Cornerstone!

The lockdown has been less than a week, the social restrictions a little longer, but it already feels way too long. Like many of you, I have a pattern that I follow on Sunday mornings. Mine involves being in the Gathering Space before the ABF’s start. I usually talk with Chris Neff, then chat with the people working at the Guest Services counter, wave at the door greeters and cafe workers, talk with numerous people on their way to their classes, then go through the building starting with the nurseries, then children’s classes, most of the ABF’s, etc. When I get into the Worship Center, I try to get a hug from Ed Hornburg, Stuart Duguid (who hugs everybody), Gary Williams and Dave Sarakun. When all of this will end, we don’t know, but it cannot come soon enough.

I just finished an Elder Meeting Video Conference Call. I am so encouraged by how these brothers are caring for the church and for the stories of how you are caring for one another. My sense is that if you were to describe our church as a boat, then it would be this: We are in a storm, we are taking on water, but there are a lot of people who are bailing. Let me share with you some of the stories of people who are helping to bail water.

The ABF’s took on the wonderful challenge of a 6-day, 24-hour prayer chain that started this Thursday at noon.

The daily Psalm devotionals have been received well.

A group of gals (Jenn, Deborah, Kathy, Kellie, Marilyn, Phyllis, Roseanna, Stephanie, Sandy, probably more) have been sewing masks to give to our nurses to share with their co-workers to help protect them at work. 

There are so many examples of members helping one another. People have done shopping for others, have helped with technology questions to get people connected to livestream opportunities, have called multiple people, and have helped people financially.

People have been sharing the gospel with co-workers. One of our nurses was able to lead a former co-worker to Christ this week.

The livestream viewership for Sunday morning and Wednesday evening has been very encouraging.

Whenever there is a a challenge that is set before us, there is for some, the initial rush of adrenaline, the resolve to rise up, band together, face this and fix it. But, this challenge does not look like a sprint, but a marathon. You cannot run a marathon on adrenaline or resolve. We are bailing the water, but after a while, our arms are going to get sore, and we are going to want to stop. I think that by this time next week and certainly the next, we will all really need to lean hard upon the Lord AND upon one another. We will need to encourage one another. Some of our people are facing and will face difficult times financially and we will need to love another in word and deed. 

Already you are asking when we can meet together again. Resurrection Day is coming and what are we going to do? I think some of you would actually come to a Member’s Meeting now if we had one! The bottom line is: I don’t know. Some of the ideas that I am toying with are: Doing a drive-in gathering, where people sit in their cars (pick-up trucks in the back, then vans, then sedans, then little cars in front), parked in the South parking lots facing a platform. Or, perhaps having a Saturday night service, then 2 Sunday morning services where people sign up for a service to attend, and come and sit far enough apart, but still be able to be together. We could not do this now, but when things start to get eased, this may be a temporary response. But, what I do know is that whenever we are finally able to gather again, it is going to be Resurrection Day! We will not miss that day, even if we celebrate it in May or June. 

Our area is getting hit really hard with Covid-19 and will affect us as a church for a long time to come. Beloved, I pray for you over and over that this will help us look more and more like Jesus and that we will exercise an affectionate care for one another. I see this in so many cases, and want to urge you to press on pilgrim. Jesus is worth a beautiful and faithful bride.

The winner of our family video skit challenge was hands down the Trepanowskis, the unanimous choice of our esteemed panel of judges. Clink the link and you will see why.

Finally, Cathi and I have been really jazzed to hear how so many of you tried her bread recipe and not only made some bread with it, but have shared those loaves with others. I actually made two loaves this week as well. Today’s recipe is for Granola. Again, the idea behind these are to give you recipes you can make and enjoy with your family and share with others. 

Cathi’s Granola

4 1/2 c. oats 2/3 c. honey

1/2 c. powdered milk 2/3 c. vegetable oil (I prefer coconut oil)

1 c. sunflower seeds 2 tsp. vanilla

1 c. wheat germ 1-2 T. cinnamon

1/2 c. sesame, flax, chia seeds 1 T. molasses

1/2 c. coarsely chopped walnuts,

pecans and/or almonds

Heat honey, oil and molasses in a sauce pan to pre-boil. Add vanilla and cinnamon to sauce pan. In a very large bowl mix oats, powdered milk, seeds, wheat germ and nuts. Pour warm mixture over oat mixture. Stir very well!! Divide mixture evenly onto 2 foil-lined jelly-roll pans (1/2 sheet pans). Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes and watch carefully at the end so that it doesn’t get too brown. Let cool and store sealed containers.

Grace and peace (and happy eating),

Bob