Sticking Our Necks Out: Judgement in the Age of COVID Phases

“by SAM BUSH on Jun 25, 2020
https://mbird.com/2020/06/sticking-our-necks-out-judgement-in-the-age-of-phases/”

Life is judged with all the blindness of life itself.

– Santayana

My friend recently admitted that he and his wife had invited people over for dinner. Plenty of qualifiers were set in place—not only did everyone eat outside on their porch, but their guests were mindful enough to bring their own food, their own drinks, their own chairs, and their own face masks. Every box for Phase 2 in the State of Virginia was checked and yet my friend’s story still sounded like a confession. After expressing his litany of quarantine sins, he said, “These days, it sounds like we’re all Christian virgins who are dating. We’re all just trying to figure out what we can get away with.” He’s not wrong!

Days later, my wife and I invited some friends over for a patio picnic of our own. To our horror, it started to rain mid-meal. My wife and I quickly exchanged glances to confirm our mutual decision. We cautiously invited our friends to consider moving inside so we could eat without getting drenched. “Don’t worry! We just cleaned the house. We pretty much wiped down every surface. We can open windows, too.” Our friends, in turn, cautiously accepted our invitation. The words, “Are you sure? We don’t want to pressure you,” were probably mentioned ten times between the four of us. An hour later, as they were getting ready to leave, my wife said it felt like heaven just to have people inside our home. Paranoia returned a moment later when our guests walked out the front door as some of our neighbors were walking by. It was as if we had just hosted a key party.

Oh, the shame!

As all of us enter various phases of reentry, it feels like we are sticking our necks out into a heightened sense of fear, judgement, and uncertainty. The feeling is valid. After all, our actions affect those around us and any carelessness could potentially lead to someone contracting the coronavirus. If you live in New York you are much more aware of the real-life consequences than if you live in Kansas, but there is plenty of reason for everyone to be cautious and to care for others. And yet, now that we’re dipping our toes back in the water of normality, I find myself simultaneously assuming the role of the lifeguard and the two-year-old running around the pool.

Hypocrisy abounds these days when a desire to cut quarantine corners conflicts with the fear that others are doing the exact same thing. With so much still left unknown, every situation is relative—I can hug this friend because he’s a responsible person who has been quarantining, but is that decision solely based on reason? Thanks to asymptomatic transmission, everyone around me is a potential threat to manage, but I still want to be able to go get carry-out ice cream with my family (I’ve earned it, haven’t I?). Now that we are seemingly more free to make our own decisions, all roads point to our own self-justification while mistrusting others who act likewise.

The beginning stages of quarantine felt like we were all part of a bigger cause, but these phases of reentry feel like certain kids are getting out of school early. David Foster Wallace famously said, “We are kings and queens of our skull-sized kingdoms,” and it feels as hard as ever to regulate those beyond the borders of our jurisdiction. In that sense, it feels like our penchant for capricious egotism has been given a boost these days. And with it has come a tendency to loosen my own leash while tightening the leashes of those around me.

For instance, why do I insist that when my family visits from out of town they meet a standard of hygiene that I’m not even meeting myself? Yes, one is more susceptible to being exposed to the virus while traveling, but I don’t think my safety know-how qualifies me to scold my mother when she fails to use enough hand sanitizer. I can imagine Jesus giving the modern version of the speck and the log parable: “Why do you scold your mother for not washing her hands when you took your toddler to the playground yesterday?” Hypocrite, indeed. Despite my excuses—we were the only ones on the monkey bars, we used an entire bottle of sanitizer before and after going down the slide, etc.—all of my attempts to self-justify add up to a guilty verdict.

Last week, CNN published an op-ed about Steve Murray, the headmaster of Lawrenceville School, a prep school in New Jersey, who gave a webinar to anxious parents about the school’s plans to reopen in the fall. During his presentation, Murray made clear that the school was unlikely to be Covid-free, saying things like, “Zero risk tolerance is not realistic,” and, “Coming to school will not be 100% risk free any more than driving a car is risk free.” He didn’t try to sound like a health expert, but, instead, someone who deeply cared about his students.

With profound humility, he assured the parents that the school was doing everything it possibly could do (including pre-arrival protocols, testing and touchless toilets), but Murray didn’t promise perfection. Even when emphasizing the importance of a shared sense of responsibility, he accepted the reality that each bit of protocol was a little bit like Swiss cheese, each slice having its holes. With grace and meekness, Steve Murray helped remind me that, while we live cautiously during these times in order to love our neighbor, our hope and trust is not in sanitation alone.

