Life Together While Separated

"He is not here, He is risen." Matthew 28:6

We know now that the church will continue to be empty through the month of May. Just like the tomb was empty! Yet, the resurrected Lord has been manifested among His people in the past month. The church has never been only a building. The Body of Christ is the life of the church that lives in its people. And that truth will always remain so, despite any challenge. The Church of Christ and the Body of Christ are alive!

Online Communion  I saw a different view of the Upper Room when the church celebrated its first online Communion service on Palm Sunday. By preparing your Communion table at home with your family, all of us were able to share Communion together.  This time of remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for us was especially meaningful for the family of Christ. Even though we were physically separated, were together as one Body in Christ. 

Although physically separated, we were - and are - one in Christ. We are everywhere and forever connected by the Blood and Body of Christ. The resurrecting Christ lives in the temple of the body of Christ!

KIDZ Zone The children of the church  were also able to observe Palm Sunday and Easter together! Palms and Easter eggs were delivered to all of our little ones so that they could observe the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. And to celebrate their new lives through Christ. 

We had an amazing virtual choir and the KIDZ brought to us the Easter story through Resurrection symbols. The staff and leaders are operating in ways that we have never done before. As we live "boxed up" in our homes, we are also learning to live "outside the box." The human spirit arises, and our creativity is extended. We are more connected in our relationships as we stay in contact with one another, sharing our love and concern for each other. 

Life is manifested in the Body of Christ. 

We are claiming victory over sin and death! Our faith has always been about eternal life.

How do we do life together during this pandemic? 

How do we experience the togetherness of church and maintain relationships when we are not gathering in person?

THROUGH OUR RELATIONSHIP IN CHRIST.

KidZone continues to meet at KIDZoom on Sunday at 4 P.M. As always, the Kidz read and learn about a Bible story, talk about the story's meaning for their lives, and get to hang out together every week! 

In May we will learn about how life was for the Disciples and other believers after "Jesus returned to Heaven." The Kidz will also learn about the early church in the Book of Acts.

LIFE GROUPS

Some Life Groups will continue to meet online by using "Zoom." These Life Groups will continue to meet, pray, and study Scripture together virtually. I hope you take this unique opportunity for real-time human conversations that let us connect in a small group and help you grow in your faith life. I look forward to the day when we can be together again.

Summer Trimester Life Groups begin on May 24th and sign-up starts May 10th. Here is how you can sign up: scfbc.org/lg. Make sure you include your email address and your phone number (if you are signing up for a Life Group for the first time) so that the leader can contact you with information about  the Group.

In addition to Life Group meetings, I hope you will set aside time this month to practice solitude, silence, and any of the spiritual disciplines that call to you: Prayer, Bible study, contemplation & meditation, journaling, and reaching out to others. These disciplines, as well as activities that help us grow mentally and spiritually, can lead us to feel calmer during this difficult time.