Dear Grace Family: Being separated from our routine community life offers an opportunity to reflect upon what our community means to us. Despite the distinctly American emphasis upon individualism and personal freedom, human beings were made to live in community with each other. We need time alone, but too much isolation is not healthy for any of us. Personally, I miss many aspects of our life as a community, and I look forward to the day when we are able to worship together in person.
We expect to hear from our Bishop by the end of next week regarding his recommendation for a date for Florida United Methodist churches to resume public worship. The date to resume may be before the end of May or it may be sometime in June. We are all encouraged to remember that staying home and avoiding close social contact is our primary way of loving our neighbors during this strange season of our life together. But we are always able to stay connected via phone, email, Facebook, and even letter-writing, a forgotten art.
This Sunday, May 3, we will offer our 11am online worship via the church Facebook page and the church website. We will have a variety of wonderful musical selections. Many thanks to Tom Black, Nick Barth, Mike Ferger, Matt Gleason and our many talented musicians for their work to make online worship happen. Thanks also to Tim Cordes and Gary Burton for sound booth assistance.
My message Sunday will be based upon Acts 2: 42-47. Take the time to read that passage prior to worship, and to have your Bible with you at home during worship. We will offer virtual Holy Communion at the end of the service, so have your juice, wine, or water and bread ready. May God keep you safe and healthy. God willing, the worst of the Covid-19 journey is behind us. Blessings, Pastor Steve