A New Day and A Return

Let me start with an image of hope and restoration.  A vaccine it appears is in the works and likely will be in our communities and world this winter/spring.  Imagine the virus threat pretty much gone.  Imagine returning to Easter worship on Sunday April 4th with trumpets, a safe, full congregation, communion, and the proclamation of hope and salvation because of God’s victory over fear and death.  It is a very strong possibility. 

 If this is the future, come summer, we will have a lot of work to do: Contacting everyone and welcoming them back into church community life, stained glass window project rekindled, youth mission trips happening and a renewed home visitation ministry active.  This is all very possible; life restored. ​

But until then, we wait.  December and January, because of Covid-19, the world is facing its darkest time.  Hospitals are overrun. Members of this congregation not only have the virus, but some have barely escaped death while others, will be forever physically compromised.  Sports are shutting down.  And the church council has set a policy that if all the schools return to schooling online, we will return to worship online again.  Here are several bits of information for everyone to know.

1.  Starting December 6th, worship will return to online.   It can be accessed through Glen Cary’s Facebook page or Glen Cary’s webpage. 
2. Christmas Eve worship will be one service, in the parking lot at 4:00, ending with a congregation wide candle lightening event, singing Silent Night with lights in the parking lot.  It should be a very powerful and meaningful event.
3. The stewardship committee asks everyone to use their 2020 pledges for the next year (2021) and if able, to give a one-time end of the year increased gift to the ministry of Glen Cary.  Keeping the church strong financially is a high priority and giving everyone the chance to grow in faith by sharing your resources with the mission is a wise and meaningful response. 
4. Everyone, please be wise and safe during the last stages of this pandemic.  It seems as though we are in the 5th inning of a 9 inning contest.  Avoiding the virus just as a vaccine appears to be forthcoming is prudent. 
5.  The church council is working on an annual meeting plan where everyone can be informed of congregational budgeting, planning and voting agendas which can done without meeting in person.  Details will be forthcoming.  

Whether you know it or not, this year, 2020 and parts of 2021, fit into biblical themes found throughout all of scripture.  The world through time and history has faced events like this.  War, disease, famine and other such tragedies have returned people to the proper awareness that we are not in control.  God is.  God is our rock and shield in times of trouble.  When all is said and done, may this time remind us of the sacredness of life, the message of the Gospel and re-teach us what is truly important. 

See you in church (on-line again)
Pastor Gary Guptill