Church,
The past couple months have been challenging and rewarding for us as a church family. With the spread of the coronavirus, suspending in-person worship, and learning to Zoom, we have been navigating these waters well. It is no surprise that God has been present in new ways during this time. There have been new connections made between members through phone calls and cards. People have overcome their fear of technology to study scripture together. Second Baptist, Belmont Baptist, and our congregation have been able to come together to worship. Relationships have been mended and Gospel ministry has been the focus of our 3 autonomous congregations. There is a willingness to be in fellowship with one another for Kingdom building. Many hard issues have come to the surface and people are feeling heard for the first time. YouTube and Zoom have served as proven ministry partners. However, there has still been hurt. Some have felt isolation and fear because of the virus. Others have been personally affected with the loss of a friend or loved one. Racism has reared its ugly head in our community and country. Wounds that were once buried have been exposed to the light. But, alas, God has been working among us. The Spirit of God has been faithful to push us in new ways and remind us that the church building is not the church. The bitter taste of repentance has helped to refocus and reframe what it means to follow Christ.
As we begin to gather again, either in-person or virtually, I want us to remember why we come to church. We come not for our benefit (though reap the benefits of worship) but to worship God. We gather in the name of Jesus to give thanks for God’s faithfulness, love, and grace that we do not deserve. The service is not focused on us but on our Savior. We lift our voices together to give praise to a God that cares about our community and us. Worship is not about our preferences but about giving; we have been given back to our Creator. Though our service will be done in a different order, our focus has never changed. It will not change. Our goal as we meet is to glorify God and support one another in love. As we gather back together in various ways and styles, I want us to remember why we worship.
At the beginning of the year, I prayed that God would give us a new theme verse. I felt compelled to use Isaiah 43:19. We have been saying it at the start of each service since January. I think it is only fitting for us to look at it again with the surrounding verses.
“But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
This is what the Lord says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
17 who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.”
The Lord is doing something new here in the life of FBC. It is in the way we worship, how we connect with one another, and how to care for the community we are in. God asks us to not dwell on the past. The Lord does not ask us to do it like we ALWAYS have. God has called us to be flexible and a willing participant of Kingdom work. These verses focus on what God does so that we might trust in God’s goodness. It is the Lord that is doing a new thing. It is the Lord that makes ways in the wilderness. It is the Lord who brings water in the desert. The Lord is doing a new thing!!! Don’t you perceive it? I pray that we would discern together what the Holy Spirit is calling us to. In this new season of sorts, let us focus on worshipping God, staying safe, and being a part of the new life Christ gives. May we worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit with our whole beings. I am looking forward to seeing you in person or virtually in the upcoming weeks.
Peace,
Pastor Joy
P.S. Please note, that services are subject to change if numbers of case increase or if someone in the building tests positive for COVID-19.If you have not read the letter sent out about in-person worship… read it!