Virtual Worship

Because of the coronavirus, most churches have been forced to either shut down or attempt a digital presence on the internet, usually through Facebook, YouTube, or some of live streaming option. Let me say this: I really don’t like virtual worship. Don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful to have social media and other digital tools at my disposal. Can you imagine going through this with no way to connect with others?

But therein lies my issue. The Church, the people of Christ, are connected to one another. In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul refers to the Church as the “Body of Christ.” By that, he means that the Church is a living, active, growing organism.

My hope is that when life returns to “normal,” we never again forsake the opportunity to worship. We miss each other. We are family, and our weekly worship was the time we had to connect with one another and Christ. Virtual worship, while a welcome tool at the moment, just isn’t the same. It’s nice to share prayer concerns through email and other messaging tools, but it’s not quite the same as being present together and hearing the emotional content of that prayer concern. We can sing songs and hymns of praise during our self-quarantine (as well we should!), but it is not the same as singing in worship.

I think you get my point.

For now, we will continue to worship virtually, we will continue to connect the best way we can, but when it is safe to worship en masse again, we will worship with the greatest energy and joy we can muster. Yes, it looks as if we are not going to be able to gather for Holy Week worship, and this disappoints me. So, when we next gather, even it if is Mother’s Day , we will celebrate the passion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus!

Let us use this moment to remember what it means to be the Body of Christ, the “called out ones,” the Gathered before God!

Blessings,

Pastor John