Covid19 has brought challenges to all of us with the shelter in place mandate. Despite all of this, there have been quite a few “silver linings” that have developed from it. Maybe you have been forced to learn a lot more about technology than you thought possible before. Maybe you are now ordering your groceries or restaurant pickup service on line for the first time. Maybe you are making FaceTime or Zoom calls with the kids or grandkids for the first time. Maybe you are thinking in new and creative ways how to get tasks done or avoid “cabin fever”. Maybe you have finished some long awaited chores at home, read some books, worked a jigsaw puzzle, or gone for a walk.
The Membership Committee has been meeting challenges as well. Since we had to postpone the dinner for prospective members, we have been trying to keep up with the interested church visitors, via phone calls, email, and USPS mail, depending on what contact info was available. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to show visitors what a truly loving and caring congregation we are. It’s also encouraging to see the number of people who are “doing church together” by tuning into our online services each week.
All church family members can also help themselves and others stay connected by calling another church member to say hello and ask how they are doing. Hopefully, you are already connecting with your best friends. So try calling someone whom you have greeted in church, but may not be that well acquainted with yet. You may be the best ray of sunshine they get all day! It comes with a guarantee to make your day happier, too!
Just the sight of our sanctuary can be calming. This is a view of it on 4/17/2020 (taken remotely). I added in the beautiful trio of Carol Barnes, Marijane Harvey and Sherry Johnson recorded on 7/14/19 “The Prayer with Lead Us Lord” Sager/Foster
It’s Holy Saturday and we await Easter morning and the good news that Christ is indeed risen. Easter has not been cancelled! This year’s celebration is different, no doubt, but Jesus comes and the resurrection is sure and all the alterations of life about us are but temporary. This will all pass. “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Ps. 30.5) Let’s not let our isolation and anxiety steal Easter of that joy!
A suggestion for each of us: Sunrise tomorrow, April 12, Easter morning, occurs at 7:05 AM (so says the internet gods). How about each of us rise, go out into our yards, put down our coffee, and lift our hands to the sky and shout “Alleluia!” If that’s not in your comfort zone, simply open your hands to the heavens and take a moment of silence and whisper to yourself, “Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!” God will hear both even if the neighbors don’t. It’s Easter — the day of our faith. We can all be together as the sun breaks the dawn; if not at the church, then out on the lawn. (I just made that little rhyme up!) I invite you to join me in the morning and I hope you might.
I hope that you might take a few minutes to watch our daily devotions that were offered during Holy Week. They are all available through our website. If you’ve not had a chance to view the Tenebrae service, take a few minutes to remember the drama of Good Friday and reflect on the love and grace expressed by God for us on that day. https://youtu.be/ZOaadi8KvIw
Our Easter service will premiere in the morning at 8:45. Since you will already be up — having gone out on the lawn and shouted your Alleluias! at 7:05 — pick your coffee up again, take a seat, and join us in worship at 8:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ5NaLZAMVY&feature=youtu.be
Rhonda and I hold hope that each of you will have a marvelous and meaningful Easter. I know it’s different — but this altered celebration is not all bad. Reach out to those you love and remember well God’s presence on this holy day. If you need a friend, call one. Know that on Easter new breath is breathed into our lives and the joy of God’s love in Christ Jesus is ours. We pray it be so for each of you and for our world.
I miss being in your company and seeing your faces. Care well for yourselves and for each other.
Tenebrae (Latin for “darkness”) is a liturgical service intended to impress upon the minds of worshipers the drama and sacrifice of the crucifixion of Jesus. It is characterized by gradual extinguishing of candles situated on the hearse (a 15 candle candelabra). The loud noise at the end of the service after the Christ Candle has exited signals the “closing of the book” or “the closing of the tomb.” Do watch until the very end to experience the entire service.
