Easter 2020
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:12-13 (NIV)
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Wow! Here we are in the midst of a Lent and Easter season the likes of which we have never encountered before. This global pandemic has, quite literally, turned the world, and our worlds, upside down.
Early on in this trying time, I was led back to the verse above. It has become my focus, and also my goal! Especially as our daily lives have been upturned and our routines not so routine for now. We as believers in Christ, and everything that Christ represents for us must strive to take up the commands in these verses.
No matter how drastically this current affliction has affected us personally, and as the church, we are called to be hopeful, we are called to prayer, we are called to help one another, and we are called to share Christ’s hospitality with others.
Never forget, we are children of the Living God! We serve a living Savior, Christ the Lord! Remembering the affliction that Christ endured for each of us as he journeyed to the cross, we give thanks for the gift of salvation and eternal life the work of the cross completed.
We will persevere, we will be victorious over this virus, and through this journey we will come to appreciate the simpler things in life once again. In this period of “time out” may we reflect on what is truly important and most meaningful in our everyday lives. May we continue to be creative in our day to day new routines, may we continue to seek new and different ways to be the church, may we continue to love, pray, and care for one another, even from a distance of six feet or greater! I am grateful for our use of technology that continues to expand to keep us connected, I am grateful for the servants who continue to make worship possible, I am grateful for each one of you. I miss you.
We will be back together again in person, and what a glorious time that will be! Until then, we will be together through every opportunity that presents itself.
We will worship together online on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. It will be different, it will be new, it will be a bit strange, but it will be worship!
So, for now, be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with those who are in need, and practice hospitality!
God is good! God is faithful! God is with us!
Keep the faith, be blessed, and continue to be a blessing!
In Christ’s amazing love,
Pastor Kevin