We’ve been recording our virtual worship since mid-March, and as part of that I begin with some opening thoughts and then light these candles to signify the beginning of our worship.
June 7th comments included the admission that it has been a stressful week…on top of a few stressful months.
The deadly arrest of George Floyd and the rioting and looting that stole headlines away from protest efforts to begin desperately needed talk about systemic racism; after months of working our way through this pandemic has all been very tiring spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically.
In lighting the candles I invited people to “Imagine the gentle warmth of these candles…softly comforting your hands…take a few deeps breaths….and feel the gentle warmth of God’s Spirit comforting our aching souls…”
I even left other lights off and pulled the candle wicks up a bit to make the candle light bigger and brighter.
A bit later we talked about 'light' being a common symbol for the presence of God. From there we moved to Jesus declaration that He is “the Light of the world.”
This not to excuse us from having very real and long overdue conversations regarding the lack of racial parity, or our best responses for all to the COVID 19 outbreak...
...but rather for us to pause from time to time and collect ourselves – and catch our breath that we know as God’s Spirit.
Join us for our virtual worship by sending your email to prinevillepc@gmail.com.
Together We Serve,
Pastor Mike