Skip to main content

Virtual Worship Extended into May

Last week we were informed by the Handke Center that, due to the Governor’s updated guidelines, we will not be able to meet there through at least May 4 which means that May 11 is the first Sunday we could meet together again for worship. Because the Governor’s guidelines also include entertainment and event facilities like the Elk River Theater and the Holiday Inn in Otsego (which has a large enough meeting room for our church), it looks very doubtful that we’ll be able to secure a venue for worship before May 11, and who knows, maybe longer.

In light of this reality, I want to encourage you to redouble your resolve to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ in every season of life. Whatever you think about this crisis, it’s way beyond our control and there’s nothing any of us can do about it. But what we can do is bow our lives before Jesus Christ and say, “Our hope is in you, our lives belong to you, and we’re gladly devoted to worshiping you and serving you and loving the lost no matter the circumstances. So, Jesus, help us to live as a kingdom of priests in this world right now." 

Beloved, our gathered life together has been put on hold, but the Kingdom of God has not been put on hold.

Therefore, be encouraged in Christ and resolve to live as his children, as members of his body, and as a kingdom of priests in this world. In the coming days, Pastor Kevin and I will be posting some blogs and videos about how to live as disciples in this unique season of life, but for now I want to say this: it begins with resolve. 

May the Lord richly bless us as we resolve to live for the glory of Christ in every season of life. God be with you all! 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Worship Songs, October 15, 2017

We post these worship songs leading up to the worship service so that parents may listen to them in the house or in the car within the days leading up to the worship service. Our hope is that children will hear the songs prior to and it will prepare them to participate in worship on Sunday mornings. My Redeemers Love Hope Has Come I Will Glory In My Redeemer Blessed Be Your Name Here In Your Presence Your Glory Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest) -- Sermon Text: John 11:1-16 That the next generation will set their hope in God and not forget the works of God (Psalm 78:7).

God Displays His Beauty While Lifting Heavy Burdens by Pastor Kevin

I know I am a little bit overweight. My doctor tells me so. The mirror that I look into affirms it and the scale (that I mostly avoid) reminds me every time I step on it. All of that makes what I am about to say so much more impressive. I had the privilege of sitting on the beaches of Florida's Atlantic coast for 8 days on our most recent family trip. For me there is something magical about the beach, especially on the Atlantic side with the waves washing up against the shoreline. We have been lucky enough to find a sleepy beach town to vacation at. A nook, if you will, that typically features retired folks or families with kids. Out of the way of those who want to party, the beach is truly a relaxing place for me.  Let me tell you something that I gleaned this time around that never quite landed on me. This last week it landed on me, almost literally. My son Ben and I are the more adventurous specimens in the Feder five. We actually get into the salty water where there are jelly f...

We Will Feast in the House of Zion by Patience Griswold

No one ever plans to have their lives upended. We know that the world is broken and bound in futility, we know that everything can change in an instant, and yet crises still have the ability to shake us to our core. None of us entered 2020 planning to experience a global pandemic this year, but here we are, practicing social distancing, wondering how the virus will affect us and our families, and wondering when we will be able to return to our regular rhythms and routines as what can feel a little like the world falling apart around us.  In the midst of social distancing, I miss my church family. I miss my Bible study, the kids in my Sunday school class, the ability to meet people for coffee, and I know that I am not alone in this. It is not wrong to grieve the temporary loss of these things. In fact, we ought to grieve, even as we seek to live joyfully and find satisfaction in Christ in the midst of difficult circumstances. If we feel no grief whatsoever over the loss of some...