She’s beginning to stir. The old girl is waking up. Those who are able are changing their sweatpants for khakis or jeans or whatever people wear to church these days. The church is coming back!

Corporate worship has resumed. We are getting together safely, praising the Lord together, and hearing His Word in-person. We have guests regularly joining us and we are reaching out to them. This part of the body life, we share together, is going now. It’s a good start and a great debt of gratitude is owed to the many volunteer lay leaders who have worked hard to make it happen.

Let me tell you about another sign of life that has fully emerged from the soil. Some in our family have begun a prayer meeting (socially distanced with masks required) in the sanctuary on Mondays at 6:30. It’s a powerful time and you might want to be a part of it. Thank you, Steve and Nancy, for hearing the Lord’s voice and making this happen (I don’t know if Nancy will see this but I KNOW Steve won’t! Somebody tell him I said “thanks,” please.) The prayer meeting of a church is the engine that makes it go.

Other shoots are also sprouting. Visions for Student Ministry, Sunday School, and VBS are stirring. Please pray that the Lord will give His fresh direction and that we will do what is most pleasing to Him as these ministries begin to develop.

We need to be thankful and yet careful. The Washington Post reports this week that Arizona, Arkansas, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas have all seen Covid-19 spike in their states and that Nevada and Missouri have seen recent single day high numbers. Coronavirus is still present and active.

Vigilance is still called for. We are still going to control our social distancing when we get together. We are still going to request (but not require) that masks are worn. We are not going to be reckless with your lives. This is the heart conviction that is driving our decisions. I hope you can appreciate it, even if you don’t agree with it. At worst, just endure our over-protecting mother-hen-edness. It won’t last forever.

As always, I want to speak to those of you who are still stuck at home because your health is just too fragile to risk getting out for in-person worship. We love you. We know you love us. You can call if you need us and we will come. We will not forget you. You are now, as you have always been, a vital part of this church family and we cannot wait until we can all be together giving loving hugs and mushy kisses again!

Love you!

Pastor John