Lon's Lessons

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Written by Lon Lorton Lon Lorton

Here's "Lon's Lesson" for today, 05.31.20.  Whether it be Pentecost over 2000 years ago or Covid-19 in 2020, God is always at work using life-defining moments to form us as disciples into the image of Jesus.

Peace in the Storm

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Written by Lon Lorton Lon Lorton

“But I have calmed and quieted myself.  I am like a weaned child with its mother; Like a weaned child I am content.”  Psalm 131:2

It’s been proven that being in a constant state of stress lowers the ability of a person’s immune system to function as it should.  Isn’t that ironic, considering that for the past ten weeks we’ve pretty much been living in a perpetual state of anxiety over a virus?

While I would never say there’s no threat posed by the invisible COVID-19 enemy, I do believe we have a better chance of coming through this time with our mental and physical health intact if we face it calmly and relaxed.  When we become the kind of people who stay focused on Jesus in the midst of our trials, we’re better able to take a deep breath, inhale kingdom promises, and then release, exhaling stress from our bodies and minds.

In fact, the ability to do that is what makes us more effective representatives of Christ - to each other and to the culture outside our doors.  It’s nearly impossible for folks who are freaking out and scared to death to make rational and well-thought-out decisions.  A proper and realistic Christ-focus is necessary.

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Guidelines for In-Person Worship

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Written by Lon Lorton Lon Lorton

Our Session has voted to resume in-person worship next Sunday, May 24th.  Obviously, the services will be a bit different from those pre-Covid-19.  Here are the guidelines we will be following as we reopen our doors for worship.

CHURCH GUIDELINES FOR WORSHIP IN A COVID-19 ENVIRONMENT

We have to assume that simply because we have a date to begin worshiping again that it does not mean we simply go back to the way it was, or that the way it was will even be available to us for quite some time.  We need to deal compassionately and carefully with those already in the church family and with those in the community we would want to reach.  Attending an in-person worship experience should not be seen as a test of our faith.  It is not God’s will that we endanger ourselves or the community in order to maintain our previous faith practices and traditions.  By adapting to serve in new ways we may actually be able to better honor both God and neighbor.  Attending to the needs of anyone uncomfortable with or unable to attend worship is an important shepherding task as we discern which activities we can and should designate as in-person.

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