We Are Still One Body

I had a Zoom meeting recently with seminary friends. We’ve been checking in with each other on a regular basis, offering counsel to one another. It’s been a place to safely blow off steam with no judgement, of grace and understanding.

One friend who is the rector of a church in the northeast informed us that her bishop had just shut down all gatherings of people in any number… no worship teams, no one (even priests) allowed on the church property, everything must be done from home. Another friend who’s in Florida has been doing services online for the last 5 weeks outside in their courtyard, and was so excited to be able to move into the church this Sunday, now that their internet has been hooked up. The last person on the call, my friend in South Carolina, is recording his Sunday services on Friday and posting them on Sunday.

Everyone is doing something different. Everyone has a different approach. Everyone is navigating the challenges we face differently, and yet… ALL of their people are worshipping! Whether it’s live, pre-recorded, taped from a living room or a courtyard, the members of their congregations continue to come before the Lord to give God honor and praise, to receive absolution of sins, and to fellowship with each other, even if in a different way.

Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath give praise to the Lord! Hallelujah!”

Hallelujah Indeed!

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, keep you safe and make you strong, this night and always. Amen.

Fr. Brian+