I love this quote from our Bishop, Tracy Malone. “We have been training our entire Christian lives for such a time as this: to put others before ourselves, to decide and act with compassion for the vulnerable, to testify to God as our Rock and Redeemer, to lift up the promise of resurrection, and to live as though we do indeed believe Christ is with us in this as in all things.” Deep in my core, I believe that we have been prepared by God as believers for all that is before us.

I wanted to encourage you that there have been many who have been joining in the live streaming on Sunday at 9:25 am.  We are hanging together. Services will continue to be live streamed at 9:25 am at least through April. You can join us by following the link here (YouTube) or here (Facebook). I’m so thankful for our technical volunteers who help us navigate.  As wearisome as it is to move everything online, it also presents a “low commitment, high invitation” opportunity to reach new people. The friend who is uncertain about showing up in person to a virtual Bible study or worship can check out the Facebook Live version with much of the social anxiety removed. People are more open to seeking the ancient grounding of eternal reassurance of personal faith in a resurrected and present hope. Remember to reach out with gentleness.

Please remember our Prayer Vigil at 5 pm every evening as we join together in lifting our hearts to God and being open to and aware of God’s communicating with us. If you would like details, a prayer guide and some people from our congregation for whom you might pray, please email mandyk@strongsvilleumc.org.  I’m grateful and proud of God’s people at SUMC who have been engaging people in zoom Bible studies and book studies as well as phone calls to check in on each other. Our shut-ins and at risk members have been called and many of them have been asking what they can be doing for us and seem well positioned to get through the next few weeks of this crisis. Thanks for all you are doing to be good neighbors and mission minded followers of Jesus.

With hope,

Pastor Dave