Well, we’ve come back together cautiously for 3 weeks now – with our 4th week approaching on July 5th! I like God’s promise given to the prophet Isaiah as it speaks to our own journey back together. WE DON’T KNOW THE WAY – WE CAN’T SEE WHERE WE ARE GOING – WE NEED TO DEPEND UPON THE LORD AS WE JOURNEY THROUGH AN ‘UNKOWN COUNTRY’ – WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHO IS RIGHT THERE WITH US ON THIS JOURNEY, NEVER LEAVING US EVEN FOR A MINUTE!
The journey continues. Our video services have been amazing. The outdoor chapel 8:30 service has been received well – as has the 10:00 am in-person service even with all the restrictions. Music through voices, bells and instruments continue to bless our worship. Our youth had a great gathering. Our children have been engaged through some story time and through the “Virtual Mystery Box”. Community meals have been distributed and we have continued our mission support. Giving is down, but we still have been able to move ahead without any cutbacks – AND ONLINE GIVING IS AVAILABLE NOW! Contact has been kept through phone calls and email. Session has met – virtually and in person! We continue to look into God’s Word in a variety of ways. It is still a lot of ‘unknown’ – but we are beginning to see a bit more of what is ahead of us.
Tensions are high in our nation over COVID, racism and politics. People are on edge, as once again, the ‘unknown’ is still ahead of us. When will the Pandemic be behind us – if ever? When will we be able to eradicate the evil of racism in our midst – if ever? When will politics look toward some things that can unify rather than divide us – if ever? We each have our opinions and answers to all these things – but someone else has a different answer.
Like with Isaiah – do you believe God has you by the hand? Sometimes when God leads us when we don’t know the way (which we often don’t want to admit – that we don’t know the way) it is through the pain, the deep valleys, the struggles and the letting go of self-importance that we discover the way. I believe that even in these difficult times of the ‘unknown’, God is going to get us where he wants us to be – and it probably won’t be according to our own time frame.
I’m trusting God that he won’t allow me (us) to fall in a ditch AND that he will be sticking with me ALL THE WAY! Blessings to you all – and know I’m available anytime you need me! In Jesus’ Love – Dan
SESSION APPROVED THAT WE WOULD CONTINUE IN JULY AS WE DID IN JUNE – ALL THE SAME RESTRICTIONS FOR GATHERINGS FOR WORSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND LOVE DURING THESE ‘UNKNOWN’ TIMES!