Hi First Presbyterian,
It’s time for our Mid-Week Meet-Up. As we progress through this pandemic, the new habits we are learning are becoming normal for some of us. Probably for many more of us, this all still feels stifling, alienating, and saddening. Yet, as Christians, we know that God's plans for the world transcend what we can see with our eyes. In the New Testament, "hope" or "hoping" is mentioned 82 times. In a letter to his young ministry partner Titus, Paul refers to the future return of Jesus to the earth as "the blessed hope" (Titus 2:13). In Christ, there are reasons to look forward with joyful expectation. I offer this pray for us today as a way to acknowledge the feelings that many of you have and to pray for faith that God is bringing us into a better future. Let us pray:
For all that we have lost and are missing so greatly during this pandemic, Lord hear our prayer.
For the sadness that grows because of missing our closeness as a community, Lord hear our prayer.
For the fear of wondering what may have permanently changed as a result of all this, Lord hear our prayer.
For the hope that this will all come to an end soon, Lord hear our prayer.
For the joy of knowing that we will one day be able to embrace our brothers and sisters in Christ again, Lord hear our prayer.
For the yearning we have to lift our voices together in song again, Lord hear our prayer.
For the faith to know that you are always with us no matter our circumstances, Lord hear our prayer. Amen.
Because of Christ, we know that the darkness gives way to the light, despair gives way to hope, and weeping gives way to laughter. Jesus said that “you who weep now” can feel blessed, because you know that laughter awaits you (Luke 6:21). Jesus said that “those who mourn” can feel blessed, because they know that comfort awaits them (Matthew 5:4). When our current view of the world is bleak, that it when we must rely on the gift of faith. Better days are coming. Trust that God is faithful and will fulfill all God’s promises. And remember these words of Jesus: “I told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)
Peace to you,
Pastor Neff