We are family | Let’s Zoom!

In 1979, a Motown act by the name of Sister Sledge sang a song called, “We are Family.” This song has a notoriously catchy and renown chorus. The chorus rings out, “We are family, I got all my sisters with me! We are family, get up everybody and sing!” This fun song even became the theme song for the 1979 Pirates. It has been in countless commercials and movies since then. My favorite line says, “Everyone can see we’re together.” Interacting as brothers and sisters, in a healthy way, says a lot to those that are around us.

There are many times in which the scriptures also refer to us as followers of Jesus and the localized church as a family (or at least alludes to it). We might say, “We are family!” In fact, Paul writes to the church in Rome and tells them to love each other with a brotherly love! Jesus says that his mother and brothers are those that keep His commands and follow His message. Time and time again, in the scriptures, as we are realigned to the idea that God is our Heavenly Father, we are forced to realize that makes us all God’s children, or brothers and sisters to each other.

In a time of physical (or social) distrancing, it might be easy to connect with our actual families by phone. However, it becomes increasingly hard to stay in touch with our church family, or our spiritual brothers and sisters. In fact, it may be that we unfortunately become wary of community when this Covid-19 pandemic is over. However, as a pastor, I believe that there is both a positive communal and spiritual impact for our church if we continue to intentionally find ways to be together. This means more than just finding new ways to worship, join in community, and equip ourselves for God’s mission together online. The question is, at this time, is it true that “everyone can see we’re together?” We are in a time that it is hard to be together.

I am thankful for the way that many of you have taken part in our online Tuesday prayer times and Sunday morning worship gatherings. Those things we will continue. I look forward to hosting both something this Sunday and Tuesday again. You can watch the archived recordings online. While some of you have thanked us for these opportunities, we also know that many of us are becoming heartsick to see each other again. For that reason, this week, we want to try something completely different. We want to give a chance for “everyone to see we’re together.” For that, we will be using Zoom. Zoom is a video conferencing app that will allow us to see each other through our phones and/or computers. Zoom is also a tool that Church Board will be using on Thursday together, to address many growing concerns. The Governor has told us we will be shut down for another two weeks, and informed us ideas like drive through church are not acceptable. So, while will still gather for worship on Sunday online , like last week, and for prayer on Tuesday at 10 A – we want to also see each other.

Zoom / Thursday / 4:00 P
 This Thursday we invite you to spend time with your church family, actually seeing each other! We will gather at 4:00 P.M. If you do not have a webcam on your computer, you can use Zoom on your phone. This will allow us to see you. If your phone cannot access it (very rare) you will be able to listen in with audio.   On your phone, open your APP store, Google Play or Apple App Store.  Look for the App ZOOM. Download the APP.  If you have a webcam on your laptop or desktop, you can download the Zoom Meeting Client.  Please note, this is NOT needed. You can just join in by clicking the link and tuning in through your web browser.  Please click the link below a few minutes before 4:00 p.m. to enter the meeting.

Jeff McLain is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Thursday Afternoon Conversation
Time: Mar 26, 2020 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/134617773

Meeting ID: 134 617 773

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