It's been quite a week, and it's only Wednesday. We held worship on Sunday, but I didn't get to see any of you. Early Monday morning I had to bring my son Chris to MGH for a pretty significant surgery. But of course I couldn't stay with him. Yesterday I had a funeral. But only the immediate family could attend. The children of the person who had passed had been very active in Sunday school and youth group 20+ years ago. I can’t tell you how hard it was to not be able to give them a big hug when I saw them for the first time in years.
These are strange times, but I want to tell you, the church is still being the church. Regardless of the obstacles we face, we are still Rock Church…Christ’s Church. We are still a community of believers growing in faith and supporting one another with the love of Christ. In spite of the distancing measures that separate us physically, we are finding ways to continue to gather, to continue to serve, to continue to be the church. And it is awesome!
I’m encouraging folks to send me pictures of their “At Home Worship.” Send me a pic this week! I’d love to see them.
Sunday morning we could not gather physically in our sanctuaries, but close to 200 families participated in worship via live stream. Sunday evening our youth life group could not gather in person, but we had a great gathering via Zoom. Monday, as Chris was in surgery, the outpouring of love and support for our family was beyond words. Social media, text and phone calls all provided ways that we could be connected. Nicole and I are so grateful for these expressions of love and encouragement. Even at the funeral, one of the immediate family members was not able to be there in person due to illness. But by the wonders of technology she was able to be with us virtually and was able to be a part of the service.
What I want us to see is that even in these extraordinarily difficult times, the church is still the church. We are still a place to grow in faith. We still have the opportunity to be Christian community. We can still love and serve our neighbors. I am convinced that the Church of Jesus Christ is needed now more than ever. We are the bearers of hope in a frightened world, of light in the darkness. Whatever it takes, by whatever means necessary, we must continue to be the church. If it means using Zoom or social media or live streaming, so be it. Your friends, your neighbors, our nation, the world needs the hope of Christ and we are the ones to offer it.
God bless,
Pastor Steve
BTW, this Sunday is Palm Sunday. Although we cannot gather in person, we know that some of you will still want to have a palm for Palm Sunday. So Saturday morning from 9-10 we will have pastors at our Sandown and Plaistow locations distributing Palm in a safe and healthy (drive through) way. If you are not able to come by at that time, we will leave the palms out for individual pick up. Ronda Hodge will have palms available for drive by pick up at her home at 21 Monroe Street in Amesbury.