Dear Friends,
I don’t know about you, but last week felt like a year to me. I was really doing alright. The days were long, but there were some small victories on Zoom, learning how to use an audio app for recording messages, I reopened Face Book after 3 years away, and was thrilled the ways an old-fashioned phone tree helped our St. Luke members.
The first time we didn’t have church on Sunday, was kind of OK for me. The next week, not so much. I missed seeing all of you. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed interacting with everyone and seeing the greeters and ushers and all the servants, smelling coffee and watching the kids grab their favorite cookie(s) on the way to faith formation. I worshiped while drinking coffee on my couch. It was lonely even though know many of you were worshiping with me.
I will be really, really, excited to see your faces again!
True confession, I have never been a person who cries easily, but I have cried at unexpected times when thinking of you. The truth of the matter is THIS FEELS HARD BECAUSE IT IS HARD!
Here we are. It’s the last day of March. I’ve been working from home for almost 2 weeks. Many of you have done so as well. And it feels hard. It is not the same.
During this global pandemic, the staff promises to keep doing what we always do: pray for you, teach, worship and speak with you even though it is all done by phone and technology.
I love the creativity I’m seeing on social media – the virtual concerts and prayers written in sidewalk chalk., some of the humor (TRAVIS! LORI B!) I rest assured in God’s unfailing love for us and for all that God has made, even amid fear, disease, distance, loss, and death.
And, this is hard. Just like you, I can get overwhelmed. I am mentally exhausted. I am desperately trying to readjust. I miss my people. I am taking it one day at a time. Today I am humming “It is well with my soul” and imagining you are doing the same. It will be so good to sing together again!
My goal today is to pray for you by name as I go through the church directory, to connect with Pastor Dave and Jonathan via zoom, and maybe dance around the kitchen again tonight while cleaning up after dinner.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Your sister in Christ, Sharon Ross
Well said sister! I miss all of you at St. Luke’s! We are so blessed to have a fantastic church family @ Faith Lutheran Church of Rotunda West, FL.
We have settled in Englewood FL. God’s blessings to you and all St. Luke’s Saints! ♥️♥️
Louis,
So good to know you have a great church home!
Thank you Sharon – I also REALLY miss my St. Luke’s family. I talk to my son and grandchildren regularly but I really miss their hugs, and the hugs of my friends. The opportunity to worship on-line is a true blessing. I have to admit, when singing along with Jonathan I am very much aware that my singing sounds much better when blended with the voices of our entire community of Christ. Miss you – and everyone at St. Luke’s
Ginni,
I can relate to your singing comment. I think my theme song must be “Make a joyful noise”!
I have been blessed by two of my girls willing to shop for me and drop it at my door. My daughter in Utah has checked on me weekly as I have been isolated at home for the last three weeks. Thank you for reaching out to all with this message. I miss seeing everyone and look forward to when we will meet again! Hugs and love to you, Sharon!
Many thanks for your thoughts, Sharon. We all have felt alone and missing everybody.
Gretchen Weaver
Thank you for your heart-felt comments, Sharon. I teared up with you. I find myself feeling more tender, as well. We do appreciate all that our staff is doing to keep St. Luke’s connected together. Hearing your voices and listening to your messages and music throughout the week have kept us grounded, as we shelter-in-place so far from home. God bless you as you dance around your kitchen!
Thanks for your honesty of your struggles . I , as everyone miss all of our family! Sending virtual hugs and greetings of peace, much love in Him.
Sharron , I wanted to let you know again how I appreciated your forthright comments on how very difficult this is again, I am also finding it difficult sometimes to ease my mind . I have deeply loved being a member of the Body of Christ, of the family of St Lukes for over twenty years . I pray for each of you , with a deep longing during this uncertainty and think of these words, in 2nd Cornth. 6:4-But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience , in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses , in stripes , in imprisonments, in tulmults , in labors , in watchings , in fastings, by pure ness , by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeighned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left…. as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing as poor, yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things. I am so thankful for the grace that has been measured to each of us , through our Lord Jesus Christ, for the for the measure of the fullness of our growth by the unity of faith unto the fullness of Christ . Thank you everyone so much for everyones part that supports and suppplies the world with hope! In Him Marcia Rango, I miss each of you.
Thank you for connecting with us.The on-line services are great. Amy Wiltzer
As I read your message and the comments, I too, tear up. I do so miss the physical connection of our faith family at St. Luke’s. You are truly special to me. Sending all of you a virtual hug, a smile and true love. Jan Barclay