It is not easy maintaining faith in these unsettling times. The patterns of daily and weekly worship are not what they used to be. Preaching to a camera is not the same as gathering together for worship and sharing our faith together. It is easier to maybe sleep in and watch (not worship) the service at a more convenient time. Unless we are disciplined, prayer and scripture time may be done later or eventually not at all. How can we care for each other as sister or brother in Christ, when we no longer gather together for Sunday School or fellowship? And will we be able to regain what we had when the barriers that separate us are no longer there?
The buzz of saws and the hammering of nails at All Saints means that one day we will be able to return to our church building, but a firm timeline for that is not yet available. What can we do while we patiently (or impatiently) wait? We will be having outdoor services starting Saturday March 13 at 5 P.M. We will offer Holy Communion. We will have time to gather. We will worship, together and online. We will not forget our prayer time with God. We will spend time in the Holy Scriptures. And when the time is right, we will, with the power of the Holy Spirit, explode in mission like the church on that first Pentecost day. We will maintain the faith and be ready for what God provides for us next.
Meanwhile, don’t ask if I am wearing shorts in that next Zoom meeting that we share.
Pastor Baker