Hello, my friends!
These letters are starting to feel more like field notes…all of us are navigating unfamiliar territory. Just know you aren’t alone.
Each one of us is experiencing the whole range of emotions right now. And sometimes emotions can feel like cars flying past us and we are somehow there in the middle of traffic, overwhelmed. But we can instead choose to stand on the side of the road and simply observe them. Notice them. Name them. And let them continue on past.
A little prayerful self-talk doesn’t hurt during these times. David was the master at this. In Psalm 43 he even questions his own heart,
“Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why the unease within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him,
my Savior and my God.”
Such an important exercise for us. Don’t lose heart. Your hope is secure. God remains on the throne.
Tomorrow we will celebrate church together online at 10 AM on Facebook here and Instagram live here. Those services will be recorded and available later on our website as well.
Tomorrow we’re going to take communion as part of our service together. So go find some elements and have them ready…feel free to be creative! I’m excited for us to be able to participate in the sacraments together!
Also tomorrow I will be lighting a candle at the beginning as a reminder that God is with us, in our midst. I would encourage you to have a candle ready in your home to light during the service as well. Because it is the truth. God is there, and not just in your home. In your heart! Remember that! What a comfort that God is always right there, close at hand. Always already.
I look forward to seeing you all. We’ll continue to provide something each day for your encouragement and support. Jay will continue to do a daily prayer email. Rickie is providing a Tuesday encouragement for our youth (and anyone actually). I’ll continue my Deeper Walk class at 7PM on Facebook Live. Chris is putting out a weekly worship video and Toby is doing a Family Encouragement as well. All that will be available on our website.
And I’m also considering leading a weekly discussion group for my book! I’ve wanted to do something with audio and I think it would be fun to read it live, a chapter at a time, and have an interactive session afterwards. If you’re interested you can respond to this email and I’ll keep you in the loop!
And lastly, a number of you have been asking about ways to give. Obviously not taking a morning offering is going to have a serious effect on our church finances. We also know that so many of you have been effected financially by the economic effects of the pandemic. If you are in a place to help bridge some of the financial impact to the church, just know we’d be very grateful. Giving can be done through our website here or through venmo at churchbythesea here and checks can continue to be mailed to our address at 468 Legion St.
Whew, that was a lot! I’m sure thankful for each one of you! See you tomorrow!
Jeff