August Pastoral Letter-We're all in this Together

Dear Friends,

As I write this, I realize this has been almost five months since the COVID quarantine began that closed the church building and for twenty Sundays we have been worshiping via livestreaming at home. 

“How long, O Lord?” we cry out with the Psalmist (Psalm 13:1). 

I think one of the most frustrating things about this time is that we do not know when the pandemic will end, or the vaccine developed, or the quarantine to end, so that we can resume our lives, including worshiping together at church.

This is not the first time that Christians have been challenged, their faith tested, their hope stretched thin.  In the first centuries, Christians suffered disease, divisions, and persecutions.  And yet, the church grew, and so did their faith.  How?

 In his letter to the church in Corinth, in no uncertain terms, Paul told them how:

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Paul calls them to be united in the same mind and purpose.  That is to say,

By working together, they would be stronger.

By working together, they would be better.

By working together, they would be blessed.

Today, even when people try to divide us along political lines—making healthy practices like mask wearing and social-distancing something that divides people and weakens our ability to fight the spread of this disease, let us remember:  We’re all in this together.

By working together, we will be stronger.

By working together, we will be better.

By working together, we will be blessed.

A few months ago, I received this recording and video from a friend and recording artist, Steve Siler founder of Music for the Soul.  Created to honor first responders, he sent it so share encouragement, comfort, and hope to everyone during this time.  Everyone involved donated their time and any proceeds generated by the song will be given to relief and recovery efforts. 

Click here to be inspired by We’re all in this together.

May God help us work, hope and pray together,

Pastor Donna