​1.  Offer Prayer

Holy God,
who created us for and from love,
in this time of social distancing,
hold us close in your arms.
Comfort those who are afraid,
enliven those who are bored,
give courage to those who are distressed,
and warm those who feel the cold touch of loneliness.
Breathe in with and through us
as we wonder what will become of us. 
Help us to walk through uncertainty into a new future
knowing that you are with us now and await us there,
In the name of Christ the Beloved we pray.
Amen.
By the Rev. Canon Dr. Ellen Clark-King, Vice Dean and Canon for Social Justice at Grace Cathedral,San Franciso

2. Read Something to Spark Thought

When all is said and done .... when we've reviewed what is important to us as a church, when we've talked about what challenges us in the world we live in, when we've talked about our vision for where the church should be headed, when we've looked at our size and how we judge what success means, we are left with one more question to ponder.  What is the point of being the church anyway?  It has been said that it is not so much that the church has a mission in the world, but rather that God has a mission in the world and needs a church to make it happen.  This suggests that the purpose of being a community of faith is connected to something much larger than we are.  If we have an enduring purpose, it is not really about us at all. That's a sobering and a hopeful thought, both in the short-run and the crisis we are currently experiencing, and in the long-run, for what the church is meant to be after the crisis is done and over with.

In the short-run, in times of crisis such as we are experiencing right now, this question of our purpose becomes even more acute.  That's what this week's reflection is about.  If we have a purpose, it has to work in the short-term moments of crisis, as well as over the long-run when the emergency has passed.  Urgent times have a way of clarifying what we are about as communities of people.  Who we are becomes clear in what we do or don't do in the midst of a crisis.  
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3. Check Out Our Church's Mission Statement

5. Read an Excerpt from an Article

"Noble: Living as Christ during a pandemic"
When confronted with events that challenge us, Christian leaders should be asking, ‘What is really happening? What is God doing?’. A state of wonderment is healthy. To bluster is not helpful. Our first thought should be: how do we model Christ in this circumstance?

Viruses and bacteria are part of a finely balanced ecological system created by God. We should resist blaming the Devil. Viruses outnumber the stars in our universe by a factor of ten billion! In 2012, there were over 200 identified viral species with an estimated three or four new ones found each year. Not all are bad, indeed a vast number is for our good. The vast majority of viruses infect bacteria and other single-cell organisms. Bacteria are essential to life in that they make biologically relevant compounds, but they reproduce very quickly. They are kept in check by viruses. But at times, this balance goes off-kilter.

There are two possible causes that we can contemplate for those that threaten us. Mismanagement of creation puts us at risk and creates the conditions for mishaps. .....The other position that should be adopted is the recognition that we live in and as a community. Christian faith is the antithesis of radical individualism. Christians have a mandate to come alongside those in need and those who suffer and help them bear that burden. .... The Church has a prime responsibility to care for its members and to practice social justice.

Christians have to go beyond practising social distancing, they need to model compassion by focusing on the aged, the weak and the poor, not on themselves. This focus demonstrates the powerful attractive love of Christ. This is more important than when the next meeting can be. Does a church have to meet to be a congregation? Does cancelling physical meetings demonstrate a lack of faith? We should balance our desire to worship God with the sanctity of those in need or at risk. A crisis shows the true character of a Christian. It shows up whether we are living for the right stuff or whether we are occupied with material things, personal comfort or ego. Whether our talk and our walk are matched is clearly revealed. In these anxious times, Christians need to shine as examples of love.

J.R.R. Tolkien, author of Lord of the Rings, coined a word ‘eucatastrophe’—the sudden joyful turn of events at the end of the story when all seems lost. The Church should keep its eyes on the end and bring hope and faith and love to others in the community. Cast the vision of how God’s people live.

(source: https://wired868.com/2020/03/20/noble-living-as-christ-in-the-age-of-covid-19-the-churchs-responsibility-to-keep-followers-safe/)

6. Read a Closing Prayer

Jesus, teacher, brave and bold,
let us serve you, young and old
Let us faith-filled workers be,
all around your wisdom see.
Let us play and dance and sing, 
your goodness find in everything.

Jesus, friend, so strong and true,
show us good, brave work to do.
Show us those who need a friend,
all things broken help us mend.
Free our minds and stretch our care,
teach us to serve you everywhere.

(Words © 1967 Walter Farquharson, Former United Church Moderator, Hymn #605   Voices United)

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7. Something to Listen to & Enjoy