Mask Reminders and Communion.

30 Jul Mask Reminders and Communion.

Hi everybody! I’m already excited and looking forward to our gathering together again on Sunday. Please remember to wear a mask when you come. This is true for everyone over the age of eight years old. Our governor has stipulated various exceptions for this so be sure to read his executive order to find out if you qualify for an exception. When you are seated in the sanctuary, you are of course allowed to take off your mask if you are able to maintain social distancing from people outside your household.

 Pastoral reminders

Navigating this virus is filled with complexities and differences of opinions for all of us. Your elders have tried from the beginning of this several months ago to express our genuine support for you regardless of your views. There is room for disagreements among us, but there is far more at stake in the way we love and support each other in our disagreements. We must all work together to guard our unity. What we share together in Christ is incomparable to whatever differences of convictions we have about masks. I exhort you to remember that and consider Paul’s words to the Ephesian church: “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3). Application of these words is paramount for us at all times, but perhaps especially in these days. Are you more concerned about being right in your opinion about masks or humbly, gently, patiently, eagerly guarding and maintaining the unity of the Spirit? Surely the latter is far more important than the former. 

The Roman Christians were divided over the issue of eating meat that had been offered to idols. Without going into detail about that particular issue, Paul’s exhortation to them was to walk in love so as to avoid destroying each other. “For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died” (Rom. 14:15). Don’t let what you consider as good to be spoken of as evil (v. 16). Why? “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (v. 17). To say it in our context today, if your brother is grieved by your position on wearing masks, you are no longer walking in love. The kingdom of God is not a matter of wearing or not wearing a mask but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Then Paul adds, “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God” (vv. 19-20). Oh church, consider these words and put them into action today. We need these for the sake of our unity and the great work God is doing here among us. 

There is room for disagreement among us about the mask mandate. Does our governor have the constitutional right to order us to wear masks? Are we required to submit to him in this? Is our decision to wear masks compromising the authority of Christ over His church or is this humble submission and honor to governing authorities? There are differences of views on these questions. But I want to exhort you to consider again bigger, more important issues that are at stake for us. Your elders love Christ and love you, are committed to biblical fidelity and obedience, and serve you as God’s appointed shepherds over your souls. Hebrews 13:17 says this and explains your God-given duty in regard to your elders: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage for you.” So again the bigger, more important issue than any our opinions and views on masks is that your elders are telling you to wear a mask. This is what we believe is best for our church at this time because there is more at stake here in our church family than any of our individual opinions or rights. 

Let’s all humbly count others more significant than ourselves, looking out not only to our own interests but also each others’ interests (Phil. 2:3-4). Let’s love one another with brotherly affection and outdo one another in showing honor (Rom. 12:10). Let’s live in harmony with one another, refusing to be haughty, giving ourselves to humble tasks, never being wise in our own sight (Rom. 12:16). Let’s not use our freedoms as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another, knowing that the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal. 5:13-14). 

Last thing on this topic. Don’t miss the fact that this is a scenario that reveals a lot about your heart. Will you choose to forsake/stay away from the gathering of your church family because your elders are telling you to wear a mask for the sake of humble and joyful unity among us? If so, doesn’t that reveal something sinful in your heart? What if you chose to come to church ignoring/rebelling against your elders request to wear a mask, to demonstrate that you don’t have to wear one? That, too, would reveal a heart problem. And if you have been waiting to come back to church until masks are being worn, now is the time for you to come back. We’ve said it all along this journey: let’s love each other well and guard the unity God has created for us in Christ and by the Holy Spirit. God is sovereign so all is well. 

Communion this Sunday 
We have so missed this part of our regular worship, and we will observe The Lord’s Table this Sunday together. What better day to resume this celebration of our unity through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! There will be pre-packaged Communion elements available as you come into the sanctuary on the table in the back of the room, so please pick up what you need to be ready at the appropriate time. Also remember that starting this Sunday we will have full nursery and children’s classes BOTH SERVICES for kids up to 2nd grade. Our 3rd-5th grade class will meet during second service only. 

Pastor Kirk