We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.[1]
 
During my seminary studies, my final project while working on my doctorate focused on stewardship.  It was a natural fit for me.  Although I had spent years as a computer programmer, my undergraduate degree was in business administration, majoring in accounting.  I ended up working for two large CPA firms early on in my career (Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen).
Over the course of my time as a pastor, one thing has remained constant.  Every congregation I have served as a pastor has struggled (at times) to make ends meet.
However, of the four appointments I’ve had, this appointment—Reinbeck United Methodist Church—has, by far, been the most financially stable.  During my brief time here, when someone in leadership has talked to me about our financial situation (usually because they’re somewhat worried) my response has been the same.  I usually smile a little, look them in the eye, and say, “Don’t be too worried.  Trust me, I’ve seen far worse!”
I want to thank you for that.  I want to thank every person who calls Reinbeck United Methodist Church their church home.  I want to thank you for your faithfulness (particularly during this time of uncertainty).  Your gifts, tithes, and offerings during a time like this speaks volumes about your faith as a community!
 
[Jesus] said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.  Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.  Of how much more value are you than the birds!  And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?[2]
 
As for our current situation…it’s difficult to say when it will all be over.  It’s equally difficult to predict when our lives will “go back to normal.”  However, I, for one, hope our lives never go back to “normal.”  Instead, I hope and pray that our lives will be changed for the better.  Now that we’ve been confronted with the obvious and undeniable fragility of life, may God help us to set our priorities straight.  May God give us the grace and humility we need to be united as a community of faith in the bond of God’s divine love—a love that’s only possible because God first chose to love us.[3]  It’s also a bond of love that can never be broken…not even by a pesky virus.
Until we meet again (treasuring the gathering of the faith community more than we ever have before) please remember:  The Church is not a building!  You are the Church!  I am the Church!  Together, we are the Church of Jesus Christ!
Brothers and sisters, I implore you to make a connection each and every day during this period of “social distancing.”  Do it safely.  Call, text, or send an email to a brother or sister in Christ.  Let us do what we can to help each other during our current trial.  Let us remind each other of the peace that is already ours in Christ![4]
            Know that you are loved and prayed for.

 In Christian Love and Affection,
Pastor Steve