Happy Wednesday everyone!
As we appear to be in the middle of another wave of coronavirus in our county, many are contemplating what to do. I spent an hour with several other pastors in our community yesterday sharing thoughts and ideas. Their responses in their own congregations have ranged from A to Z. For High Places, we will move back from the small auditorium to the larger one for the next week or two and keep watching.
I didn’t realize how much I missed the smaller auditorium over the last year until we returned to it a few months ago. The main thing I miss? – Hearing your voices singing. When we get so spread out in the larger auditorium it makes singing together much more complicated. I have missed hearing your voices so much over these past months and the thought of not hearing them for the next few weeks is frustrating.
I can only ask that you extend us whatever grace you can as we adjust and move around. Navigating community life for the last 18 months has been exhausting. Since we’re a church filled with people from A to Z, there is never a decision we make that leaves everyone feeling great. From shut-downs, to masks, to distancing, to singing, to arranging music – what one person loves one week, could be the thing that encourages another to stay home the next week.
I can only say, we’re doing our best and that we love each and every one of you, wherever you may fall on the spectrum of decisions each week. I promise you that my phone was filled with texts Sunday morning of people who wanted to be there, but due to health concerns, elected to take the week off and watch online. I tend to get dozens of these each week and it warms my heart to know that even when we are absent in body, we can still be together in spirit. I miss having our entire church family together – like more than I can put into words.
Whatever your circumstance or situation, just know you are loved.
Here’s our News & Notes….
Tonight (Wednesday) 7:00 PM, we will meet in the kid movie room for Bible study while the youth gather in the rest of the building. Tonight, we expand from the parable of the prodigal son to the three-part story arc Jesus shared upon receiving criticism that He hung out with “sinners.” We will identify real-life places that we might be able to share these stories with others and spread the love and grace of God as we go.
This Sunday… We will meet in the large auditorium. We will not require masks, but those who are comfortable are encouraged to wear them as they are comfortable (but I do love seeing your face you sing, so there’s that!).
We will work hard to get song lyrics in folks’ hands because it is too hard to sing along without words sometimes. To the degree we are each comfortable, I would love to have us stand up and move a little closer together during music this week. Those who are not comfortable, I totally understand – no pressure.
Periodic Tables…. Although the article will not appear in the printed paper until Friday, an online version of it is here. This was part three in a story sharing series I did for the Faith Column. The other two are also online. God has truly been working in Oak Ridge because of this initiative. I am seeing so many come together in ways we were not pre-pandemic. Please stay in prayer for the next six weeks that we might honor God and wonderful power of His love in this event. The city is watching us, and we’re moving in the Spirit in great anticipation for what God is about to do.
You can read the article here: https://www.oakridger.com/story/opinion/2021/08/11/periodic-tables-sharing-elements-community/5544469001/
Our website is almost ready for “prime time.” Get a deeper view of what we will be doing and what is coming, pull up a chair and give it a look: https://www.oakridgeperiodictables.com/
Again, GREAT things are happening. Sometimes, when all we may see are Sunday’s, we can forget how powerfully God SHAPES us and our community Monday through Saturday. I don’t think I have ever been more excited since transitioning to the lead pastor role as I am right now. I can literally SEE OUR 10-YEAR VISION plan taking shape, day by day.
There are many other things to announce – like our partnership with the school system, our food deliveries from the Farmer’s Market, our Community Thanksgiving meal, young adult ministries shaping up, youth and children’s fall plans, our Christmas program, and our February adult retreat in Gatlinburg (which I need to take deposits on by next month).
Oh, and I forgot to mention – Darlene Roby’s sewing class, which happened last week. I just popped my head in twice and there were a dozen ladies having so much fun in there I almost joined myself!
Good, good stuff.
Love you all. Miss many of you but understand.
“To Him who is able to do exceedingly above anything we can think, or even imagine, be all glory.” ~ The Apostle Paul