Ongoing Ministry
Pastor’s Ministry Update
Greetings in Christ our Risen Lord,
It has been an eventful month to say the least. Last month when I sent out my newsletter article I indicated that we would continue to hold regular services and gatherings, however, we would also constantly be reevaluating the pandemic situation in order to proceed with both wisdom and faith. Well, shortly after the publication of that letter things changed dramatically. As a result, it was decided by Mike Francetich, our Head Elder, and I to postpone all large group services and events until the government guidelines and regulations were lifted.
First, let me be clear. In our State of Michigan, religious organizations such as Calvary are not restricted by the Governor’s order regarding gathering. We are exempt, which means we could legally gather without going against the State restrictions. However, what I spoke about in last month’s article, the Law of God, both 4th and 5th Commandments, call us to show our fear and love for God by honoring and obeying earthly authorities, and by not hurting or harming our neighbor in his body, but helping and supporting him in every physical need. We can accomplish both this “honor” of authority, and this “support” of our neighbor by complying with the guidelines and orders given by our federal and state heads.
Last month, when President Trump came out with the guideline that groups of 10 or more people refrain from gathering, we made the difficult decision to suspend our regular services and gatherings. However, we also determined that as long as there were ways for us to do ministry as a congregation without causing great risk to our members we would continue to do so in whatever ways seemed best in this context.
Here is what we have been doing. The elders and Marsha, our secretary, have been calling our members to check in, make sure we have up to date contact info (phone/mail/email), and to let everyone know about our online resources (services, devotions, children’s resources). Elder Rob Bourassa, Renee Meyer and I have been recording and posting our services and other online resources on our website (CalvaryLpLCMS.org). Ray and Mary Gunnel have continued to fill foodbank orders for those in need in our community. The men’s Bible study has been meeting over the phone and internet. I have ministered to our members by phone, and in person; in their homes, at funeral homes, and here at the church.
This brings me to an important item. As wonderful as it is to be able to offer online services, I am not able to properly administer the Lord’s Supper via the internet. In Holy Communion the Church is called to gather together in person as the body of Christ, and as Calvary’s pastor I am called through you, by God, to be the one who administers the gifts of God to this flock. Since neither this “in person” gathering, nor this administering can be accomplished via the internet, we are left with very limited options.
One option would be to take advantage of the religious exemption and gather as we have in the past. This however could prove very irresponsible, potentially increasing the spread and the death-toll of this virus among our own people and our larger community. Furthermore, while legally permissible, this is not showing honor to the guidance of our government leaders who are responsible for our physical wellbeing.
Another option would be to wait until all of this is over before I offer in person ministry to any of our members. While some pastors have chosen to take this direction, after much prayer, deliberation, and conversation with our Head Elder, I have chosen to continue to make myself available to care for the spiritual needs of our congregation members. As I said in last month’s article, “I will continue to come to the places and persons who have called me to bring the life-giving medicine and healing of the Gospel of forgiveness, resurrection, and salvation through Christ.”
(On a very important side note, I was honored to be called to the bedside of Gottfried VonLinsowe in the days before his death. When it came time for his funeral, there is no place I would have rather been than with Jackie and her family, speaking and singing the sure comfort of forgiveness, resurrection and eternal life through faith in Christ. This is what I was called here to do, and these are the times when this kind of ministry is most needed.)
So, since we have decided to care for our physical needs by not gathering together all at once, and since using the gifts of God to care for our congregation’s needs of mind, body and spirit are still my responsibility, here is the plan for how we are going to proceed with Holy Communion, and ministry in general, until we can all gather together in person.
1. I have been meeting, and will continue to meet, with individual families for services of Confession and Absolution, Prayer, and the Sacrament of the Altar. These services have been by appointment in the church Sanctuary. In these services I have been taking great care in preparing the elements, and disinfecting the pews and communion rail in order to minimize the risk of anybody catching any illness (Reference last month’s article for related details). Beginning this week I am going to schedule most of these services on Sunday morning so that we can all reclaim a little bit of normalcy. (I will still be available to schedule during the week for those who are unable to schedule a time on Sunday, but please try to schedule for Sunday if at all possible).
2. I will continue to go to those who desire my pastoral visits. While in those places of residence I will gladly comply to any precautionary measures those individuals deem appropriate. I will always prepare the communion elements with the utmost care, wash my hands upon arrival, refrain from touching many surfaces, and maintain an appropriate social distance within the context of my visit.
3. I will continue to record services, prayers, family devotions, songs, and Bible studies on Facebook (the services are available to anyone with an internet connection through the link which we have on our website). If you are not Facebook friends with me, look me up: Michael James Grannis. I am posting something about every other day or so.
4. I will continue to encourage the elders in their phone calls to members, even as I ask you members to reach out to others in the congregation. Take the time to reach out to a few people you know, as well as a few people you don’t know. A great question to ask is “How can I pray for you”…and then lift up that prayer to God with them.
5. I will continue to send out a weekly prayer over our church phone message system. IF YOU ARE NOT GETTING OUR MESSAGES please call our church and let us know so that your number can be added or updated on our list. (313) 381-6715.
In short, I will continue to be available for whatever pastoral need you may have. If there is need of a baptism, or funeral, pastoral counseling or confession, guidance through the Word or reception of the Sacrament, I am here for you.
Living forever, now,
Pastor Michael James Grannis