In my office is a cute picture of two children trying to figure  out the finger play for that old nursery rhyme:

Here is the church and there is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people.

Nowadays, we might modify it to:

Here is the church and there is the steeple. Open the doors and where are the people?

It is definitely a new day in the life of the church, we are all learning to “do church” a little differently. But what does that phrase mean anyway, to “do church”? Let’s remember what the church is; our standards (Heidelberg Catechism #54) define the church as:

I believe that the Son of God, out of the whole human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, defends, and preserves for himself, by his Spirit and Word, in the unity of the true faith, a church chosen to everlasting life. And I believe that I am and forever shall remain a living member of it.

One of the things I love about the old standards is the bigger perspective that the writers had. We, the people, are the church family of First Presbyterian Church of Punta Gorda, but more than that we are part of the church universal, from the beginning of the world to eternity. And Christ has promised, as the Good Shepherd, that He will gather, defend, and preserve it. The King of all creation — He is the One in charge. Nothing can defeat it. So, as we gather around our tables, our computers, or in our living rooms to have Worship/Prayer Meetings/Bible Studies — we are gathering with saints around the world to bring glory, honor, and praise to the Triune God — and we will forever be a part of it! As I mentioned in my letter, it is never an easy decision to cancel our meeting together; however, we have an obligation to look after one another and consider the needs of others as more significant than our own. Our deepest concern is for those most at risk. Whether they are a fellow church member, immediate family, friend, neighbor or colleague…we all likely know someone we can help protect. So, I just wanted to say thank you for working through this momentary inconvenience.

What about Easter? I know, there are lots of family and church traditions that are part of the season. As I write this to you, we have not made a decision about Easter Sunday. However, Services and activities are cancelled through Good Friday (April 1-10). I hope that we can meet together for Easter, but even if we are unable to meet together as a church family in our building, that doesn’t mean that Easter is cancelled. I don’t know about you, but a person really has to fight during the Christmas season to remember the true reason for the season, it has become so commercial. It seems that Easter is starting to feel that way too — with the candy, Easter Egg Hunts, new clothes, big meals, etc. Maybe, this is a corrective year. An opportunity to reflect on what Holy Week is all about, from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday! We have been going through the Gospel of John on Sunday mornings, I would encourage you to take the time for family devotions to go back and read the last half of the book in preparation for Easter, and ask yourself, “Why do I celebrate Easter?” It may be a refreshing time to refocus on what it means to be a Christian. On Wednesday April 1 & 8, I will put up on our Facebook page a recorded Easter devotional that looks at some of the Messianic Psalms, I’ll send the link out on Wednesday. (I’ll also post links to two Holy Week devotionals, or email me and we will mail you a copy. One is produced by the Billy Graham Association, the other is produced by Desiring God Ministry.)

We are the church — perhaps for now scattered, instead of gathered for a season. But this too will pass, and when it does, our communion will be all the sweeter and appreciated.