Dear People of God at Grace Lutheran Church,
You’ve heard it on the news, you have seen numerous events cancelled, and now even a travel ban in place. COVID-19 is here, and we are scared. You might be wondering how recent closures and the encouragement of the CDC to limit large gatherings of people will affect worship at Grace Lutheran. I think the founder of our Lutheran tradition can offer us insight into how we respond to this pandemic. In August of 1527 the plague struck Wittenberg and numerous people fled in fear of their lives. Martin Luther and his wife Katharina, who was pregnant at the time, remained in their beloved city in order to treat the infected. Despite the calls for him to flee Wittenberg with his family, Luther’s mind was set on helping the infected. He inevitably came to the conclusion that it was not inherently wrong for one to so value their life that they did not remain, but only so long as the sick had someone of greater faith than they to care for them. He balanced this position with the conviction that this one of greater faith ought not condemn the one of weaker faith who fled. Martin Luther wrote concerning the plague:
“Yes, no one should dare leave his neighbor unless there are others who will take care of the sick in their stead and nurse them. In such cases we must respect the word of Christ, “I was sick and you did not visit me …” [Matt. 25:41–46]. According to this passage we are bound to each other in such a way that no one may forsake the other in his distress but is obliged to assist and help him as he himself would like to be helped.”
Martin Luther was faithful and brought Christ to people through care, worship, and the sacraments despite the black plague. And in the face of coronavirus we will do just that.
First, we will follow our calling to serve our neighbors. Check in on your elderly neighbors, health care workers, and those who might not feel safe during this time maybe offer to help them with grocery shopping. Share with you neighbors what you have. Pray for those who are sick and dedicated healthcare workers caring for those who are sick.
We will worship this Sunday March 15th. We will not be passing the peace. We will have communion, though we will be taking additional precautions to limit the spread of germs, I will be sanitizing my hands and distributing both elements dipping the wafer in the wine for everyone, the assistant will simply hold the cup for me.
Secondly, if you are feeling unwell, I need to encourage you to stay home. I love you and we love you and we want to be with you, but your sickness could put the lives of those who are elderly or immunologically compromised at risk. If you are immunologically compromised and feel unsafe in worship, give me a call I will gladly come to you or we can mail you a copy of the bulletin and my sermon notes. I’d like to remind everyone that we have a lot of resources available online for you to use in your worship life, sermons are regularly posted on our YouTube and Facebook page. There is also a Lutheran Service broadcasted every Sunday on a local WLXI channel 6 called Worship Anew at 11:30 AM.
We will not be gathering for midweek activities this week or regular worship next week on March 22. Take home worship kits will be available for pick up at the church during the week with pre-consecrated communion and an order of worship for you to do at home. If you have young children, the lent take home devotionals will be a great resource to you in the event we can’t gather for worship, we have more of those available at the church if you would like to take one. Pastor Cassie will also be available to pray with you over the phone or visit during the week. We are also going to try something new next week on March 22nd, we will have drive thru church from 9:30 AM- 11 AM you are invited to stay in your car Pastor Cassie will come to your window we will do a brief worship with communion for each car.
Fear is one of the most popular weapons that sin uses against us. Worry, anxiety, fear…can overwhelm us with a thick shadow of darkness, controlling our every move and decision but let us not forget that we are God’s people and that we are still called to love our neighbors and worship God in this most difficult time. Please be safe, know that your church family is here for you if you need assistance during this time.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Cassie
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