hope you'll tune in this Sunday. Even though we won't be together in-person, I absolutely believe that God has a word for our community for such a time as this!
- Pastor David
PS If there are any ways we can be helpful to you during these unpredictable days, please let me know.
