Dear First Pres,
It’s Christmas Eve eve! I hope you’re ready to worship and celebrate. Yes, our celebration is different, and it’s hard to miss some of those beloved traditions, but the truth of what we celebrate hasn’t changed one bit. “Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!” Christ has come, Immanuel, and He is coming again. So, even if your celebration looks different this year, ask the Lord to help you truly rejoice in the truth of that first Noel and receive your King.
If you’re planning to join us for the 5pm outdoor service, please plan to show up a bit early so that you can get situated. I encourage you to consider entering the parking lot from Stanislaus or L street. Our outdoor sanctuary will be set up in the northern section of the parking lot, so parking will be in the southeast section. Remember to bring your own chair as well as blankets, jackets, and gloves. It might be a bit cold, but we’re not going to let that dampen our worshipful spirits, right? Also, please wear a mask and keep physical distance from those outside of your household. Finally, of course, if you’re experiencing any sickness, please stay in the comfort and warmth of your home.
And, if you’re planning to participate in the 7pm Streamed service on our YouTube channel, I encourage you to make sure you have your Advent wreath ready to go. At the beginning of the service, when I light the candles in the Sanctuary, you should light your candles at home. And I pray that as you do, it will truly call your soul into worship. Don’t just have the service on in the background while you do your other chores or celebrations. Set aside that time, whenever you watch it, to truly be an hour set aside to worship Christ.
Remember, also, that you can still invite others to worship with us this Christmas Eve. If you’re coming to the parking lot service, don’t be afraid to invite others to meet you there. And, of course, our Streamed service will be available to all on YouTube. It’s been a joy to hear stories of how the Lord is using our online services to reach new people. Praise be to God!
Finally, some have asked, “Why aren’t we meeting inside for worship?” The recent Supreme Court rulings about state restrictions over places of worship have provided some important clarity on the matter. For this, I am grateful. This whole pandemic has created quite a case study on our personal and corporate freedoms. However, for me, our decisions about ministry levels at FPC, whether we meet indoors or outdoors or only online, have always been more about what we should do rather than what we can do. In other words, for us it’s been less about what is allowed and more about what is best. And this has been complicated because there are so many variables to consider. From the beginning, though, we came to the decision table with this question in mind: how can we, FPC, best help to slow the spread of this virus in our community while continuing to minister the Gospel to our community? Right now, while the virus is at its highest levels in our city and our hospitals are stretched so thin, it seems best to us to continue worshipping outside and online.
As I said early on in this pandemic, we have a wonderful diversity of opinions in our congregation about this pandemic, the government’s role in the midst of it, and the church’s response to it. Some will agree with the paragraph above and some will disagree. Still, Beloved, let’s continue to hold together with grace and truth, as we press on to celebrate Christ with us and share this good news of great joy for all the people. He is our hope. He is our peace. He is the Rock on which we stand.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeremy
P.S. Remember, you’re invited to join me in reading through the Bible in 2021. I’ve found a great reading plan from the Bible Project. You can join the group on the YouVersion Bible app by clicking HERE. Or download the reading plan pdf (below). If you plan to read through the Bible on your own, would you let me know HERE? I would like to send notes of encouragement throughout the year as we journey through the Scriptures together.
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