Greetings in name of Christ who loves us and invites us to love one another!
A central message of the Gospel is God’s amazing love of us. This love of God was revealed so profoundly in the sacrificial life that Jesus lived for the world and people he loved. Jesus freely set aside his privilege and rights for the sake of others. Jesus, who should have had his feet washed, washed the feet of his friends (John 13). Jesus, “though he was God, did not think of equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave.” (Philippians 2:6-7).
We are invited to “have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Philippians 2:4)
So how do we practically do that? It’s about loving our neighbour as ourselves. It’s about looking out, not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others. It’s about paying attention to the needs of those around us, even as we care for ourselves. It’s about allowing the love of Christ to guide our choices and actions. It’s about setting aside our individual “rights” at times, to extend grace, and care for the needs of others.
It’s in that Spirit that the Church Ministry Council offers an update on mask protocols going forward.
May we continue to, as we so graciously have over the past two years, live and love like Jesus!
Pastor Ray