Author Archives: dave
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Hi friends, A couple of things as we head toward this Sunday.
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On the first Sunday of each month we normally take communion together. Let’s do that, but do it at home. Make sure you have what you need, like crackers or whatever – and let’s make sure those among us who shouldn’t go out to the grocery store have what they need too. It will be different, for sure, but I think it will still be a great experience.
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Our 9am Sunday prayer time together has kind of fallen off the radar. Let’s get that back on track in a virtual format. Nicole Cornett has agreed to be the point person for that, so please start by connecting with her on it. Here is a great reminder from David Guzik on the importance of prayer, especially at this time.
Sunday Service Live Stream, March 29, 2020
Hi friends, Hope to see you at 10am EDT for a little time of worship and a look at Luke 13. Here is the link:
Check-in Challenge, Plus a Verse for Today
Let’s start with a check-in challenge. Make it a point to check in with someone each day – including today – that you haven’t heard from lately just to make sure they are doing OK, see if they need help or whatever. Many of us have been doing this already, so thank you. We have a special opportunity right now to practice Christ’s command to love one another. With disrupted schedules and lengthy hours in our own homes, we can easily fall into an out-of-sight, out-of-mind pattern. We can overcome it by getting in touch – by checking in – with someone that we can’t see.
Also, these words that God gave to ancient Israel make an encouraging promise for his people today. We can see them as a reminder that trials, even severe trials, are to be expected. At the same time we are encouraged to trust in the Lord who will see us through them.
(Isaiah 43:2) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
Stay-At-Home Order, Monday, March 23, 2020
Hello again Horizon Central family. The news keeps coming. Here is the latest from Governor Holcomb’s office. We now have a Stay-At-Home order. Here is a link to the FAQs.
For the church it means we will not be meeting live and in person for any group. We can figure out how to meet virtually, for example, for the Wednesday evening marriage group. For Sunday, we will stream something. We need to think through whether that will be live or recorded and then streamed.
Either way, stay in touch (not literally, but figuratively, as Jesse reminded me yesterday.)
I’ll leave you with my personal verse for today. Maybe it will encourage you. I’d remind you that Isaiah wrote it in the midst of prophecies of judgement. That context matters because as the immediate reality was mainly doom and gloom, the long distance outlook was amazing!
(Isaiah 49:13) Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted.
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Hi friends!
Saturday is here and that means tomorrow is Sunday (No kidding, right?) But it is a good time for a reminder that we are going fully online for the time being. Join us, please, online at 10 am tomorrow if you don’t have a responsibility to help make things happen – whether for the service portion, office things or Project Love when service is over.
And thanks again for stories I’ve heard of people reaching out to one another. Keep doing that. In fact, since restrictions keep getting stricter, please reach out to someone – especially someone from church in one of those high risk groups. If they have a need, then they of all people should have that need met by one of us. If you have a request or urgent need please do not hesitate to make it known.
Finally, today I’m reminded of a well-known verse from the Old Testament. It’s odd how sort of trite or overused it seems at most times. Now, however, especially when we look at it together with the verse before it, they have both meaning in them that has rarely seemed so meaningful before. Notice the “pestilence” part, which is another word for a fatal epidemic or disease.
(2 Chronicles 7:13-14) 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
