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Love Better!
November 19, 2020 (Week 36)
A blessed day to one and all!
We are now in the purple tier in San Diego County and what it means is somewhat unclear. Some individuals and businesses are choosing to ignore the requisite measures designed to ensure safety. There is definitely COVID fatigue and frustration out there. But there is also definitely COVID out there. We need to be careful as much or more than ever to try to stop this as quickly and definitively as we can. Your church has committed itself to the safety of our members and staff, and will continue to do so. When we will get back into full swing remains a mystery for the moment, but we will keep you updated.
For today, I thought it might be good to remind you of the things we are doing in our community to provide spiritual support and nurturing through the ongoing isolation in which we are forced to live.
One of the things that most people understand to be critical to their spiritual welfare is worship. Well, we’ve got you covered! Our worship service on Sunday morning is live-streamed at 10:00 am, and features elements of our traditional liturgy, our contemporary worship and our informal services. The service remains available on our website thereafter.
Prior to Sunday morning worship, there is a virtual coffee hour, to which everyone is invited. This is a Zoom meeting, and is available on our website.
After worship on Sunday morning, we have begun the “Message Forum,” which is a Bible study intended to focus on that morning’s Bible readings and sermon. (Zoom, on website).
About a month ago, we began a Wednesday evening, live “Concert in the Courtyard,” which is a Service of Word & Prayer, accompanied by one of our talented musicians. This has been a live-streamed event at 5:00 pm Wednesday, available thereafter on the website. Those who have come to campus to attend have really enjoyed the worship and the fellowship. We are studying how to proceed with this service because though we are getting better and better logistically at doing it, the further we get into the winter, the colder it is getting. We’ll keep you posted.
When it became clear that the pandemic really was going to isolate us, we initiated a couple of other ministry elements for our congregation; namely, daily devotions (Mon. thru Sat.) at 7:00 pm; and “To Start Your Day,” a daily email with a Bible reading and prayer, sent out at 6:00 am. If you’re not already getting them, please let us know. All information is available on our website.
The Men’s Bible Study continues to meet on Saturday morning at 8:00 am, only now, the meeting is on Zoom. The Women’s Bible Study, recently re-initiated, on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm on Zoom. Links for these meetings: You guessed it! On our website.
Pr. Tim has a check-in time every Tuesday at 2:00 pm on Zoom, and is available by phone anytime for any who need to check in with the church.
On Tuesday, Friday and Saturday mornings, there is someone at the church (front parking lot) to receive your gifts of food for Interfaith Community Services food pantry. We have been dedicated to the struggle to continue helping to feed the growing number of homeless in our neighborhood.
On Saturday mornings, the “Love Committee,” a group spearheaded by a number of vibrant young adults in our community to discuss issues related to social justice (systemic racism, homophobia, sexism, to name but a few), and how we as individuals, and as a church might best respond. Please check the website for more information.
Deacon Mindy continues to host a number of activities for our Youth, as well as confirmation classes from week to week. Sunday school is in full swing as well. All online.
Beyond that, we continue as best we can with our mission activities. We recently had a Mexico House build take place, that respected all the restrictions, but nonetheless put together a home for a family south of the border. The house was assembled a week later. God’s work getting done, even in the face of a pandemic!
We are in ongoing conversations with the Foyer de l’Esperance, our mission activity in Cameroon, with respect to how we might best support the girls with whom we’re working, going forward. There may be a need for a trip in the coming weeks, but COVID is making that a challenge. Nonetheless, these kids are being served by you, the members of ILC!
As you can see, there is a great deal in which you might participate. Please do. Please go to our website: https://www.godamong.us and click on the link that says “ILC ONLINE ACTIVITIES”. From there you can access links to most of what I’ve mentioned and more!
Beyond that, it remains important that you stay in touch with us. I know that Pr. Tim is leading the vicars in an every member “call” to check in on folks from time to time, but I hope you know that we are all, always ready to reach out in any way we can.
Please know that each of you are in my prayers! Although you may not necessarily feel all that blessed these days, please believe that you are! You are a beloved child of God, to whom God has gifted a lot; and with those blessings, the privilege of serving others! My dear sisters and brothers, you are called! Called to serve God, in the service of God’s people. Now more than ever.
In Christ’s service,
Pr. Luther
“Concert in the Courtyard", Wednesday Evening worship and fellowship
Please sign up here: https://www.godamong.us/post/wednesday-concerts-in-the-courtyard
- Before worship, around 9 am, Darrell and Nancy Datte host our after worship coffee/donut fellowship time (BYOC/D) on Zoom, and look forward to welcoming everyone in our community. Please think about joining in and saying hi to your brothers and sisters. That gathering can be found here:
https://zoom.us/j/98483096300?pwd=aTVJV0JJWkdsaG9ESFFMTlNuWVVDUT09