Weather & Worship
Here’s the long-range forecast for the worship of the Living God:
100% chance that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow.
This forecast is going to permanently change the climate. It’s not only going to take place up in the atmosphere (heaven). It’s going to happen here on the ground (earth), and it’s going to rumble through unlit, subterranean realms (under the earth).
Additionally, these events will be punctuated with the praises of every tongue acknowledging that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. I’m not making this forecast up! It was given nearly 2,000 years ago in the Bible (Philippians 2:10-11).
It’s comforting to keep this long-range forecast in mind when so much about our short-term reality remains literally up-in-the-air.
In terms of the short term worship forecast, the news is not as ideal. We’ve been planning for a final outdoor worship extravaganza for this coming Sunday (11/1) but have discerned that it will be best to stay on Livestream-only due to the harshness of the weather forecast. This pains me a bit! I believe that suffering through a little cold, inclement weather is a healthy test of our will and desire to be together and worship God. However, with predicted wind gusts of up to 40 miles-per-hour, clarity and communication through microphones would be severely compromised. The value of clearly sharing our words and God’s word must win out in this case.
We will still be starting a three-week series on the overlooked, little New Testament book of Philemon, which has a lot to offer us as Americans during a divisive and turbulent political season. We will also conclude with a celebration of communion, so feel free to prepare some bread and crimson drink ahead of time. You can join the 10 a.m. Sunday Livestream here.
I’m hopeful that, despite accelerating COVID-19 numbers, good days are ahead for our public worship. We’ll be welcoming a growing number of indoor worshippers back to the sanctuary on November 8, 15, and 22. Registration will be open each Friday nine days prior, meaning that you can sign up for the November 8th service today HERE.
The mid-range worship forecast contains some fun and diverse elements!
- ECRC’s worship team will provide an “at home” Thanksgiving Day worship experience designed to use with friends and family or even around the Thanksgiving table.
- November 29th will feature an early release of Sunday worship via LIvestream and an in-person rendezvous at 10 a.m. for those being deployed for our 5th Sunday Serve projects.
- Indoor services (with Livestream) will continue on December 6, 13, and 20th.
- We’ll be hosting a series of live nativity experiences featuring the animals of Christmas on the evenings of December 21-23rd. The hope is that this will be a draw for kids, friends and neighbors to hear the Good News of Jesus coming among us.
The church has been worshipping nonstop, through all types of seasons and circumstances since the Resurrection. We’re not going to stop anytime soon.
Peace and Good Courage to you,
Pastor Gregg