Dear friends,

Worship is at the heart of who we are as followers of Christ.  These past few months have definitely been a challenge as we’ve had to pivot to find new ways to worship outside our beautiful and beloved sanctuary in the midst of a global pandemic.  I’m thankful for everyone’s flexibility and patience during this time.  I’m also thankful for the myriad people who’ve jumped in to help make worship meaningful.

This Sunday, our Worship on the Lawn will be a special time of thanks-giving and praise to God.  Sadly, it will be the last outdoor service we offer for several weeks.  The weather is so uncertain in December and January that I don’t want to have to make decisions at the last minute each week about whether we’re able to worship outside or not.  If there’s one thing I and others have struggled with most during the pandemic, it’s the lack of consistency.  Things are always changing and evolving.  It’s hard to plan too far out because of the inconsistent nature of our current world.  Thus, I want to provide some consistency in our church life when I’m able.

Online worship has been an effective and meaningful way for us to worship together, and that will continue to be our primary method for worship in the coming weeks.  Due to the rise in COVID numbers across our country, we remain unable to safely worship indoors.

One thing I’m looking forward to is Christmas Eve.  I have a team that is working to plan a beautiful candlelight communion service on the lawn at 4:00pm.  There will be more details in coming weeks, but in the meantime, I hope you’ll make plans to attend with your family.

This Advent season promises to be far from traditional and anything but normal … yet it’s a world just like the one we’re living in now that Jesus Christ came to save.  In the midst of the current craziness, I cling to the Light of Christ.  It’s that Light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never overcome it.  Thank God for that!!

Living in Light,

Rev. Malinda Weaver