COVID-19 Tuesday, March 24

Dear Church Family,

“Take your Bible, and take your newspaper, and read both.”  That advice from theologian Karl Barth, has never been more fitting than it is today.

The news about the corona virus filtrates almost every article in this morning’s paper.  It’s important to stay abreast of the news in order to be aware of the latest restrictions and closures and to know how we can help stem the tide of COVID-19. Basically, stay home.  But if you spend your whole day reading the newspaper and watching the news, you will soon lose perspective.  Other than the occasional feel-good story, it’s all bad news.

At the same time, don’t read your bibles without listening to what is happening out there.  As Christians, we can slip into Plato’s dualism and assure ourselves that this physical world doesn’t matter anyway; we’ve got a (spiritual) mansion just over the hilltop. The future promises that God holds out to us are beautiful and important.  But his salvation, this concept of “being saved,” is also for today, during the present crisis.  When God says he will uphold us, he means now, today.

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though [we] may stumble, [we] will not fall, for the Lord upholds [us] with his hand” (Psalm 37:23, 24).

You have lots of time on your hands today, so go ahead and follow the news.  But also read your bible.  As followers of Jesus, you can’t have one with the other.

Pastor Rita

COVID-19 Monday, March 23

Dear Church Family,

Our son sent me a picture this morning, of his little ones building a snowman .  This morning’s snow felt like a gift in its beauty and also in providing something for the kids to do; it was great packing snow!

Whenever nature sends me a gift like this, I think of Psalm 19 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”

That language, about day after day, night after night, might feel a little tiresome right now.  With March break officially over, we are now into that two-week extension, which sounds like it will continue beyond that time frame. Day after day, we are dealing with this pandemic.

Martin Luther, professor, priest, monk, reformer- spoke these well-known words:   "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." That’s a word of hope and confidence, it’s a reminder that with God we know that there is a future for us, for this world, even if it does look as though the world is going to pieces.

It might be a bit early to plant your gardens, especially when the kids our outside building snowmen, but continue on.  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).

Pastor Rita

COVID-19, Sunday, March 22

Dear Church Family,

Just a week ago we were surprised to have taken the step to cancel our Sunday service.  Now a week later, no one was surprised that we were not gathering at 70 Garner Rd E.  How things can change in one week.

And now we wait.  We wait for things to get worse, or to get better.  I think for the first time, I’m getting a small taste of what the people of Israel were talking about when they said they were waiting for the coming of the Messiah.   Waiting.  At first their waiting would have been with a sense of urgency,  that the  Saviour of the world would arrive any day.  By the time we read about Simeon, who “was waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25), the waiting would have become more like a dull ache, always there, but in the back ground.

Waiting for God to rescue us from this pandemic  is nothing like waiting for the Messiah, of course.  And yet, the notion of “being saved” has suddenly become real to us.  To be saved is more than religious language.  God’s salvation impacts every aspect of our lives – our financial instability, our cancers, our social isolation and relationships.  What do you need to be saved from? And what does that salvation look like?

We’ve been reading through John’s gospel in preparation for Good Friday.  John talks about the “signs” that Jesus does.  Signs, not miracles.  Each sign gives us a foretaste, a glimpse, a sample of what salvation in Jesus will look like in the fullness of time.

And so, we wait.  May God give us a sign, soon, in the control of this pandemic,  that will give us a taste of what it will be like when ALL our diseases are healed, when all our worries are calmed, when all our tears are dried.

As we enter this new week, “wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).

Pastor Rita

COVID-19, Saturday, March 21

Dear Church Family,

I hope that you are making an effort to stay in touch with one another. Please, please, contact your elder or me if you have any needs that are causing you concern. I talk to my kids almost every day – not sure if I’m checking up on them or if they think they are checking in on their parents!! But not everyone has that sort of regular contact.

In a Skype conversation this morning, one son and daughter-in-law described some of the things they are doing with their children. They bought Catan Junior; each game lasts about half an hour – “perfect length,” they said, “for their 6-10 year olds.”  One of their girls is into animal rescue shows. They haven’t yet got into home-schooling mode – but it’s coming.  The other thing they are dealing with is the questions from their children.  “If a friend’s birthday party has been cancelled, will mine by cancelled too?” Parents need to find the balance between what are real concerns and what are inconveniences, between what is urgent and what can wait, between looking on the bright side while also acknowledging the hurt and pain of the COVID pandemic.

No different than us.  Yes, we know God is in control and that the battle is his (II Chronicles 20:15); yes, we know that we are more valuable to God than those beautiful birds of the air (Matthew 6:26); yes, we know that after this life we will rise again in the resurrection (last week’s reading from John 11:24). But we also know that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33); we know that the whole creation is groaning (Romans 8:22); pure joy to face trials of many kinds?? (James 1:2) – really?

