“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV

Yesterday I spent part of the evening calling members of our congregation.  “Members of our congregation” is a poor way to describe what we are to one another.  In a very real sense, we are family.  I am missing our family, missing the hugs and handshakes and greetings and praises and concerns and disappointments.  What a joy it was to hear some of your voices!

The Devon Aire Community Church of the Nazarene hasn’t gone anywhere.  We successfully streamed a worship service last Sunday and have been amazed by the response, not just locally but from across the nation and the world.  We have learned from that first experience and are working to do a better job this coming Sunday.

We are sharing daily devotions for study, meditation, and encouragement.  We are taking prayer requests and streaming a live time of prayer.  We are serving as we are able, continuing together in our mission “to transform our community with the love of Christ by making the neighborhood church relevant once again.”

The people of Italy, during their nation-wide lock-down and overwhelming desperation, have begun responding to their plight in a surprising way.  They are opening their windows and going out on their balconies each evening to join their voices together in song.  “Whether by coincidence or design, the daily singing appointment is at 6 p.m., the exact time of the nightly reading of the death toll.  The racket echoing off the walls and courtyards doesn’t quite drown out the sadness of what’s happening, but it’s a reminder that by collectively deciding to stay apart, Italians might emerge from the storm with a lower toll than is expected today.”1

Like the Italians, we are learning how to remain united in spirit while staying physically apart.  Join us as we continue to join together in streamed worship and song on Sundays.  Pass along your prayer requests to any of the staff members.  Join us in prayer, during live streaming and any other time you are able.  Stay in contact with each other, to listen and encourage.

It is our job to bring Jesus’ presence into a world in need.  Use the strength and encouragement we gain from God and our connection to each other to reach our neighbors, co-workers, and community.  Serve them in love and with good works as you are able while confessing the hope we share.

Jesus is Lord, and He is faithful.  May our voices forever be joined in His praise!

1.     “Life in Italian Lockdown After a Tragic Coronavirus Denial”, Bloomberg Businessweek, March 18, 2020.  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-03-18/this-is-life-in-italy-during-the-coronavirus-lockdown