Thank you for praying for your elders. Last night we narrowly decided to follow the Governor’s directive and not sing in worship through Dec. 14. We imagine the division in the room last night is reflective of the congregation and, accordingly, some of you are encouraged while others are discouraged. In the past, scriptural exhortations to unity might have seemed to us unnecessary, but now Paul’s words are important: “[we] urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:1ff).
Over the next four Sundays we will still have music in worship, soloists will be able to sing, and you will still be able to participate in various ways. Of course, those of you worshiping at home can sing louder than ever and, for the rest of us, the directive does not forbid humming or mouthing words along with the worship leaders. Nor does it forbid raising hands, kneeling, praying the words of the songs being sung, and so on. Overall, there is a great deal to be thankful for. Unlike early spring, we are still gathering for worship and enjoying the historic means of grace: hearing the word preached, taking the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, praying together, and enjoying slightly-muffled fellowship.
In all this, there is little doubt the Lord is revealing to us the place of the worship of God in our lives. For some, Covid has been a convenient way to end a habit that had lost its meaning. But for others — hopefully most of us — we are discovering what David was thinking and feeling when he wrote, “I rejoiced when I heard them say, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” And though for the first time in 25 years we will not open the Advent season by belting out “O Come All Ye Faithful,” it may also be true that for the first time we fully appreciate the lines in the third stanza, “Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation/Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!” It’s likely that a year from now we will sing those words with much greater understanding, and much deeper passion, before the host of heaven.
Finally, though Covid-19 cases in Washington are increasing, there are no new restrictions on our gatherings of which we are aware. If you are a small group leader or a ministry lay-leader, you may continue to gather at your own discretion, or after consultation with the elder who has oversight. You are by no means expected to gather in person, whether you are leading or attending, if you are uneasy about potential infection.
I love and appreciate you all, wherever you stand on these issues. When Christ called us, he knew we were widely varied in gifting, temperament, and outlook, yet we share “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” We go forward together on the cornerstone of Christ, running the race marked out before us, building his Church for his glory while continuing to pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.”