It is a worthy effort to try to control the coronavirus as a disease, but I am completely unable to control another person any more than I can control myself. As ever before, I am in constant need of the Serenity Prayer to remind me the difference between what is under and what is far beyond my earthly powers. A line in the BCP Evening Prayer service says it best: “Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; for only in thee can we live in safety.” It’s true. While cleanliness may be next to godliness, it is a far cry from the holiness of a sovereign God who is worthy of all our trust.

Zoom to Scripture - Romans 9 - June 25

Barbara Young Memorial

Live Stream on Wednesday at 11am
from church website/YouTube
https://youtu.be/g3KlqYK83Yc

Because of the COVID-19 spread in Florida, the in-person gathering will be limited to family only.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to a few places Barbara cared about:

1)  Grace Lutheran Church Alzheimer’s Daycare Building Fund

     772-871-6599                
www.GraceLutheranPSL.com/Give

If you would like to give to Grace’s new Alzheimer’s daycare, just indicate “ALZ Daycare” .   

  OR

2)  Sarah’s Kitchen – 772-834-2818

     OR

3)  Treasure Coast Hospice www.TreasureHealth.org

Obituary

Barbara “Babs” Katherine Young (Brandner)  was born in Ruthven, Ontario CANADA on September 7, 1934. She entered Heaven’s gates on June 16, 2020.

She was united in holy matrimony to Anton Young on November 7, 1953. The union was blessed with four children, A loving mother and homemaker, she treasured her family and embraced every moment with them. Barbara had a way of making everyone feel like they were a part of her family. Those who came to know her loved her. To anyone who needed her she was always there with love, acceptance, wisdom and kindness. She was a remarkable cook who enjoyed preparing meals, baking and always welcomed others to her table.  When she wasn’t in the kitchen she was a dedicated water aerobics participant who enjoyed socializing with ladies in her class. In her spare time she could be found reading a book or playing on her computer.

Barbara has always been a woman of faith. While living in Flint, Michigan she was actively involved in St. Paul Lutheran Church and when she settled in Florida, she became a very active member of Grace Lutheran in Port St. Lucie. It’s no surprise that she also donated a lot of her time at “Sarah’s Kitchen” helping feed the less fortunate.

The best wife and mother imaginable, nothing came before her family or her faith. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Barbara will be remembered most for her kind loving nature and the way she lived her life to the fullest with simple pleasures.

Barbara was preceded in death by her son Ronald M. Young, by her brother William and by two infant brothers-Fredrich and Jacob.   She is survived by her husband Anton Young, her Son Richard (Theresa) Young, and her daughters Linda (Jacques) Lamothe and Lori (Tim) McAlear and  two grandchildren, Jaques Jordan Lamothe and Lauren Lamothe. She is also survived by her brother Walter (Ilene) and many cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A “virtual” funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday June 24th at 11:00 am.  You can view the service at www.GraceLutheranPSL.com/BarbaraYoung 

Zoom to Scripture Recording - June 18-20

Live Stream Change - June 20 Announcement

Live Stream is now moving to 10:15AM

Sunday Morning Worship Rules

• Wear a mask.

• All best practices for coming into Grace building still apply.

  • Keep the distance (6ft ).

  • Limit touching (people or things).

  • Wash hands (bathrooms, kitchen, or hand sanitizer).

  • Limit projecting when singing and talking.

    • Use your inside voice like your mother taught you.

Big Windows installed!

Opening Up Announcement June 5th

We are opening up on June 7th.

Sunday service will be at 9AM, both on the live stream and in person.

• Our goal for worship services for the near future is to provide an excellent experience at home so those who are high-risk may feel comfortable staying home.

• We also want to have a safe place for the body of Christ to begin gathering together in person again.

• Important Understanding

  • Many people do not feel the same as you about the severity of the virus.

    • There are those who worry about being anywhere near people right now.

    • There are those who think all this is blown out of proportion.

    • And all sorts of views in between

  • A hallmark of the Christian church is that we love and take care of one another. No matter how you feel, it is an act of love and devotion to keep the distance from everyone at church. Please, no hugging or shaking of hands, and do not get close to someone to speak.

  • Romans 14 is at the bottom

Expectations for Coming to In-Person Worship:

• Wear a mask.

• All best practices for coming into Grace building still apply.

  • Keep the distance (6ft ).

  • Limit touching (people or things).

  • Wash hands (bathrooms, kitchen, or hand sanitizer).

• Limit projecting when singing and talking.

  • Use your inside voice like your mother taught you.

• 1 family group per seating section

• Limit 40ish in sanctuary

  • overflow for 10 in fellowship hall

Communion

• End of 9:00 Worship

  • Individual family groups will be called up to a certain side of the altar area.

  • Pastor will give communion to you.

