A Special Edition for An Unusual Time
Because of adjustments we made to our worship services on Sunday, I was able to watch the beginning of CBS Sunday Morning, one of my favorite shows. It was a rerun from last year, an episode recapping highlights on the show’s 40th anniversary. Host Jane Pauley recorded an introduction where she explained the reasoning for the rerun. Changes caused by the spread of COVID-19 kept the staff from producing a new episode. Pauley began the show by welcoming viewers to “a special edition for an unusual time.”
As I prepared for our worship service an hour later, I thought, “What an apt description for the church, too!” A mostly-empty sanctuary on Sunday morning was certainly unusual. What made it special was that through the beauty of technology and the willingness of volunteers, our homes and lives were full of God’s Spirit in worship.
Peter writes to the early church in his first letter these words: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9, New King James Version).” I love how this translation describes the Church as a “special people.” Now is the time when we can truly shine the love of Christ and our trust in God.
We will continue to monitor and assess appropriate responses to COVID-19 prayerfully, thoughtfully, and without fear. Please make sure you are signed up for email, text, and social media notifications to stay informed.
Let us be God’s special edition to one another in an unusual time, giving thanks each step of the way!
all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian
Lectionary Texts for Sunday, March 22, 2020
1 Samuel 6:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
1 Samuel 6:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41