March 20, 2020
Grace Family,
I hope you are doing well under these current circumstances. I recall Paul, writing while in jail, in Philippians, "...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound, in any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Notice the context of that famous last verse. The context - the "all things" - is not set in the context of achieving personal goals or climbing our next mountain. First and foremost, "all things" has to do with being content in whatever situation. So, let me rephrase my first sentence. I pray you are content under these current circumstances.
Paul's next verse is important for us as well. "Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble." To Paul in his circumstance, the Philippian Christian community willingly shared Paul's trouble. They responded actively, taking upon themselves some of Paul's own trouble. How might we share in each other's trouble? How might we respond actively?
Both staff and leaders have been planning and implementing love and care. While that is good and right to do, God's Church doesn't need a program for us to love and care for one another and for our community. Discuss with your families or with friends on the phone how to love and care and then do it!
Let me share about our online worship service for this weekend. We will be posting a video on YouTube on our website as well as the link below. It will contain a short order of service, a sermon, and two songs. The order of service will also be available on the website and below, so feel free to have it open on your screen or print it out for use. There is a specific reason for using this particular order of worship, which was given out for free from the LCMS' own publishing company, Concordia Publishing House. Stay tuned to hear about why we are using this order of worship.
I also wanted to remind you to please continue giving your regular offerings. Online giving works great in our current circumstance; email Yoke in the Church Office if you need help setting it up. (
ytanko@gracelcms.net
). To continue giving without utilizing online giving, you can send the offering through US mail.
Content together with you under our Lord Jesus,
-Pastor Aaron.
