Good Thursday afternoon, beloved EMC family!
It has been a dismal rainy week weather-wise, but the joy of the Lord does not depend on the forecast. Because of all that God has done for us in Christ, and through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, we can have a gladness in our hearts that is not dependent on external circumstances. May you know the joy of the Lord this day, and may it be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10)!
I know many of you have been waiting to hear the status of worship for this Sunday. After much prayer and deliberation, the Board of Stewards and I have decided to not open up the worship service to the congregation this Sunday. I know for many this news comes as a disappointment, but we feel that the time is not yet right to resume gathering en masse. The plan at the moment is to hold an outdoor worship service next Sunday, May 31st (Pentecost), and then evaluate what to do each week moving forward. Because this whole pandemic is unprecedented for us, so much is still unknown, and the situation is not static but constantly changing, it would be unwise to try to forecast too far into the future. But here are some things I can say with certainty:
- The life and ministry of EMC will continue. Hebrews 10:25 says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” We will continue to “gather” around the ministry of the word online, as well as in small groups in each other’s homes (Phase 2 lifts the stay at home order!). We will continue to remember that the church is not a building, but a people who are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, the Body of Christ. Let us continue to live out life in the Body in whatever form that takes during this temporary time of being physically distant from one another.
- We have a comprehensive plan in place for easing back into corporate worship when the time is right. But be prepared for a prolonged season of “not normal.” It’s not as if suddenly we will all come back and resume like nothing has happened. We will have to ease back into gathering en masse in a way that takes into consideration the social distancing directives and recommendations of public health officials. Remember: We all bring different perspectives and convictions to this situation, so patience, forbearance, and humility–all out of self-giving love for one another–will be of the utmost importance in the weeks and months ahead. Worship services in person may be very different for some time, and the discomfort of change is something we all must prepare ourselves for.
- There will never be a time where there is zero risk in gathering together. If not COVID-19, it will be something else. We can’t just forsake meeting in person forever because of fear of some sort of illness. During a global pandemic, there is great wisdom in taking precautions and erring on the side of caution, but at some point we will have to determine that whatever risk we face is acceptable, at which point we will face that risk with equal parts boldness and vigilance. Again, I cannot say when that exact time is or what metrics will be required, only that we will prayerfully take each week as it comes and make our best, most informed decisions at that time.
I think this goes without saying, but I have not arrived at this decision lightly. I feel the great weight of making the right call. My request is that you continue to pray for the Lord’s wisdom and direction in all of this and that he would continue producing his unity among our fellowship.
I will give the Apostle Paul the final word in this update. Please join us Sunday online for worship at 10 am. Don’t let the weariness of looking at a screen cause you to forsake participation in the praise of God and the proclamation of his word. I will see you then.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:14-17)
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