  • When you are dismissed, you should leave the sanctuary.

  • if you would like to talk with anyone after service, please meet them outside (6ft apart).

• Small Communion Services

  • Available for those who did not feel comfortable coming to worship

  • Communion for 5 family groups (or less) at a time

  • 10:30 and 11:00 AM on Sunday

Zoom to Coffee and Zoom into Scripture

• Coli will continue to hold Zoom to Coffee from the church at 10:30 AM for those who would like to join in the fun online from home.

• Online Bible studies will still continue on Thursdays at 11:00 AM

One final note:
We are watching the heath statistics, and if we deem it unsafe to meet in the future, we will make that call.

Romans 14

5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[b]

12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Bible Study Recording from May 27 - Romans 7

Tom Roksvold's Graveside Service

Table Talk: Apologetics [Video]

[Announce] Live Streaming + Covid 19 and Grace

Very Nice Post from Alzheimer's Community care's Facebook Page

Ed’s wife, Barbara, has attend the Specialized Adult Day Center in Port St. Lucie since early in 2018. Barbara has thrived there and he has thrived as a caregiver, due in part to the wonderful care and support his wife has received., “ACC has provided a wonderful experience for my wife and I now have time to take care of her and our home.” When his church, Grace Lutheran Church - Port St Lucie, FL, wanted to dive deep into a community outreach project, he recommended building a second Day Center is Port St. Lucie on their property. He knew that the need was growing and that it wouldn’t take long to fill another Center in Port St. Lucie so he advocated for it with his congregation. It was an easy sell and the members quickly embraced the mission of Alzheimer’s Community Care and as they say, “the rest is history”. Ed shared these photos recently of the progress taking place. We are so happy to partner with Grace Lutheran Church - Port St Lucie, FL and their wonderful congregation. Thank you for being the “community” in Alzheimer's Community Care.

Roofing the building

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1st Zoom to Coffee

It was a great seeing all that joined in.

[Announce] Zoom into Scripture

Click for zoom bible studies.

St Lucie Voice Easter Article

Grace made it into the St Lucie Voice again today.
check it out below.

St. Lucie churches conducting Holy Week services online

BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer george@stlucievoice.com

Pastors across St. Lucie County who would normally be preparing for overflow crowds on Easter Sunday switched to producing videos of Holy Week services to enable congregants to worship online.

St. Lucie County churches have been posting videos of services on their websites, Youtube and Facebook in response to new social distancing norms and bans on groups of more than 10 people. Grace Lutheran Church in St. Lucie West set up a makeshift television studio in the sanctuary to produce videos of services, said Pastor Cris Escher.

St. Bernadette Catholic Church videos the daily Mass on an iPhone set up on a tripod and also shares the services online, said Pastor Victor Ulto.

The goal is to continue practicing comforting religious traditions at a time of great spiritual need, Escher, Ulto and other religious leaders said. “A joke we’ve been saying in the church world is: ‘I didn’t expect to give up quite this much for Lent,’” Escher said. “It’ll be interesting as this idea of having to give up things continues past Easter, but we know God is watching over us.”

“We don’t really see our members anymore, we don’t really see the people anymore,” Escher said. “We have transferred everything online. Our sanctuary is now a TV studio. We have lights up.”

“We want to make sure people stay health and not spread the virus, so that’s why we’re doing all this,” Escher said. “I try to express hopefulness that we are all together, at least in spirit, in this tough time.”

St. Bernadette’s priests are still available to take confessions, offer private Masses and anoint the sick, Ulto said. But public Masses and mingling with congregants is on hold until the pandemic passes.

“All priests are ordained to be with the people,” Ulto said. “When you can’t be with the people, it’s a very unique and painful situation for us and the people themselves. Many of them has responded how much they miss us as well.”

“What’s paramount is us being the church and supporting them,” Ulto said. “The church is the people. We’re being deployed to our homes and to minister to those who are sick and dying.”

St. Lucie County Administrator Howard Tipton said sunrise services on Easter morning at county beaches and parks were not an option this year because of the ban on large gatherings.

“We encourage you to find a place to worship in your house or maybe if you wanted to go outside to a park, just not in a large crowd,” Tipton said during a news briefing Monday (April 6).

“It’s just going to be different this year and you’ve just got to get used to it,” Tipton said. “This is a big holiday, it’s a special event on the Christian calendar, we get that, we just want everybody to be safe.” “You can be safe and

http://online.anyflip.com/mmja/kpsq/mobile/index.html

[Video] Announcement April 8th 2020

We Have Facemasks.

