A Message from Pastor Wende

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Let us gather as community at this time, not in person, but in spirit, hope, faith, love and prayer. 
Prayer:   Lord God, we come before you on bended knee.  We worship you; we praise you; we thank you for Your creation, for the gift of life, family, friends and community.  We ask for your blessings on those who are struggling during this time of uncertainty.  Strengthen our faith and trust in you that we may face these times with courage, compassion and grace.  Send us a servant’s heart, filled with your love that we may help others through this time.   Through Jesus Christ we pray.  Amen.
Gospel Reading:  Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Reflection:
God gave us a blueprint for living as God designed. When asked which was the greatest commandment, Jesus paired two together that reflect relationship, how to be in relationship with God and how to be in relationship with each other.   Perhaps now, as we are facing a worldwide illness that has never been seen before is the time for us to stop and think about what Jesus is saying to us.   Jesus is lifting up the command to love.
For us, love is such an abstract word in our English language, but it can carry different meanings. In Greek there are different words for different meanings:  Eros, the love between a couple. Filios, the love between friends, Storge, the affection that is between family members.  Agape, love that is self-giving servant love; it is a choice we make to love another. 
The love that Jesus is talking about is Agape.  And if you look at what Jesus says, “You shall love (agape) the Lord with ALL your heart, and with ALL your soul, and with ALL your mind.”   Jesus is telling us that loving God with our whole being, paying attention to God, and worshiping the One who holds us in the palm of a loving hand is the first and most important action and interaction we are to have.  From God to us and from us to God, a personal relationship that is essential to life. 
Now as most of us are home and restricted from all the day to day distractions, perhaps it is the perfect time to slow down, to return to daily prayer and scripture reading, having that dialog with God and re-centering ourselves in God’s abiding love and presence.  Jesus in perfect love gave his all for us and sent the Holy Spirit to be with us.  Our Lord is always with us, and is most certainly with us at this time when so many are afraid.  How many times through the bible does Jesus tell us do not fear?   My siblings in Christ, do not fear, but trust in the Lord who loved you completely, revealing God’s incomparable love for us.   The Author of life will sustain you and keep you.
The second part of Jesus command is to love our neighbor as ourself.  Again, this is agape love, a choice to serve and care for others as we are cared for by our Lord.  So many people now are not thinking of others.  We have been asked to voluntarily take precautions to avoid spreading the virus.  As we see others refusing to modify what they are doing, do not judge them.  Instead, let us pause and check to see if we are responding in ways that are loving to others that will protect both them and ourselves.  We see people hording supplies; again do not judge them.  Instead let us look at ourselves and determine if we are taking only what we need and in that way sharing what is needed with others. 
People of God, now is the time when you can make a huge difference for others.  Now is the time to BE the body of Christ to those in our community.  Now is the time to BE the hands of God for those in our community.  True, we are to limit our contact as much as possible with others; and in fact this is a kindness, because we will help to end the virus by doing so.  But there are many more ways to connect with others.  We can call, text or email other people to see how they are doing, especially people who live alone.  We can write cards or letters to those who do not have internet leaving them isolated.  If you are out walking in God’s beautiful nature, take some pictures and post them for others to enjoy.   And do not limit connecting with family or church family, rather extend beyond and call neighbors and those who you know would benefit from hearing from you.  If you know of someone who needs food and you can share, let them know you can bring food, then pack some food and deliver it to their doorstep.  I am certain that the people of St. John’s can think of many ways to help others while still following the instructions from our Governor and Bishop.
Please know that I pray for all of you at this time; for God to wrap you in arms of love giving you peace and comfort, and patience as we navigate these new waters of restrictions and safety measures.  Remember, Jesus is in the boat with us and will calm the waters.
Thanks be to God, Amen.
Please pray the Lord’s prayer. 
God’s peace be with you all.
In Christian love,
Pastor Wende