Faith in a time of wondring.

      Today Lisa and I "went" to her church, Calvary Lutheran in south Minneapolis. It was an inspiring and encouraging experience which should prompt gratitude for modern electronics. It reminded me of a Lutheran Church that Joanne and I visited in Sighisoara, Romania. Transylvania was once populated by Lutherans. Nothing  of the inside the church remains in my memory, though one feature of the church, is unique in my experience. On the south, outside wall of the building was a pulpit facing the yard which was enclosed by a fence. The pulpit could be entered from inside the sanctuary via a door. This is where the pastor would preach to the lepers who were not allowed inside. Social distancing as practiced generations ago.
       One of my pastor friends is using this time to telephone her people. Imagine that! How comforting it must be as parishioners, as they "shelter in place," to have their pastor call to inquire about their well being. 
       Another of my pastor friends wrote this lament over his grief about the loss (temporary we hope) of place.
   

Random Thoughts about the significance of PLACE in our Christian walk with God

During this virus crisis, when we have been unable to worship in our church buildings (place), several sources have stressed that the Church is PEOPLE, not a place.

The longer this sheltering goes on, the more we long for the gathering of our faith community in the church building, a place where the Body of Christ gathers for worship, fellowship, service, etc.

When the Israelites were in captivity in Babylon, away from the temple in Jerusalem where they had experienced God's presence in the Holy Ground of that place, they longed for this special place in their lives. Think of the opening words of Psalm 84: "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!  My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord." (Continue on with vss. 2b-4).

Grundtvig's "Built on a Rock" hymn states that "Surely in temples made with hands God the Most High is not dwelling." But in stanza four: "Yet in this house, an earthly frame, Jesus the children is blessing; hither we come to praise his name, faith in our Savior confessing."

Just think of all that happens when we gather and worship in that place we call a church building: Listening to the prelude and praying for the pastors and other worship participants; confessing our sin, hearing the Word of Forgiveness; singing God's praises; witnessing children being baptized and welcoming them into God's family; listening to the proclamation of God's Word; offering our gifts and listening as the children drop their coins in the noisy offering; joining in the prayers with our "Hear our prayer"; being sent from this place with the light of Christ.

I think this virus crisis has convinced me of how much I long to be back in that place we call a church building with my faith community.

Sam Hatlestad, retired

   Thanks for sharing your lament, Sam.  I'm with you in this cry.

Takk for alt,

Al