We Live In Interesting Times
The Pastor’s Ruminations during the Coronavirus, COVID19

May 23, 2020

For the most part, our lives have been inconvenienced by COVID19. For some, there has been great heartache. Just this morning I learned of the death of a family member from one of our fellowship. Death is our enemy (I Cor. 15:26) but it will be destroyed!

Our sermon text for church tomorrow is II Cor. 4:12-18. Please prepare by reading and readying your heart to hear the Word of the Lord.

I draw your attention to a series of contrasts in the text that will help us in living life no matter what comes our way. Paul learned something, specifically that the trials of life are for us, not against us.

Why? Look:

Light affliction gives way to a weight of glory.
Our light afflictions are momentary whereas the weight of glory is eternal.
Our light afflictions are working for us, not against us.

Therefore, we don’t faint! II Cor. 4:1,16

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Ahead.

We intend to gather for church next Sunday, March 31, God willing. Next Sunday we will only meet for church at 10:30 AM.

We will not have a nursery next Sunday. Parents, we’ll provide a place for you to “get away” with your little children if you need to.

June 7th we will add a nursery for the 10:30 hour.

June 14 we will begin our regular Sunday schedule with Sunday School at 9:00 AM and our Sunday Service at 10:30A M.

Make note of these things. We will not have Children’s Church until the Fall. Choir will not begin anew until the Fall.

If you should not come to church because of health considerations, age or any reason, exercise your freedom in Christ not to come with good conscience.

If you do come, there will be people here who do not meet your expectations. You are to, in Christian love, leave them alone as they exercise freedoms you perhaps do not have.

If you come and you think some present are over the top in their reactions to COVID19, you will leave them alone as they do not have freedoms you perhaps have.

I ask you again, go back to the website and listen to the sermons on I Corinthians 8-10 if you need a refresher in how to live and work with people who have different standards than you do.

For those of you who are not free to come, we will continue to record the services and they will be available online early afternoon on Sundays.

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You dear people have responded to this extremely inconvenient artificial time so well. I’m proud of you! Your giving has been excellent. Your participation in one another’s lives has encouraged me. In fact, next Sunday we’re going to have a time for public testimony of seeing God’s Good Hand in our lives during these almost 3 months. We’ll praise Him together!

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We’re singing Gospel Songs. Tomorrow. You’ll appreciate the prelude “He Keeps Me Singing” as well as the Social Distance Quartet singing “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” The songs correspond with our study very well.

We’ll sing “He Lives” in church tomorrow. Join in as we sing together. Song #622 in your hymnal.

I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
The Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.