CHECKING IN AS WE MOVE TOWARD THE FUTURE

Easter came and went and it definitely felt different but it certainly was not any less meaningful. Every opportunity we have to celebrate the Risen Lord is good with me. I imagine we've all felt the effects of isolation lately, and I am ready to see the church filled once again. In fact, when we are finally able to be together in worship, we are going to worship like never before. Perhaps we will see people drawn to the Lord more than we have in recent years? I do believe that God does not waste any opportunity to draw people unto himself. This may just be a very exciting time in the history of the Christian Church as we allow God to use us to share his love and be his hands and feet.

As I share these thoughts with you, I just finished listening to the Governor’s daily briefing. We now have a better idea regarding what the reopening phase will look like, and we still have many questions regarding what reopening means in the weeks ahead? Most importantly, we still do not know an exact time when we will hold services at the church? For now, group gatherings of 10 or more are still prohibited. I personally feel gatherings of larger groups will be included in Phase 3. I am hopeful that we will be together come June? Allow me to reassure you that we are brainstorming what church will look like and planning to implement every layer of protection that we can for your safety. Currently, the church is being deep cleaned and every room assessed. For the time being we will continue to share the service at 10 and 11 via Facebook and the church website at www.fulldevotion.org. We will also continue our mid-week check-in and bible study on Wednesdays at 7pm via Zoom.  When we do come back together, for those who find themselves at “high-risk,” our 11am service will continue to be livestreamed through our website.

Unfortunately, the restrictions of our current situation have forced us to make some very difficult decisions regarding upcoming ministries. We have canceled our Summer VBS and Mexico Mission Trip. All other activities at the church remain canceled until further notice. For those of you who are inquiring about summer camp, Camp Koinonia is processing their decision and we will let you know very soon. We have and will continue to communicate on every platform we have available: E-mail, U.S. mail, Church App, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and phone calls. We do not wish for anyone to be uninformed. If you have not heard from us please call the church office and let us know?

As I said before, I imagine we've all felt the effects of isolation lately. I know this is not an easy time for so many. Please reach out and make contact with a neighbor, someone from church, a family member or friend. Let them know that you care and are available should they need anything? If you need help from us to meet a need, we are standing by ready and willing to help. Let the church be salt and light to our community. Let the church shine brighter than ever before.

As you and I struggle, remember these words that come straight from scripture and remember the promise Jesus gave to us. “Christ does not promise an easy life but He does promise His presence, even to the very ends of the earth.” (John 16:33 & Matthew 28:20)

Allow me to end on a personal note. Honestly, during the last part of April, I began to feel the weight and stress of our current situation. I was struggling with motivation. I was frustrated and tired.  Most of you can identify with me? Then just at the right time, as God knew I needed some encouragement, you the church organized the Sunday afternoon “appreciation parade.” Church people piled into their cars and one by one you drove by our house honking your horns, holding up your signs and saying thank you. I was completely surprised and overwhelmed by your generous support. I could not hold back the emotion and tears that were bottled up inside. It was one of the most wonderful displays of love and encouragement I have ever felt. I will never forget it as long as I live. Thank you for making the effort and taking the time to brighten my day!  I miss you all tremendously and look forward to a time in the near future when we are together again.

EASTER CELEBRATION ISN’T CANCELLED, IT JUST MIGHT BE DIFFERENT?

For those of you who recall my last blog it was entitled, “When Life Doesn’t Make Sense.” It was based on the premise that we have our ideas of what will happen next in life, but many times life turns out differently. As we are currently embattled in the pandemic of COVID-19, it is surreal to think how much life has changed in one month. I am in no ways claiming to be prophetic for I did not fathom all that has taken and will take place. 

Things are certainly different but let me reassure you that we will get through this together. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing in this world ever has or ever will. Life will return to normal but it will be a new normal. We will have all been changed. Life is about change. God is shaping and molding us in Full Devotion to Christ. As stated in March, we must continue to trust God with every piece of our lives.

Undoubtedly, I was looking forward to celebrating our Easter services as I know you all were as well. Currently, we have suspended all services at the church until further notice. I am anticipating, according to our current guidelines, that we will not hold any corporate worship services until late in May? We have been working diligently to get our services online and will continue to do so for the future. If you are able, please join us online on Sunday mornings. You will find the livestream tab on our website at www.fulldevotion.org

Just because we are not physically together does not mean that we cannot celebrate Easter. Yes, it will take some creativity this year but we can and will find ways to make it meaningful. The Celebration of Easter is one thing that is eternal. The resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ established the opportunity for us to celebrate and worship him forever and ever.

Luke chapter 24 says, 

“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!    

With those simple words “He Has Risen,” eternity was changed forever. For those who believe in God and his plan of Salvation, eternity with God in heaven is possible. According to scripture, Jesus appeared in the flesh to over 500 people giving proof to the claim of resurrection. Historically, the celebration of Easter itself did not begin until the Council of Nicaea established a decree in the year 325. Easter has been celebrated ever since by the followers of Jesus Christ.

Here in the United States, Easter Sunday often boast the highest church attendance with the various events like sunrise services and Passion plays. But in areas of the world where Christianity is not welcome, the time we celebrate the risen life of our Savior plays out differently. In many countries, believers must celebrate in secret—not unlike those who followed Jesus 2,000 years ago. While we in the free world may think of our celebrations as the traditional way to honor our Savior’s sacrifice, today’s persecuted believers might actually be experiencing something closer to the original Easter.

I’d like to think as we celebrate Easter this year, it will give us a new perspective on what others around the world often face, especially those in the persecuted church. They face fears for their very lives, yet demonstrate the same hope as the early disciples and the same hope that we have today. I would ask that you pray for all of us and even more for believers today in countries like Egypt, Pakistan, North Korea and many others who will experience, like us, a different, yet no less meaningful Easter Sunday.

I look forward to the time when the church can be together again. I truly believe this is an opportunity for the church to rise up and show people where our hope comes from.

 As the Psalmist penned,

“I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.”