200318 – For A Season

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  • March 18, 2020 at 12:18 pm #4000
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    Keymaster

    Noticings…

    March 18, 2020
    Yesterday as I locked the door of the church and walked away I had an ominous sense that I was closing up the church and that would be the end of it for all time – not just Faith United, but Church. Of course it was a ludicrous thought, but that’s the kind of stuff that’s swirling in our minds these days. We can’t help it. We’re overwhelmed, and confused, and it sometimes feels like the end of the world as we know it (and no, I don’t feel fine). 
    And then I thought of one of my favourite theological phrases, and I started to feel fine. The reality is that the world is turned upside down right now, and it’s completely out of our control, and with all in-person church activities suspended it is the end of things as we know it…..for a season. 
    For a season. 
    It’s not forever; it’s for a season. Winter is currently giving way to spring. Seasons change. Seasons come and go. Some are predictable, but mostly seasons have no specific dates for coming and going, despite what the calendar may say.
    We are in a remarkably strange and curious season. But it is just a season. It’s not forever. It’s difficult now – like coping with -20 temperatures in winter, or +40 humidity in Summer – but those seasons pass too. 
    Take a look out of your window right now. It doesn’t look like it did a month ago when we were bombarded with snow. Seasons happen, and they last a while, but they always change. 
    This is our season now. A season of social-distancing, and self-isolation, and anxiety…and it will all pass – not quickly enough, and not without real hardships and challenges – but it will pass. It’s just a season.
    And just like we dress warm in winter, and wear shorts in summer, we must adapt to the realities of this season, and find ways to stay connected, to stay faithful, to stay loving. (That’s the exception – the season of love, love, love never ends.)
    So, while many things are out of our control in this season here is a list of things that are entirely within your control. 
    I encourage you to ask yourself these questions every day in this season!
    1. What am I GRATEFUL for today?
    1. Who am I CHECKING IN on or CONNECTING WITH today?
    1. What expectations of “normal” am I LETTING GO of today?
    1. How am I GETTING OUTSIDE today?
    1. How am I MOVING MY BODY today?
    1. What BEAUTY am I either creating, cultivating, or inviting in today?
    1. Who am I PRAYING for today?
    And, of course, knowing that surely God is in this place and every place…
    1. How am I NOTICING God’s Presence today?
    You are in control of how you look at this season, and how you love in the midst of it all. Hopefully those 8 questions will help.
    May this strange and sobering season be a season of support, care, and loving-kindness for us all.
    Help me notice!

     

    Worship with us Sundays on YouTube

    To tune in, go to YouTube and search for “faithunitedchurch” – or click the YouTube link on our webpage. You may also click this link, and it will redirect you to our YouTube page. 

    Rev. Larry will lead worship on Sunday mornings at our usual 10:30 am time, with music support, and with minimal tech support to allow for streaming. All previous Sunday worship services are available on-demand, and you can watch any time!

    No congregation will be present – but we hope you’ll join us online. And you can even worship in your jammies if you wish! 

    Shalom,
    Larry
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