The 2020 Pandemic has provided many hurdles to overcome and opportunities to embrace. In my family alone, we have had to overcome the need for all of us to be on the internet at the same time, dueling schedules, and the conflict that arises when a family of five is stuck with each other for seven months.
Pastor Cara and I are also aware that in this merger, we are blending two different church cultures: the culture of a small church and the culture of a large church. You might not even be aware that churches have different cultures based on size…but they do! In an effort to highlight some of the major differences between small and large churches, Pastor Cara and I are making a short series of videos. In this week’s video, we talk about the different experiences of community in large and small churches.
Many of you may have noticed that we crossed the six-month mark of this pandemic around September 12. In some ways, those six months have gone by in a blur. Without the regular rhythms of leaving the house for work, school, church, and gatherings with friends and family, time loses some of its meaning. Thankfully, the leaves changing color remind me that time is still moving forward, even when it does not feel like it!
Last week, Pastor Melinda talked about how crazy 2020 has been with events like social unrest, a pandemic, and now wildfires. It seems like it can’t get any worse and then it does. With all of these things happening, our emotions are closer to the surface and are often stronger than normal. It is important in these times that we find ways to process these emotions. One way to do this is through the Welcoming Prayer.
by Pastor Melinda
Last week’s sermon talked about Jesus’ commandment to love one another and to see Christ in each person we meet. As Christians, this is our ongoing work, but it not only benefits others - there is also delight for us in this way of living. In our giving to others, we receive happiness.
I invite you to view this short video called “Unsung Hero” as you reflect on the ways you live out Jesus’ commandment in your life. You will notice that the video is produced by Thai Life Insurance and is subtitled. Thai Life Insurance uses uplifting videos in all their advertising, and this particular video received over 17 million views from 232 countries within four weeks of its launch.
Growing up, my family’s life revolved around the yearly school calendar. My dad was a high school teacher, and my mom taught at the local community college. When school wasn’t in session, all four of us would be home. This meant that going back to school felt like the beginning of a new year for our whole family. My parents returned to work after summer vacation to begin new classes, and my brother and I started a new school year with new teachers and new school supplies. Our lives changed far more dramatically at the beginning of each school year than they did on January 1!
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