Dear Congregation,
Greetings. I pray it is well with your soul!
Those of you who were present in worship last Sunday, either physically in the Sanctuary or on Facebook, heard me express my concern about how low our worship attendance has become. CCC Sunday in-person attendance has fallen to about 20 worshipers, and an on-line presence of 8-10. Actually, at our most sparsely attended recent service, there were only 12 people present.
I recognize the many factors that account for such poor attendance—the Covid pandemic and restrictions, illness and health problems, traveling, work commitments, and conflicts with other important life events. But I also realize that it’s easy to let making regular worship attendance a priority in the fabric of one’s life slip away.
In our Church By-Laws expectations of members are stated. “Active members shall pledge themselves to attend services of worship with reasonable regularity, avail themselves of the Sacraments, live a Christian life to the best of their ability, share in the life and work of the church fellowship, contribute to the support of the church and its benevolent programs, and seek diligently after the spiritual welfare of one another and others in the community.”
Know that your presence contributes to your own spiritual health and enhances the worship experience of others that are with you. We come to be reminded again and again, and to thank and praise the One who has given us life and who we recognize as the Creator of our world and who is love itself. Events in the nightly news are beyond challenging. We need to come to the Source of life-giving water to restore our souls, our lord, Jesus Christ. This is His church, and we are His people.
The words to a contemporary Christian hymn “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship” by Craig & Dean Phillips came to my mind as I wrote this letter.
Come, now is the time to worship
Come, now is the time to give your heart
Come, just as you are, to worship
Come, just as you are, before your God
Come.
In worship you now have the option to mask or not to mask. You may determine for yourself how you interact with others—hugs or not, shaking hands or fist bumps, social distancing limits, hand sanitizer use, etc.
Following worship, you also have the opportunity to connect with your church family and welcome visitors. A time for Fellowship and Refreshments during the coffee hour in Kelsey Hall resumes this Sunday.
We’ll be focusing on the prophet Amos and his message. The sermon title is “Hard Words” as that’s often what prophets were called to relay from God when they were being faithful.
I’m so glad to be back at CCC after my two months’ absence and would love to worship together with each and every one of you this Sunday.
God Bless You!
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Candy
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