The Power of Love
Covid-19 cases in our community are on the upswing. Like so many people, I was hoping it was all behind us and we were through it all. But we're not. This week I learned that a church in our area had over 100 cases of people with Covid-19 and over 20 were in the hospital. That's rough, and we should be praying for them and everyone affected by this pandemic.
Because of this, for this Sunday's worship service, we are asking everyone to wear a mask while inside, to maintain social distancing and to stay home if you are sick or have been in close contact with someone who has been exposed to Covid-19.
It is not an easy decision to make, but to protect the most vulnerable, to support our local front line workers, and to do all we can to serve each other, we are taking these steps. We will evaluate the situation on a week to week basis, and communicate with you along the way. Being able to have our services online is a great option for many people.
So thank you for your patience and understanding. Thank you for being a loving and kind church. We continue to walk by faith, trusting God to see us through this time. Please be in prayer for those deeply affected by this pandemic.
5 Ways to Make a Difference this Sunday @ Bridges
- Wear a mask when you are around others. This Sunday we are asking everyone to wear a mask while inside the church facility. We will take this week by week.
- Keep your social distance. We will show love from a distance.
- Wash your hands. This one is plenty self explanatory.
- Stay home if you are sick. Worship from home, rest and get better.
- Be patient with others. This is a hard time for everyone, but love is patient with others. People may not agree but we are called to love and be patient anyway.
The Why Behind the What: Why we do what we do is as important if not more important than what we do.
This week we are looking at Colossians 3:12-17. I was struck by how "others centric" we are called to be as followers of Jesus. Reading through this passage, it made me think of what I was willing to do for others. How far am I willing to go to sacrifice for others? How far am I willing to take care of and support others?
Going through Covid-19 has been a long and difficult road for all of us, but in the midst of everything, God is using this time to teach us to love. This is a time for us to continue to shine His love to others. It is a time for sacrifice and humility. It is a time to serve others as best we can.
Here's the passage - let the Holy Spirit speak to you as you read His word and process how to live it out.
You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. - Colossians 3:12-13