APR 2, 21 VIEW FROM DA PEWS

By: William Schleichert

 
Weekly View From Da Pews
April 02, 2021 Good Friday
A Clear Vision of the Cross!

  1 Peter 3:18 Christ died for sin once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

  One of the reference points of London is the Charing Cross.  It is near the geographical center of the city and serves as a navigational tool for those confused by the streets.

  A little girl was lost in the great city.  A policeman found her.  Between sobs and tears, she explained she didn’t know her way home.  He asked her if she knew her address.  She didn’t.  He asked her phone number; she didn’t know that either.  But when he asked her what she knew, suddenly her face lit up.

“I know the Cross,” she said.  “Show me the Cross and I can find my way home from there.”
 
  So can you.  Keep a clear vision of the Cross on your horizon and you can find your way home. (From “And the Angels Were Silent” by Max)

Show me the Cross!  Such a simple concept and yet we manage to make it far more complex than it really is!  (My opinion) Just show me the Cross!  He is risen, He is risen indeed—Halleluiah!

  Easter Sunday worship, in doors, at Dekorra Lutheran, are you ready!  I know that I am.  It’s been a year since we worshiped inside and I for one have greatly missed being with my church family on Sunday mornings.  I wish to thank Pastor Sterling and Bill Buckley for their guidance in making this a reality.  I lot of thought and hard work has gone into making it possible for us to reopen the church.  I also wish to thank and acknowledge Jerry and Ann Carncross for a very generous donation that enabled Dekorra to purchase the equipment necessary to broadcast an image of the worship service to the Fellowship Hall.  I am always amazed by the generosity and willingness of individuals in this congregation who step up when there is a need.

  In order to keep everyone safe during this pandemic, we have changed some of our operating procedures starting with the parking lot and how you arrive at the church.  When you arrive, the north entrance will be blocked off, please use the south entrance.  When you pull into the lot watch for the ushers to direct you.  The parking lot ushers will hand you the bulletin and ask if you are worshipping inside or in car.  If you are going to go inside (first come first seated), you will be given a ticket to present to the inside ushers.  When the sanctuary reaches 60 people you will then be directed to the fellowship hall where we will seat 40 more people.  Once we have handed out all 100 tickets you will be asked to worship from your car as we have done in the past.  It is your option to worship inside or out and you need to tell the parking lot ushers what you intend to do.  If all the tickets have been handed out the option where to worship is now gone.  If you are worshipping in car you will be given the communion host when you arrive.  If you are worshipping inside you will receive the host as you leave.

  When you go inside for worship you will come to a sanitation station.  We ask that you have your temperature taken, use hand sanitizer, and we will observe what you are using for a face covering.  The usher will than seat you.  Once seated we ask that you remain in that seat until the service is over.  We ask that there be no mingling with others, no loud talking and no singing.  When the service is over the ushers will dismiss you by rows and we ask that you leave quickly as we need to re-sanitize for the next group of worshippers.  As you leave you can deposit your offering in a basket by the doors. 

  I know that this is a lot to taken in all at once.  Your church council is trying to make this as safe as we can and yet be as meaningful as possible.  This Sunday, being the first time trying this, we realize that there may be some glitches.  I am sure that after a couple of Sunday’s of doing this, we will get it down pat.

  That’s all for this week and it’s a lot to digest.  I hope to see all of you this Sunday.  Stay healthy, stay strong and keep the faith.

  William, a Disciple of Christ

Christianity, in its purest form, is nothing more than seeing Jesus.
Christian service, in its purest form, is nothing more than imitating Him who we see.
To see His Majesty and to imitate Him, that is the sum of Christianity!
williamaschleichert@gmail.com
608-697-4434(c)