Note to the Congregation During the Pandemic: Remember to Fellowship

Hebrews 10:24-25 

“24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

The writer of Hebrews is encouraging Christian congregations to fellowship with one another. An integral part of this fellowship was, and still is, meeting together.  As Christians we meet together at worship, in Sunday School, in bible study, on work teams, in committee meetings, or maybe we just have a fellowship meal together. Fellowship is an important Christian discipline.  We can learn a lot about God from others. The Holy Spirit works in our fellowship, leading others into our paths, and leading us into the path of others for the work and the will of God.

In times like these we have to fellowship in different ways, but we should never forget to practice fellowship.  The writer of Hebrews, if he were addressing this subject today might say, “ Let us consider how we may show love to one another and perform good deeds for one another from a distance.  Let’s postpone our meetings for now, but let’s not get out of the habit of fellowship. Continue to encourage one another and support one another through this time of trial. The day that we will meet in worship again is approaching.”

Note to the Congregation During the Pandemic: Don't Forget to Pray

Acts 1: 12-14

"12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers."

After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples were told to return to Jerusalem and wait.  Jesus had told them that they would be baptized by the Holy Spirit but I am sure they did not know what they were waiting for.  While they were waiting they all prayed together, men and women. And they prayed constantly.

How are we spending our time during these days of waiting?  Are we praying? Here is a small. list of things we could pray for:

 Pray for the members of our congregation.  Use a directory and pray for one page of members per day.  Pray for their health and safety during this time. Lift them up to God but name. 

Pray for the health care workers who are treating the sick.  Ask God to guide them and let them feel His spirit.

Pray for all those people who are sick with the corona virus that they be made well.

Pray for the families of those whose loved ones have died.

Pray for our nation’s leaders as they struggle to make decisions that will protect us.

Pray for the people of other nations as they struggle as we do.

Let us spend our time of waiting in prayer for one another, for others, for this nation and for the world.

Note to the Congregation During the Pandemic: Remember to Stay Connected

1 Corinthians 12: 12-14

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

In the scripture above, the Apostle Paul is reminding us that we Christians belong to the same body.  We may have different gifts; we may look different; we may approach a problem from a different angle; but we are all part of the body of Christ.

It is important that we stay connected with other members during this time of social isolation.  Please call each other. Let others hear your voice. Encourage and support one another. For those that you cannot speak to directly, send them a note by email or by mail.   Let them know that they are in your thoughts. If you are on Facebook, visit the pages of members and let them know that you are praying for them.  

We are made up of many different people, but we are all of one body.  The body of Christ.

May the love of Christ be ever with you,