May 22, 2020 Update Letter
Good Afternoon Joy Family,
Wednesday afternoon the Minnesota North District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Minnesota South District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod sent a joint letter Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison announcing their intention to begin allowing worship services on May 26. A separate letter was also sent by The Minnesota Catholic Conference announcing that the Catholic dioceses in Minnesota are intending to do the same. Local news outlets began reporting on this Wednesday evening and, as Thursday, national news outlets also began to carry the story.
Because of this national news attention, I felt it was important to provide you all with an update regarding what is happening at Joy. First, at this time we do not have a date set for resuming in-person services. We are continuing to acquire the supplies that will be necessary for in-person church services (e.g., hand sanitizer and masks) and are actively working to develop a logistics plan for how to safely use and sanitize our building given current health guidelines. Leadership met on Zoom Wednesday evening to discuss our next steps to this end and we continue to monitor the situation closely and to plan as best we can.
Second, I invite you to be in prayer for our state and national leaders, both in government and in the church. The Apostle Paul urges us to do this in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, writing:
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
For Paul, the kings and those in high position at the time were the same leaders responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion and, at a later date, Paul’s martyrdom. If Paul is willing to pray for the Roman leaders of his day, surely we can likewise pray for our leaders, whatever our political views. President Trump, Governor Walz, Mayor Godfrey, and all in authority could certainly use our prayers during this time. I also ask that you continue to remember our Synodical leadership, District leadership, and Joy’s Leadership and Elder Board in your prayers as they work to help our church family navigate these times.
Lastly, I also want to urge us to continue to be mindful of God’s Word during these times. There are several commandments that come into play as we deal with this pandemic. Consider the following:
The First Commandment: You shall have no other gods.
What does this mean: We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
When we can no longer take things like health and finances for granted, we are reminded that we are fully dependent on God. How have the past few months been reminding you to fear, love, and trust in God above all things?
The Third Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does this mean: We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
What does it look like for us to gladly hear and learn God’s Word when church life has been disrupted?
The Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and your mother.
What does this mean: We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.
How do we honor, serve, obey, love, and cherish our governing authorities at the national, state, or local level, even if we disagree with them?
The Fifth Commandment: You shall not murder.
What does this mean: We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.
How do we support our neighbor’s physical needs during a pandemic, including the need to protect his health?
The Seventh Commandment: You shall not steal.
What does this mean: We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.
How do we help our neighbor improve and protect his income, including his job and business? How do we live this out when businesses are closed and people are losing their employment?
The Eighth Commandment: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
What does this mean: We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way
.
How do we explain everything in the kindest way, including the actions and words of those we disagree with? How does this affect what we say about others, including on social media? How do we speak well of and protect the reputations of others, even when our perspective is different?
As Christians, we may have disagreements about the best way to live out these commandments in our own lives. Likewise, we may also disagree over what it means to live out these commandments in the political realm. However, as Christians we are called to be mindful of God’s will and respectful of all people. Each and every person is valuable and worthy of respect, for God created us in His image and Christ died for all. When you talk to someone or about someone, you are talking to someone or about someone that God created and for whom Christ died. So, dear friends, “let us love one another, for love is from God” (1 John 4:7) and let us lift one another up in prayer.
Thank you for your continued prayers for wisdom and discernment as Joy’s leaders continue to plan and prepare for how and when to resume in-person services. Thank you also for your patience and understanding as we do our best to figure all of this out.
If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly. We’re all in this together, and communication with one another is key.
In Christ,
Pastor Daniel
Wednesday afternoon the Minnesota North District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Minnesota South District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod sent a joint letter Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison announcing their intention to begin allowing worship services on May 26. A separate letter was also sent by The Minnesota Catholic Conference announcing that the Catholic dioceses in Minnesota are intending to do the same. Local news outlets began reporting on this Wednesday evening and, as Thursday, national news outlets also began to carry the story.
Because of this national news attention, I felt it was important to provide you all with an update regarding what is happening at Joy. First, at this time we do not have a date set for resuming in-person services. We are continuing to acquire the supplies that will be necessary for in-person church services (e.g., hand sanitizer and masks) and are actively working to develop a logistics plan for how to safely use and sanitize our building given current health guidelines. Leadership met on Zoom Wednesday evening to discuss our next steps to this end and we continue to monitor the situation closely and to plan as best we can.
Second, I invite you to be in prayer for our state and national leaders, both in government and in the church. The Apostle Paul urges us to do this in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, writing:
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
For Paul, the kings and those in high position at the time were the same leaders responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion and, at a later date, Paul’s martyrdom. If Paul is willing to pray for the Roman leaders of his day, surely we can likewise pray for our leaders, whatever our political views. President Trump, Governor Walz, Mayor Godfrey, and all in authority could certainly use our prayers during this time. I also ask that you continue to remember our Synodical leadership, District leadership, and Joy’s Leadership and Elder Board in your prayers as they work to help our church family navigate these times.
Lastly, I also want to urge us to continue to be mindful of God’s Word during these times. There are several commandments that come into play as we deal with this pandemic. Consider the following:
The First Commandment: You shall have no other gods.
What does this mean: We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
When we can no longer take things like health and finances for granted, we are reminded that we are fully dependent on God. How have the past few months been reminding you to fear, love, and trust in God above all things?
The Third Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does this mean: We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
What does it look like for us to gladly hear and learn God’s Word when church life has been disrupted?
The Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and your mother.
What does this mean: We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.
How do we honor, serve, obey, love, and cherish our governing authorities at the national, state, or local level, even if we disagree with them?
The Fifth Commandment: You shall not murder.
What does this mean: We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.
How do we support our neighbor’s physical needs during a pandemic, including the need to protect his health?
The Seventh Commandment: You shall not steal.
What does this mean: We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.
How do we help our neighbor improve and protect his income, including his job and business? How do we live this out when businesses are closed and people are losing their employment?
The Eighth Commandment: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
What does this mean: We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way
.
How do we explain everything in the kindest way, including the actions and words of those we disagree with? How does this affect what we say about others, including on social media? How do we speak well of and protect the reputations of others, even when our perspective is different?
As Christians, we may have disagreements about the best way to live out these commandments in our own lives. Likewise, we may also disagree over what it means to live out these commandments in the political realm. However, as Christians we are called to be mindful of God’s will and respectful of all people. Each and every person is valuable and worthy of respect, for God created us in His image and Christ died for all. When you talk to someone or about someone, you are talking to someone or about someone that God created and for whom Christ died. So, dear friends, “let us love one another, for love is from God” (1 John 4:7) and let us lift one another up in prayer.
Thank you for your continued prayers for wisdom and discernment as Joy’s leaders continue to plan and prepare for how and when to resume in-person services. Thank you also for your patience and understanding as we do our best to figure all of this out.
If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly. We’re all in this together, and communication with one another is key.
In Christ,
Pastor Daniel
