Good evening: How many times did you log in to the internet today? Did you check email first thing this morning, instant message a friend after breakfast, check a family member’s Facebook post at lunchtime? Maybe you’ve had a Zoom meeting somewhere along the line. We depend on that constant cyber connection for so much in our lives. If it’s interrupted, our contact with others is gone. It doesn’t matter if we logged on yesterday, five hours ago, or two minutes ago, if the internet isn’t on continually, we lose its benefit. Where would we be without it? Our connection with Jesus is like that. By faith we are united with Him. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). Faith joins us so closely to the Lord that everything He did becomes our blessing. He lived in perfect obedience to the Father. By faith that righteousness is given to us, so that the Father sees us as perfectly holy. On the cross Jesus suffered the punishment for sin, overcame death, and rose again. By faith forgiveness and life are ours. That same faith moves us and enables us to live for Jesus and to love our neighbor. But if that faith connection with Jesus is interrupted and cut off, we lose everything. It doesn’t matter if at one time in the past, someone knew and believed in Christ. If they lose their faith, the connection is broken and eternal life is lost. How tragic that is! How common it is! The Lord wants all to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). God wants all His children to stay connected to Jesus through that same Word. That is why the writer to the Hebrews pleaded, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Heb. 10:25). That is why study of the Word is not just for confirmation students, but is a lifelong pursuit for all believers. Whether we are searching the Scriptures in our everyday devotions, participating in Bible class, talking to a friend about the Savior, or looking forward to meeting in the Lord’s house tomorrow, may we pray with the psalmist: “LORD, how sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Ps. 119:103). Where would we be without it? Yours in Christ, Pastor Spring work day tomorrow (Sat.) beginning at 9 a.m.: There are a variety of tasks both inside and out. Your help is appreciated. Sunday services are at 8:00 and10:45 a.m. The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated. The choir will be singing at the end of first service and the beginning of second. Sunday school: 9:30 a.m. and adult Bible class: 9:45 a.m. (Meet in the sanctuary) The public school confirmation class meets at 12:15 p.m. Service changes approved by the voters: Online signup for Sunday services will be eliminated immediately. For the month of May: First service will be mask-required along with every-other-pew social distancing. Communion will be served in the pews. Second service is mask-optional with no social distancing. Communion will be distributed at the altar according to normal practice. Beginning in June: All special precautions will be eliminated.
