Pastor's DeskJesus Has Risen!
Pastor Marlene Ciranowicz
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April 2020
That fact has not changed despite the health care crisis we find ourselves in at the moment. The resurrection is what we need to focus on, especially at a time like this! With his resurrection we have been given hope that no matter what happens in the world around us, Jesus is alive! While we can’t be together physically as a congregation, we can be together spiritually. That has not changed. It’s just different for a time. It will get better. People survived the plague as well as the Spanish flu. If this were not true, none of us would be here today!
So, while we are in difficult times we are not in hopeless times. We must all do our part, as hard as it is, to flat the curve. I am happy to tell you that as I speak to our local congregation on a weekly basis, to date no one has the virus nor their family members. Isn’t that something to praise God for? And we have a purpose in this time of crisis. Yes we do. People who know us but do not know Jesus are watching us and seeing how we are reacting to the health crisis. Now more than ever we can be a great witness for Him. Perhaps our purpose is for “such a time as this!”
How? First, by staying calm. Our help is in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth! Are we showing we believe that? Secondly, it’s a wonderful time to show God’s love in the midst of all the greed and anxiety the world is showing. I had a wonderful opportunity to reach out to someone who is unsaved by offering her some toilet paper. Who knew toilet paper could be an evangelist tool! A friendship is now developing. Thirdly, as God’s children, are we not a praying people? Then let’s increase our prayer time and pray, pray, pray not only for ourselves and loved ones but for those who are fighting the virus, both patients and health care workers. There is no better time than now to hold up these brave souls as they are tired and weary. And the fourth thing we can do? Look around, be sensitive, find ways to show kindness. And lastly, do what is being asked of us. Even if you don’t think it is necessary. Why? If you do it and the health care officials are wrong who has been hurt? No one. But if they are right and you are wrong, who has been hurt? A lot of people, which may include your loved one!
As Christians we have a wonderful opportunity to act right now. Colossians 4: 5 (written by the Apostle Paul under very dire circumstances) says this: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” What an opportunity we have this very moment to share God’s love. The question is: “What are we going to do with it?” May we seize the moment to let people know God has not forgotten them. See you on the website on Sunday!
See you Sunday and remember to bring a friend!
Blessings,
Pastor Marlene
That fact has not changed despite the health care crisis we find ourselves in at the moment. The resurrection is what we need to focus on, especially at a time like this! With his resurrection we have been given hope that no matter what happens in the world around us, Jesus is alive! While we can’t be together physically as a congregation, we can be together spiritually. That has not changed. It’s just different for a time. It will get better. People survived the plague as well as the Spanish flu. If this were not true, none of us would be here today!
So, while we are in difficult times we are not in hopeless times. We must all do our part, as hard as it is, to flat the curve. I am happy to tell you that as I speak to our local congregation on a weekly basis, to date no one has the virus nor their family members. Isn’t that something to praise God for? And we have a purpose in this time of crisis. Yes we do. People who know us but do not know Jesus are watching us and seeing how we are reacting to the health crisis. Now more than ever we can be a great witness for Him. Perhaps our purpose is for “such a time as this!”
How? First, by staying calm. Our help is in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth! Are we showing we believe that? Secondly, it’s a wonderful time to show God’s love in the midst of all the greed and anxiety the world is showing. I had a wonderful opportunity to reach out to someone who is unsaved by offering her some toilet paper. Who knew toilet paper could be an evangelist tool! A friendship is now developing. Thirdly, as God’s children, are we not a praying people? Then let’s increase our prayer time and pray, pray, pray not only for ourselves and loved ones but for those who are fighting the virus, both patients and health care workers. There is no better time than now to hold up these brave souls as they are tired and weary. And the fourth thing we can do? Look around, be sensitive, find ways to show kindness. And lastly, do what is being asked of us. Even if you don’t think it is necessary. Why? If you do it and the health care officials are wrong who has been hurt? No one. But if they are right and you are wrong, who has been hurt? A lot of people, which may include your loved one!
As Christians we have a wonderful opportunity to act right now. Colossians 4: 5 (written by the Apostle Paul under very dire circumstances) says this: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” What an opportunity we have this very moment to share God’s love. The question is: “What are we going to do with it?” May we seize the moment to let people know God has not forgotten them. See you on the website on Sunday!
See you Sunday and remember to bring a friend!
Blessings,
Pastor Marlene