“Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost. Now I’m making my way to the foot of the cross. It’s not a trophy for the winners. It’s a shelter for the sinners. And it’s right where I belong. Take me back to the place that feels like home, to the people I can depend on, to the faith that’s in my bones. Take me back to a preacher and a verse, where they’ve seen me at my worst, to the love I had at first. Oh, I want to go to church.”
I am sure that at least some of the words to that song, “I Want To Go To Church,” echo the feelings that a lot of us have. Perhaps we have gotten out of the house a few times, and it felt good. Perhaps we have gotten out and seen a few people that we know, and that felt good too. Now we want to get back to church on a Sunday morning and get that familiar warm and comforting feeling that comes from listening to the Bible readings, singing familiar hymns, and doing it all together with people we have known for a while and maybe for a long, long time.
The good news is that we are going to be open for you to come and worship at Grace at 9 am on Sunday, August 9.
The less good news is that I am going to try and convince you that it probably is NOT a good idea for many of you to come at this time. The Covid-19 cases are on the rise in Bremer County and the Center for Communicable Diseases says that the worst place to be these days is in an indoor, confined space, with a group of other people.
For those who do come, we will wear a mask and maintain social distancing and follow the guidelines provided in our newsletter and on this website. May God continue to bless us in these challenging times.
Pastor Dennis Niezwaag, August 2020