Phase 1 for Church Reopening - (Still subject to change)
(See letter from Pastor Joe further down on this page)
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pastor Joe Baumgarten
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May 2020 Message
James 5:7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
Dear brothers and sisters of Christ,
I’m sure that “be patient” is the last thing you want to hear right now. As a pastor, that’s probably the last thing I would want to say to anyone. It’s not always advisable to pray for patience because in my experience, God often shows you just how much patience you have and how much patience He has. It’s never a fun endurance test. The Greek form of patience is a word that could be used to describe a long-burning incense offering. So then, be like the long-burning incense offering. We smolder away, little by little, producing an aroma of sweetness that is the aroma of God.
Be patient. This time of separation will conclude at some point. Life will not go back to what it once was, but it will continue on until the day that Jesus returns. There are too many clichés out there about how we’re all in this together. (insert eye-roll here) Everybody is having a different experience with this, just as we have different experiences of everything. Be patient. This too shall pass.
Be patient. We will gather again for worship one day. It will be very different at first and some may not be able to be with us right away. Be patient and one day we’ll worship as a Grace family again.
Be patient. We will have communion again. The Lord’s Supper, while absent for a while, will be part of our worship again. I’m at peace, knowing that so many of you crave the supper. We should. But we need to be diligent in the right use and treatment of the Sacrament. Luther is quoted as saying that the only emergency use of the Sacrament that is appropriate is if someone is on their death bed. Otherwise, we have our baptisms and the true Word of God to sustain us. Be patient. We will dine at the table of our Lord again soon.
Be patient. As Lutherans, we respect the authorities placed over us and follow the rule of law insofar as it doesn’t contradict the Scriptures. Being asked not to gather at church is not the same as being told we cannot worship. Jesus told the woman at the well that the hour is coming when neither on the mountain nor in Jerusalem would people worship the Father. Be patient and worship at home, online, or in the McDonald’s parking lot.
Be patient. I know it is not easy. I don’t always feel like the most patient person, but as one redeemed by Christ the crucified and made holy through faith by the Holy Spirit, I know that patience will show itself as a fruit of faith. Be patient. I miss seeing you all here. I know that I will see you all soon.
Please look over the following guidelines for Phase 1 of a reopening plan. When we are given the green light by our leaders to begin assembling, we’ll follow the protocols described here. Be patient. We will get everyone back together. It might not be right away, but it will eventually happen. Bear with me and the leadership of Grace as we try to make the best use of our resources and keep everyone as healthy and safe as we can.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Joe
James 5:7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
Dear brothers and sisters of Christ,
I’m sure that “be patient” is the last thing you want to hear right now. As a pastor, that’s probably the last thing I would want to say to anyone. It’s not always advisable to pray for patience because in my experience, God often shows you just how much patience you have and how much patience He has. It’s never a fun endurance test. The Greek form of patience is a word that could be used to describe a long-burning incense offering. So then, be like the long-burning incense offering. We smolder away, little by little, producing an aroma of sweetness that is the aroma of God.
Be patient. This time of separation will conclude at some point. Life will not go back to what it once was, but it will continue on until the day that Jesus returns. There are too many clichés out there about how we’re all in this together. (insert eye-roll here) Everybody is having a different experience with this, just as we have different experiences of everything. Be patient. This too shall pass.
Be patient. We will gather again for worship one day. It will be very different at first and some may not be able to be with us right away. Be patient and one day we’ll worship as a Grace family again.
Be patient. We will have communion again. The Lord’s Supper, while absent for a while, will be part of our worship again. I’m at peace, knowing that so many of you crave the supper. We should. But we need to be diligent in the right use and treatment of the Sacrament. Luther is quoted as saying that the only emergency use of the Sacrament that is appropriate is if someone is on their death bed. Otherwise, we have our baptisms and the true Word of God to sustain us. Be patient. We will dine at the table of our Lord again soon.
Be patient. As Lutherans, we respect the authorities placed over us and follow the rule of law insofar as it doesn’t contradict the Scriptures. Being asked not to gather at church is not the same as being told we cannot worship. Jesus told the woman at the well that the hour is coming when neither on the mountain nor in Jerusalem would people worship the Father. Be patient and worship at home, online, or in the McDonald’s parking lot.
Be patient. I know it is not easy. I don’t always feel like the most patient person, but as one redeemed by Christ the crucified and made holy through faith by the Holy Spirit, I know that patience will show itself as a fruit of faith. Be patient. I miss seeing you all here. I know that I will see you all soon.
Please look over the following guidelines for Phase 1 of a reopening plan. When we are given the green light by our leaders to begin assembling, we’ll follow the protocols described here. Be patient. We will get everyone back together. It might not be right away, but it will eventually happen. Bear with me and the leadership of Grace as we try to make the best use of our resources and keep everyone as healthy and safe as we can.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Joe
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