When Will We Be Able To Meet Together?
Skykomish Community Church has not yet been able to establish a date and time that public worship services will resume. We will let people know when this time has come, and make every effort for it to be as soon as is practical within the safety guidelines provided by various government authorities.
Hebrews 10:24-25 states: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Our President has stated that houses of worship are ‘essential’ and that they should reopen. Our Governor, and the King County Health Department, believe it is too dangerous to hold religious gatherings at this time. Religious gatherings of up to 50 people won’t be allowed to meet until Phase 3 of the reopening phases (unless guidelines change).
The Hebrews 10 passage encourages the gathering together of saints, while other passages exhort us to be subject to those in authority over us. While I agree with the President that churches are ‘essential’ and that meeting together is beneficial, I cannot help but notice the context in which the author of Hebrews places the phrase, “not giving up meeting together.”
The purpose of meeting together is to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” and “encouraging one another.” Scripture is full of passages that promote the concept of “one another”. Unity is an underlying theme throughout the entire Bible! Whether we are able to meet in a building for corporate worship or we are compelled to seek God together at a distance, we must remain unified in purpose and spirit.
We may be advanced to Phase 2 sometime within the next weeks. Restaurants will be able to operate at 50% capacity, with appropriate social distancing. Maybe our first few times gathering together for spurring one another on to love and good deeds and encouraging one another should take place in designated restaurants. We can help encourage local businesses and one another.