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 Mark 4:34-41 35 On that day, when evening had come, (Jesus) said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

After several months coping with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are getting restless.  So let us pause and listen to Jesus’ words to the waves and chaos of the storm: “Peace!  Be still!”  We simply cannot have the mean-spirited rancor of divisions and be well.  We need to listen to one another and Jesus.  “Peace!  Be still!”   This time of pandemic has caused terrible loss of life and financial crisis for many. 

This time of pandemic in the church has shown us that the church is not a building but the people.  We continue to share the love of Jesus and do God’s work.  We continue to share the good news about Jesus through worship.  The Holy Spirit continues to inspire us to reach out to one another in new ways and through new technology helping us to remain connected. 

When our anxiety rises, we need to remember the words of Jesus, “Peace!  Be still!”  God is still leading the church.  We are still the church together.   The photo is one of the stained glass windows at St. John’s.  The image represents Christ as our rock in the midst of stormy seas – in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.   Jesus Christ is indeed our rock to which we always need to cling.   No matter how you experience the pandemic at this moment (with fear, uncertainty, boredom, loss, loneliness) know that Jesus is still the rock to which you cling.  

Hear Jesus say, “Peace!  Be still!”  We have much to learn about ourselves during this time.  Know, that whatever you are learning, Jesus never leaves you, Jesus forgave you, and Jesus loves you.           

Peace.  Be still.   ~    Pastor Michelle