Minister’s Notes
Here we are four weeks since we first were able to meet as a congregation together in one place. Many people have been advocating in truth that the building is not the church, we are the church. But those who attend worship in a building with other Christians know how important it is to you and how much you miss it– the collective worship, the people, the singing, even the preaching. We are doing our best by having services available for you on the church Facebook page. Several get together every week and record a service. We have been doing this since Palm Sunday and will continue to do so as long as we are not permitted to meet. If you don’t do Facebook, maybe reconsider doing it just to become a friend of the church so that you can worship with First Christian. If you are not able to, there are many alternatives that will help you through the crisis on TV and internet. If you have internet become a friend of the Church.
“Not permitted to meet”. There have been many churches in the country that refused to follow the “Stay At Home” mandates and are holding services despite the government and the virus. I have noticed a few in our area doing the same thing. Let me be honest with you. The government is not persecuting the church, it is not restricting our right to worship, and it is not necessarily stopping those churches who insist on doing so. The news media is what is attacking those churches that do, not the government. It is the aforementioned reasons why we are not meeting. But foremost is your safety. Members of churches that meet have come down with the Covid 19 virus. No, it cannot be pointed that a church is where they picked it up, to be sure. But I don’t want to take that chance that any of our flock would have that happen to them especially if the only place you were together with a large meeting of people was at church. Carriers exist. They don’t know they carry it. Also, I will not be the one who tells you that the Stay At Home mandate’s exception is going to church. I wish it was that easy. I want you to do what you think you should do and what is suggested you do to keep yourself and your families safe. I will not put out temptation that would suggest doing anything otherwise. We are the church. We are in this together. We will eventually come out on the other side. We will continue to record worship services for you. We will meet again soon. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the situation until the Board of Elders Deacons feel it is safe for us to meet again.
As the old hymn from 1944 reads, “God be with you till we meet again. By His counsels guide, uphold you. With His sheep securely fold you. Till we meet at Jesus’ feet, God be with you till we meet again.” Remember to stay connected.
Be Encouraged, Ray
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