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Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done . . .
-1 Chronicles 16:11-12a, NIV
As I mentioned in my last sermon, I take time to look back each year try to remember the things that have happened. I begin with the high points, remember the low points, and then all points in between. I'm not sure if you remember this, but we began 2020 with the 25th anniversary celebration of Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. It was a wonderful weekend remembering God's faithfulness to this faith community and the fellowship we have shared together.
But soon we were plunged into pandemic pandemonium. What most of us thought might be a few weeks of inconvenience turned into something much more. The church campus was closed. We scrambled to create a weekly Online worship service, which then expanded to a Drive-Through giving opportunity, and soon to a weekly Drive-in worship service. Ministry Team meetings, Bible studies, Small Groups, Youth and College gatherings, support groups, Staff meetings, and Session meetings -- all took place on Zoom video conferencing. We wrestled with when to open our Preschool and when it was safe to come back for indoor worship services. We looked for ways to help others through special offerings and new mission opportunities.
Mostly, we were all just making it up as we went along since this was not something any of us had faced before. We often found the plans we made one day were no longer relevant the very next day because of some new change that happened. But through the grace of God, the faithfulness of the JCPC family working together, and our leaders seeking to use their best wisdom and discernment to decide what to do next -- as a church we have made it through 2020! There have been losses along the way of friends and church members. We grieve and mourn their loss and we continue to pray for their families and friends. There have been other losses: health, economic, relationships, a sense of mental well-being, and other things it will take time to recognize.
I am praying that 2021 will be better than 2020. And yet I don't want to overlook how God's grace was at work even in the most difficult times. For that, we need to also be grateful!
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