Phil. 1:1-3  I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I felt that last Sunday’s worship time was something very special in our life at MoSt.  Even though we didn’t get to gather at the church building like we usually do, so many gathered in their homes to experience a shared time of praise and worship.  The way everyone pitched in to make it so special was amazing.  Those who had singing talents gathered as a praise team and sang so that we could sing along with them right in our living rooms.  Those who had technical skills used them to put everything together in a very organized way, and many of us who didn’t have those skills prepared and delivered communion kits so that everyone could share in the Lord’s Supper.  I got a lump in my throat as we sang just thinking about how beautiful the experience was.  I missed seeing everyone’s smiling faces and getting the handshakes and hugs, but I still felt a special kinship even though we couldn’t be together.  At the latest count, there have been 422 views of our worship service on YouTube.

I wonder if that’s not a little like what it is like for God every Sunday.  His whole family is gathered in so many different places, but He is right there with every one of them.  We can’t see Him in person, but we can feel His presence with us every time we reach out to Him.  

Prayer:  Heavenly father, Thank you for being near us, even when we can’t be near each other.  Just like our families are still families even though they no longer reside in the same house, we are in Your family no matter where we are.  Thank you for loving us wherever we are, and for giving us a feeling of belonging, even if we can’t assemble in one place.  We long for that day when we will all be gathered around You at Your throne where there will be no disease, no death, no  pain, and no sorrow.  Help us keep our eyes and our hearts focused on You.