As we have these conversations, it is so important that the words are not just words.  Like the incarnation of Jesus, we need some flesh on our love.  So, let’s make it real. If you come across a scripture verse that touches you, share it with someone (thank you to those who have done so for me!). If God places on your heart someone for whom to pray, do it, and then let them know that you prayed for them. Find out if your neighbours and friends need groceries or if they need someone to pick up their meds for them. Even if you can’t get out yourself, let your elder know and he/she will make it happen.  Have you watched a good movie or read a good book?  Recommend it to someone.

We must not trivialize the severity of what is happening, but neither do we lose hope. May the God of all comfort, comfort us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (II Corinthians 1:3,4).

“See” you tomorrow morning.

Pastor Rita

COVID-19, Friday, March 20

Dear Church Family,

Yesterday I had a ZOOM meeting with about 15 other CRC pastors.  We checked in on one another and heard how our churches are navigating the COVID crisis.  All our churches are finding ways to be church while not gathering for Sunday worship or for our programs.  The internet continues to be a very helpful tool with most churches making their messages available online. 

Last week I preached the sermon in front of Gaele and Coby Visser.  We were socially distanced – Gaele in the sound booth, Coby in the back pew. I did my best to envision all of you in the pews!  Tomorrow Ben Wimmers and I will meet Gaele at the church where we will conduct the service for this Sunday. I will lead the service and pray with you; Ben will preach the message he has prepared.  

We fully expect to have the service on line for you to watch by 10 a.m. on Sunday morning.

You can watch the service at any time, of course, but with life being so uncertain right now, it is good to establish a routine as much as possible.  So, do try to gather, with your household AND with your virtual church family, on Sunday morning at 10.  I hope you have also found a special time each day to read your Bible.  If you are following our John reading guide, today you should be reading John 11:38-57. Enjoy that! (even though the second half of that passage isn’t a happy story.)  Your daily schedule can also include a time of prayer, a walk, and other activities you enjoy.

We have gone through a week of social distancing.  The novelty is fast wearing off and next week may feel quite different.  And so it is my prayer that God will reveal to you his glory:  “Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’” (John 11:40).

Yes, may you see the glory of God today.

Blessings,

Pastor Rita

ps:  my lights are flickering as I write this – praying our power doesn’t go out on this windy day!

COVID-19, Thursday, March 19

Dear Church Family,

Today is the first day of spring.  I pray that you have seen signs of God’s faithfulness as some of your perennials poke their heads through the earth and the first buds appear on our trees. I’m no gardener, but even our gardens are showing new life!  Despite the discouraging news that we hear 24/7, life does go on.  I talked to someone today who was blessed with a new grandbaby. Birthdays are being celebrated remotely. The Oberammergau Passion Play, which we had planned to see this spring, will happen, but in 2022! 

We know that God is with us through this, but at the same time, we tend to ask, “Can’t God do something to fix this?”

 

That’s the same question that was asked when Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus died.  “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:37 – part of today’s scripture reading).

The question is not answered in this passage.  The obvious answer, is that, yes, Jesus could have prevented the death of Lazarus; God could have spared us from COVID-19.  The more difficult question is, “Why didn’t he?” 

I can give you answers about how God has granted us freedom to choose and therefore freedom to live with the consequences of our choices, or how, like in John 11, Jesus demonstrates his love most clearly in our times of struggle, or, quoting C.S. Lewis, that pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.  But none of those answers truly satisfy.

Perhaps the better approach is one of humility and love.  Humility before a God whose ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8,9) and love for those who are having a more difficult time than you might be dealing with right now. Please check in on one another.  Stay connected with our church family.  And please, if you are not on the Bridge App yet, via your cell phone, or know of someone who doesn’t know how to make it happen, send an email or leave a message at the church office.

May God bless you, on this first day of spring, with evidence of his faithfulness.

Pastor Rita

COVID-19 Wednesday, March 18

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Dear Church Family,

If we count Saturday as the first day, then we are at day five of our social distancing efforts. Most of our church members are home by now, though I’m aware of a few families who are still out of the country.  I am praying that they will get home safely, especially those who are flying.  For those of you who are self isolating or quarantined, may God give you patience.

How has this social distancing been going for you?  Some of you might still be wondering, are we making too much of this?  The answer, of course, is that we don’t know.  So, let’s err’ on the side of caution.

I grew up on a farm, and my dad had a spreader.  It looked something like this, except not that clean.  Never, ever, stand near a manure spreader when it’s in operation! 

During this COVID-19 season, don’t be a spreader.  What is being asked of us isn’t anything too difficult.  We are being asked to stay in or around our comfortable homes.  That’s it.  We can do this.

If you are healthy and safe, thank God.  And then do what you can to make sure others are healthy and safe. In John 10 (today’s chapter) we find that wonderful verse about what sort of life Jesus wants for us:  “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (10:10). 

If you have stories or pictures of what that abundant life looks like for you this week, and if you are ok with having me share them with our church family, send them my way.

Blessings for today,

Pastor Rita