God's Guidance Will Keep Us Safe
Dear MBC Church Family,
“Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s … beneficial,” the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church (I Cor. 6:12). That could describe some of our concerns today as we see first-hand the pressure mounting to lift shelter-in-place orders. Some of the pressure comes out of political, financial, and at times purely selfish interests, without considering the larger impact those decisions may have on others. When so much is at stake, we need wisdom to discern truth from error. We also need God’s guidance to keep us safe and to not simply follow after others.
The pressure is on as well to reopen churches, but we still have to be guided by the Holy Spirit to let us know when it’s safe for us to come back together. One or two people at a time coming back may be okay. But it’s so easy to forget protocol and forget that there’s still a hidden enemy lurking. Just like making the initial decision to shelter-in-place on Sunday mornings instead of attending service in-person was not a measure of one’s faith, neither is the decision to return to service or not. The Apostle Paul also told the Roman church similarly, “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind,” and, I’ll add, fully comfortable in coming into the church building. Regardless of what others do, we will take a more conservative approach and wait until the risk is low before we announce to the public that the church is back to normal again.
When will that take place? That’s one of the questions we can ask God during our Virtual Day of Prayer on May 15th. That day is a time to seek God’s face, to go before Him and to also seek answers and direction for our lives. Things are not normal and will not return to normal for a while, but we can ask God to help us navigate our way around this pandemic to keep us all safe. We can also use this day of prayer to ask God to protect our communities and PG County from further destruction of the plague and to heal the ravages that have already taken place. Let’s pray for a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to blow on us and heal us. “We’re All In This Together. Let Us All Pray Together.”
More details can be found on the church’s website where we can also submit prayer requests and testimonies to be shared during our worship services and daily prayer times. Until we’re able to meet again in-person, continue to let others know that they can join us remotely. Here are the details to pass along: by Skype: https://join.skype.com/P8TRBZjej8aU; by conference call: Dial-in: (978) 990-5159, Access Code: 294069; or by direct dial without an access code: (339) 209-5068.
If lines are busy, text the following to either number: CALL ME. The conference line will call you back. Follow the prompts to join.
· Sunday morning Worship Service (11:30am - Touchless Worship, social distancing)
· Monday through Saturday Noontime Prayer (12:00pm-1:00pm)
· Thursday evening Bible Study (7:00pm – 8:00pm)
Additionally, someone will always be at the church from noon to 1:00pm every day of the week to pray for anyone who feels overwhelmed, and can join either in-person or remotely through Skype or conference call. The grounds of the church are open as well for anyone who may want to stop by to meditate and pray in a safe environment outdoors to stay in touch with God as they walk The Stations of the Cross.
God bless and keep you and your family.
Dennis V. Jefferson, Pastor
Meadows Baptist Church
