Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The past few weeks have been very challenging for all of us. Our world has gotten much smaller. Our governor for the sake of everyone’s health has ordered us to stay home. We cannot meet as a congregation so we have to find other ways to be the church. The circumstances we find ourselves in makes me think about the early church. The early Christians met in homes. They gathered for a meal and to share stories about Jesus. They did this because they were being persecuted by the Romans. When things got really bad the church went underground into the catacombs to meet. For the time being we are like the early church. Except we do have technology. I would like to offer our house churches a tool they can use to keep the faith. To teach the faith. It’s called Faith Five, Sit around your kitchen table. Light a candle. 1. Share your highs and lows. 2. Read a bible verse or story. 3. Talk about how the verse or story relates to your high and lows. 4. Pray for one another. 5. Bless one another by making the sign of the cross on each other’s forehead. Say you are a beloved child of God.
Try doing this each night. If you live alone ask a friend or family member to do this on the phone. Let me know how you are growing in faith by doing this. Tonight we pray for our Doctors and nurses and all medical personnel. We pray dear Lord that you might give them perseverance to endure as they battle the virus. Protect them from all harm. Give them your healing power. Give them strength, peace and comfort that you are with them. We pray for all those who are experiencing anxiety or loneliness. Surround them with your loving presence. We pray for Susie and Ron Kissel who are experiencing health issues for a restful night and your healing touch. In Jesus name we pray. Amen