Jim McMillin writes “a short update from Central Florida”—
A “reformed” church we previously attended here resumed in person services today. Among other things they roped off every other pew and required all congregants to wear masks (seriously), avoided hymnals, offering plates, and, of course, refrained from celebrating the Supper. I did not witness this first hand (thankfully). I read about the “requirements” to attend the “live” service when I checked their website after being told about this event by a young friend that has been attending said previous church. He said he just could not bring himself to attend such a “service” unless he wore a Guy Fawkes mask (he tickles me) so he came with us to worship instead. You can’t make this stuff up.
Another former church plans to resume next week with similar restrictions such as limiting the attendees to 1/4 of the capacity of the large sanctuary. No word on mask requirements (or immunization records, etc……”papiers, bitte”). Sounds like East Berlin to me.
Maybe it is just me, but somehow I found these “services” to be even more bizarre, ludicrous, and repulsive than “live-streaming”. I wonder if they will publish photos of the rows of masked sheep for the website. Somehow I would find it impossible to keep a straight face trying to preach to such a scene. And I don’t think I would be laughing. Rather weeping. What damage is being done to the Bride I cannot comprehend. And I haven’t even begun to delve into the deep seated paranoia that will persist into the future…
The only bright spot I can see in all of this is how intensely it has illuminated for me my enormous need for the fellowship of the brethren and how much I long for a return (if ever possible) to Ps 122:1…… “I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go up to the house of the Lord!”
Amen! Sans mask and anti-social distancing.
4:29 pm on May 4, 2020