We want your Photos and Videos
GraceLutheranPSL.com/upload

Listen to the Passion
www.gracelutheranpsl.com/daily

Maundy Thursday 5PM

Grace Gathering Update [April 4th] [Video]

Greetings Family and Friends at Grace,

On April 1,  Governor DeSantis put the entire state of Florida under a stay at home order. This directive is designed to further encourage residents of Florida to stay at home as we work to flatten the curve of COVID-19.

If you read the order or heard others talking about it, you may already know that churches are listed as essential businesses. In Port St. Lucie’s emergency planning meeting at city hall from Thursday afternoon, Mayor Oravec encouraged churches to remain virtual or “drive-in” style at this time. In the attached video, I include his message about this. 

For those who have stepped up over the past few weeks to take on extra roles to serve the Grace community through music, phone calls, and office tasks, I am so grateful. We would not have been able to “be the church” remotely without your contributions.

At this time, I have decided to discontinue the Wednesday and Sunday individual communion services so we can work to keep each other safe from this virus. With the way our space is designed and the nature of sharing in the meal, ensuring 6 feet is just not always possible. This decision is not one I took lightly, for I know the power of the Lord’s Supper and the blessings it brings. 

LCMS President Harrison wrote to the pastors this week, in light of the upcoming Holy Week, “We pastors struggle with a barrage of changes, of unanswered questions, of rough edges, of theological thoughts and concerns, of practical problems. Many face financial challenges. We struggle with moving targets, changing health regulations and mandates. We want more than anything for our dear people to receive the forgiveness and consoling power of the Word of the Gospel, the Scriptures, and the very body and blood of Jesus. We struggle trying to sort out how it is that the very coming together to receive Christ’s gifts may endanger the flock we seek to love and shepherd.” Then he went on to say, “Dearest brothers, you have Jesus; Jesus only, but that is sufficient. ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Cor. 12:9).”

You may be feeling weak right now, with our social events and spiritual community taken away, at least in-person, jobs lost, and family members far away in places with even more sickness than here. Remember, Jesus’ power makes us perfect in our weakness. I, who’s wrestled with “doing church” in a totally new and complicated way, am also feeling weak. The events of Holy Week, that we begin tomorrow with Palm Sunday, remind us of that every year, and this year it may even mean a little bit more. Let’s rest in that and be open to how the Holy Spirit can transform our hearts and minds.

After Holy Week, we will begin engaging in more community building through online virtual meetings for Bible study and fellowship. You can either call in with a traditional phone or use your computer or other device to see one another. Look for more details once we’re past Easter.

In the meantime, as we grieve the absence of the Lord’s Supper and in-person gatherings, please call and text your brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage them, check on them, and see if they have any needs. Let the church know of any needs we could provide, such as errands or financial assistance.

You know how I despise the manipulative nature that asking for money brings, but here are the ways we and the community need your continued support:

• Please send your offering through the mail or ask that your bank provide us with weekly checks. The expenses at Grace to make virtual services have increased in the last month, and your contributions to the general operations of the church are still needed and appreciated.

• If you have not received or turned in a pledge card for the new building, please prayerfully consider a conservative amount you could offer over the next three years so we can continue to plan for the building project. Anyone can re-submit their pledges at any time over the next three years, especially given the unsteadiness of these times.

• When the stimulus checks arrive, some of you may be in a position of plenty. If you are able to contribute that amount, or a portion of it, back into the community, we ask for your donation so we can make sure others in our congregation and community who have lost their jobs have the opportunity to stay afloat. You can send those amounts to the church, marked “stimulus,” separate from your general offering. If you are one in need of financial support, please let us know so we can plan for financial assistance to those in our church and community who have needs.

• Many in the community are relying on food banks to help them get by financially. If you are led to contribute, please be advised that there are some scams going on right now that pose as food bank donations. I recommend donating to one you know has been in operation prior to these times, for example Treasure Coast Food Bank, where members of the church visited last year. 

Tomorrow we begin Holy Week. We walk behind Jesus as he rides a humble donkey into Jerusalem. We listen as he eats with and serves his disciples one last time. We watch as he’s betrayed and stands before the court. We sit at the foot of the cross, knowing Peter isn’t far off denying him, as Jesus suffers and dies for all of us.

But remember this also: Sunday is coming. As cheesy as it sounds, our church may be empty right now, but we know that our Redeemer lives because the tomb is empty too!

---

See Past Updates

[Video] Surgeon General Shows How to Make Your Own Face Covering

Holy Week and Easter 2020

Holy Week 2020

Because of the Covid 19 Social Distancing we will need to have video services for Holy week.

Find all the video right here at www.GraceLutheranPSL.com

Palm Sunday 9am
Maundy Thursday 5pm
Good Friday 5pm
Easter Sunday 9am