COVID-19 Update from the Pastor

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate, I would like to share with you some words that Martin Luther wrote to a fellow pastor amid an outbreak of the plague in 1527. Luther writes:

“God has created medicines and provided us with intelligence to guard and take good care of the body so that we can live in good health… act like a man who wants to help put out the burning city. What else is the epidemic but a fire which instead of consuming wood and straw devours life and body? …Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above. See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God… If the people in a city were to show themselves bold in their faith when a neighbor’s need so demands, and cautious when no emergency exists, and if everyone would help ward off contagion as best he can, then the death toll would indeed be moderate. But if some are too panicky and desert their neighbors in their plight, and if some are so foolish as not to take precautions but aggravate the contagion, then the devil has a heyday and many will die. On both counts this is a grievous offense to God and to man—here it is tempting God; there it is bringing man into despair.” (Martin Luther, “Whether One May flee From a Deadly Plague,” Luther’s Works vol. 43, p. 131–132)

Luther takes an approach that we all might emulate. Rather than being dismissive or panicking, we acknowledge the seriousness of the situation in taking precautions for the sake of those around us, all while trusting in our Heavenly Father.

To slow/reduce the spread of the virus and keep from overwhelming hospitals, medical professionals, and their resources, the state and federal governments are taking and recommending strong measures to establish social distancing. During this pandemic, this social distancing is one way that we can love our neighbor in a similar fashion to Luther’s own suggestion.

In our congregational life, we too will be taking appropriate steps as we care for our own health within the congregation as well as for the community.

We will be moving all of our worship services online. You will be able to participate in the Wednesday evening services at 6:30pm and the Sunday morning services at 10:30am via live stream.

The services will be streamed live via our YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeKkm3LY3uqU0-57RQzC5-g

They will also be streamed directly to the church’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/FirstLutheranOdenton/

During the week, information intended for the church office is preferably received via phone or email at this time.

Additional devotional resources can also be found at http://alecfisher.me/

As the pandemic continues, please continue to consult the CDC website:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

and the Maryland department of Health:

https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/

I will continue to provide updates regarding congregational life. Throughout all of this we will also be seeking new avenues of interconnectedness within the congregation as well as find ways that we as a congregation might serve our community. We will also be streaming Bible studies and devotionals as well as seek out resources for communion study online in addition to utilizing our phone lines. I pray that our new online resource would help us to celebrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ even in such uncertain times. Even in the midst of illness and cultural chaos, God will see us through this.

New information about this virus is discovered every day, and with it the situation changes everyday. We are told that this will not be a fast process. We could be looking at a big change in the way that we do things even for the next few months. It won’t always be easy, but we will take it one day at a time.

During this time, I pray that we would discover new avenues of relationship and interconnectedness—even at a distance—and new opportunities to serve our broader community, especially those who have no congregational home to rely on. We don’t know how this will affect the local economy and those around us, but I encourage you to think about how we might serve those those in need when those greater consequences become evident. When life for those around us becomes uncertain that is often when the gospel is heard best. Let’s show others that even when it seems everything is going to pieces, we have peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. We have hope in him. Our Lord reigns over heaven and earth. He will bring us through this.

I leave you with the words of Jesus:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Please pray with me:

Almighty God, Heavenly Father, give us grace to trust you during this time of illness and distress. In mercy put an end to this pandemic that afflicts us. Grant relief to those who suffer, and comfort all who mourn. Sustain all medical personnel in their labors and cause your people ever to serve you in righteousness and holiness; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect in Times of Epidemic)

The peace of Christ be with you all,

Pastor Alec

Worship Online

Until further notice, First Evangelical will be holding our worship services online on our YouTube channel.  Watch this space for announcement of when we’re planning to resume service, and whether it’ll be held in the chapel or outdoors.

Note: online service videos follow our Online Worship Bulletin.