Monday Update, March 23
It was good to be together in worship yesterday, even if it was via technology. Seeing faces, hearing voices, entering greetings via the chat function and seeing the names of our Lakeshore family from across the country was deeply meaningful. We drew strength from our ancient Scriptures, sang, prayed, and reflected together, as we do every Sunday. Even in the midst of this pandemic, we can still connect, we can still worship, we can still care for one another.
I (Pastor Allison) encourage you to continue to draw strength from the promises of Psalm 23. Here is my contemporary adaptation of the psalm, entitled “The Divine Doctor.”
God is my Physician, who ensures that all my needs are met, who provides me with time to breath and rest, to enjoy beauty and restore my soul. God guides me on my journey so I never stray from wellness.
Even though I live with sickness all around me, I need not live with fear – for God is with me. God’s healing hands care for me. God’s people surround me with love.
God is preparing a sanctuary for me: a safe heaven in the midst of this pandemic, where friends and neighbors can embrace and fellowship and feast, where love and life and laughter abound.
Compassion and connection surround me, they are my constant companions. God’s sanctuary is my home, at all times and in all places.
Here are links to the music of our service:
May we heed these words from Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky as we continue to live in this season of sickness: “Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place… Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise.”
For those who missed our service, or would like to hear again the insightful and comforting reflections, music and prayers, you can view the recording here.
Peace as we continue to care for one another and our larger community,
Allison