This past week has been one of unexpected warning, determined decisions and thoughtful questions about how we, the people of God, can gather in community when community, as we know it, has been transformed and reshaped by the current landscape.

As your pastor I don’t have all of the answers for how we are to reshape and re-envision what it means to be a “community of grace” in a time of physical distancing and cancelled worship and gathering in fellowship. Personally, it is hard for me to realize that last week at this time we were coming up with plans for how to distribute communion in a safe manner, and now we find ourselves in a time of cancelled worship, ZOOM meetings and online care.

I don’t have all of the answers, but you – this beautiful community of grace – have found ways in which to bless and be a part of this ongoing community of believers during these unprecedented times. Over the past few days I have received email upon email with the question: “How can I help?” These emails are coming from active and engaged members, people who worship with us sporadically, college students who are living in distant places, and others who are seeking ways to be part of a community of service, love, kindness and compassion.

Patricia Lull, Bishop of the St. Paul Area Synod, ELCA quoted in her letter to pastors this week these words from Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky who wrote in his letter to his congregation:

Every hand that we don’t shake 
must become a phone call we place. 
Every embrace that we avoid must become 
a verbal expression of warmth and concern. 
Every inch and foot that we physically place 
between ourselves and another, must become a thought 
as to how we might be of help to that other, 
should the need arise.

We are a community united by grace and we are called to look out for ways in our daily lives to live out our calling and vision to love God and love our neighbor. I thank you, this community of people, for the ways you inspire, lead and transform the world around you. 

In the upcoming weeks we will be offering up a variety of ways for you to participate in our vision and mission and our calling to be a people of grace to a world in need. I encourage you to sign up for our eBlast as a way of communication and encouragement. Daily devotions, information and outreach opportunities will be made available to you in this online format. Also, check out our Facebook page where we can engage each other in online community.

I also ask you to reach out to those around you. Find time to check in on a neighbor, a loved one, or a mother or father who is trying to juggle work and kids at home. Ask them, “How can I help?” You may be surprised by the answer!

In closing I bring you words from Hebrews 10:23-24:

Let us hold fast to the confession 
of our hope without wavering, 
for he who has promised is faithful. 
And let us consider how to provoke one another 
to love and good deeds.

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Lord, the universe is too large for us to understand. Your knowledge is too great for us. Yet you call us, each and every one of us by name, to be your witness in this world. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, encourage and guide us to be your people in all of the ways in which we work and live. Open our eyes to seek your presence among us and to live in community with one another. Amen

Pastor Lauren J. Wrightsman