"Special At-Home Worship Service #5 (Resurrection Sunday)"

We wanted to let everyone know that we did not meet together physically as a congregation this week because we wanted to protect our FCC family from any ripple effects from the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). But we did upload a “phoned-in service” for people to watch, as well as providing another “at-home” devotional for households to go through together.

We understand that it's hard to feel disconnected at this time when so many people are panicking and living in fear -- and maybe even feeling alone and vulnerable -- but we also know that the best way that we can keep one another safe is to prevent the spread of infection. That’s why we’ve been sending daily emails to everyone in the church family to help people know that we’re thinking of everyone.

With that in mind, let me remind everyone to stop and think about where we're at right now as individuals, as a culture at large, and as the church of Jesus Christ.  For the first time in American history, all 50 states are officially under "disaster" conditions.  For the first time in living memory, everyone on the planet is struggling with the very same fears.  And for the first time in the history of the world itself, we can save lives by staying home and doing absolutely nothing.

As for that last statement, I know that people are getting "antsy" about getting out and doing stuff.  Great -- go work in your yard, but don't try going to stores and one another's houses, etc.  Stay the course and do the smart thing for just a little bit longer.

But maybe more to the point, if you're feeling "antsy" and want to do something, then stop and think about how to react to those first two statements.  Literally everyone in our nation and across the planet is united right now -- united by fear and the looming spectre of disease and death.  But though you and I also walk through that same valley of the shadow of death that everyone else is walking through, we should fear no evil, because we know that we walk with God and that He walks with us.  We know that if we keep on breathing tomorrow, God is with us.  And we know that if we don't keep on breathing tomorrow, God is with us.

So we can fall into factionalism and divide, or we can crawl into our holes and isolate completely, or we can rage at the heavens and complain... or we can see this as an opportunity that hasn't come in centuries and actively reach out as ambassadors of hope to those around us.  On Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate that Jesus Christ is a Risen Saviour -- that He is alive, and that He has conquered the final enemy, Death.  He has gone ahead of us as the pioneer of resurrection and eternal life, and He has opened the trail for us -- for all of us on the whole planet -- with His own life's blood.  Those lost in fear and darkness don't even see that trail, and they have no hope in their hearts, and so they stand condemned before God (as have we all, at one point). 

But those of us who have responded to His call and have let Him wash us clean should see that bright, red path ahead of us, standing in stark contrast to the empty grey avenues of this world, and hold to our faith and to our hope not only for our own sakes but also as a beacon and a trail guide to those around us in this world.

Raise your lantern high this week and actively show the darkened world the bright, red path to God.  Don't crawl into a hole, but stand on your rooftop and exclaim, "He is Risen!"

... but then be prepared to explain that a bit more for some people...