These are challenging times to be sure. Many are turning inward as a result, but instead we feel God’s pull to turn outward to others and upwards to God. We believe we are called to shine the light of Christ. John 1:5 says the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
During these challenging times, we ask you to join us in the 4 “fors” of Light:
“For” Health “For” Fellowship “For” Worship “For” Service
“For” Health: The First ”for” is for health.
For the health of our community, we will be closing and suspending down most of our on campus ministries, excluding Alcohol Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous because those ministries are about health.
The rest of our ministries will be creative and virtual or online so as to keep everyone safe and healthy.
“For” Fellowship: The second “for” is for fellowship,
For fellowship, the Chapel will be open Monday through Friday 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. For you and or a friend to come in for personal prayer.
Also for fellowship, your staff will be sharing a daily devotional centered in scripture and inspiration via email and Facebook.
Lastly, because of the success of Karen Katamay’s Wednesday Bible Study we will be offering the class online via “Zoom.” (call the office for instructions if you are interested.
“For” Worship: The third “for” is for worship
Starting this Saturday, March 21 at 5 p.m., we invite you, your family and all in your household to join us for worship online. We ask that you prepare bread and wine ahead of time so that you and we can commune together. If Saturday is inconvenient, the worship will be uploaded for you to join as a convenient time for you and yours. Obviously our Lord Jesus and His Church are bigger than time and space. We will continue Saturday online worship through March.
“For” Service: Our Fourth “for” is for Kindness
We ask that you share kindness with your neighbors in your apartment or your block. A kindness card will soon be up on our website that you can print off and share along with some act of kindness/generosity with the people who live near you. Maybe offering to shop for a limited mobility neighbor, maybe it could be a food gift card for a family with kids. Be creative! Shine light in the darkness…
Kindness also includes giving. As many activities become scaled back or postponed, ministries, outreaches and salaries continue. We ask that you remain generous. Many people in our community will suffer emotionally financially and spiritually. As the rest of the world plans to scale back and turn inward, we ask you to remain turn upward and outward. Please stay true to your financial support. Your Church and the world’s hurting need you and us, now more than ever. Remain generous.
As my friend, Jeff Marian likes to say, “God is Large and In Charge.” The world needs us to shine brighter in these dark times. We will get through this. In fact, I think we will be better because of the struggles.
I close with Romans 5, “We rejoice in our sufferings, because suffering produces, endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint.”
