Thought for the day – Friday 24th July 2020
Sunday 12th July was the first day we were able to open Trinity Methodist Church in Felixstowe for private prayer. We had people queuing at the doors as we opened and over 30 people came along. We made sure we adhered to both the Government and Methodist Church Covid-19 Safe Procedures.
Those coming to worship were provided with a small prayer book to take home and a reflection on the Parable of the Sower which was the set Lectionary Gospel reading for that week. A packet of seeds was provided for all attending, with the encouragement to meditate upon where God might be calling us to work as we slowly emerge from the Covid 19 pandemic.
A candle was lit as a focal point and a visual aid was provided to assist reflection on the Parable of the Sower. In all of this, it was evident that there was a tangible sense of relief in being able to enter a place of worship again.
It is true that we can worship God anywhere. Our Lord is the Lord of Heaven and Earth and of all things seen and unseen, but specific places can hold such meaning for us humans.
Many of the Psalms are Psalms of Ascent. Psalms that would have been sung on the way up to the Temple in Jerusalem. Both the Ark of the Covenant and the Tent of Meeting held profound significance to our Jewish brothers and sisters. In a similar way it felt so good to be back home and physically present in a building set aside for Worship.
It is true that much of the ministry of the Church takes place outside the physical walls of the Church. However, to be back “physically together”, in the company of each other, albeit at a distance, was a blessing indeed.
Many passages of scripture came to mind, but none more so than this opening verse from Psalm 84.
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O lord of hosts!
My soul longs; indeed, it faints for the courts of the Lord;
My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God”
A Prayer
Thank you God, that Church doors are again able to open.
May we welcome all with love, care and sensitivity.
Give us we pray, a richer vision of your kingdom and a broader understanding of its implications.
And a willingness to work in a variety of ways, both inside and outside of our buildings for your glory.
Amen.