Pastor's Message regarding Coronavirus Pandemic
I would like to address the parishioners of McConnellsburg Lutheran Parish regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. We owe our local and national government authorities respect according the Fourth Commandment.
We owe them our constant prayers according to specific directives of St. Paul (1 Tim. 2:2). Within the last 48 hours, Dr. Anthony Fauci of President Trump's White House Task Force stated that we are in a crucial period during which it is possible to significantly limit the spread of the virus by smart action on the part of the public.
2. We have a duty of love to our neighbors according to the Fifth Commandment.
"We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need" (Luther's Small Catechism). I would urge us all to make a concerted effort to act in ways that limit exposure fore ourselves and advance the well-being of our neighbors, at church and beyond.
3. This is a very fluid and changing situation.
a. As Luther noted in his document on the plague in Wittenberg, different people will make different
decisions based upon circumstance and vocation.
b. We must, in love, be patient with one another as we strive to be both faithful and responsible. Some will
make a decision to forgo worship services and Bible studies. That is the choice of an individual's
conscience. As Luther wrote in his document on the plague, I, as the called and ordained pastor in this
parish, will continue to lead Christ's sheep in Divine Service, and, in the locations that I am allowed to
enter, will continue to visit the sick and shut-in.
4. In Luke 21, Jesus foretold the kind of things that would mark the times just before His coming. Wars, rumors of wars, earthquake, famine, persecution and much more. He also included pestilence. Many great Christians, including Martin Luther 500 years ago, beheld the mess of the world around them and thought the end must be coming soon. But Jesus said at the end of His sermon, "Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28)
Luther's great Reformation hymn "A Mighty Fortess Is Our God" is a hymn that Luther based on Psalm 46. You may not know that it was written during the bubonic plague in Wittenberg in 1527. Our times are in the hands of the Lord (Ps. 31:15). Our days are numbered by Him (Ps. 139). In fact, the very hairs of your head are numbered (Luke 12:7). You have only the resurrection to look forward to (John 11:25). And you have the glorious apostolic promise: "All things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace. Amen.
1. We owe our local and national government authorities respect according the Fourth Commandment.
We owe them our constant prayers according to specific directives of St. Paul (1 Tim. 2:2). Within the last 48 hours, Dr. Anthony Fauci of President Trump's White House Task Force stated that we are in a crucial period during which it is possible to significantly limit the spread of the virus by smart action on the part of the public.
2. We have a duty of love to our neighbors according to the Fifth Commandment.
"We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need" (Luther's Small Catechism). I would urge us all to make a concerted effort to act in ways that limit exposure fore ourselves and advance the well-being of our neighbors, at church and beyond.
3. This is a very fluid and changing situation.
a. As Luther noted in his document on the plague in Wittenberg, different people will make different
decisions based upon circumstance and vocation.
b. We must, in love, be patient with one another as we strive to be both faithful and responsible. Some will
make a decision to forgo worship services and Bible studies. That is the choice of an individual's
conscience. As Luther wrote in his document on the plague, I, as the called and ordained pastor in this
parish, will continue to lead Christ's sheep in Divine Service, and, in the locations that I am allowed to
enter, will continue to visit the sick and shut-in.
4. In Luke 21, Jesus foretold the kind of things that would mark the times just before His coming. Wars, rumors of wars, earthquake, famine, persecution and much more. He also included pestilence. Many great Christians, including Martin Luther 500 years ago, beheld the mess of the world around them and thought the end must be coming soon. But Jesus said at the end of His sermon, "Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28)
Luther's great Reformation hymn "A Mighty Fortess Is Our God" is a hymn that Luther based on Psalm 46. You may not know that it was written during the bubonic plague in Wittenberg in 1527. Our times are in the hands of the Lord (Ps. 31:15). Our days are numbered by Him (Ps. 139). In fact, the very hairs of your head are numbered (Luke 12:7). You have only the resurrection to look forward to (John 11:25). And you have the glorious apostolic promise: "All things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace. Amen.