“In You My Soul Takes Refuge”

It is my prayer that our worship service made available Sunday morning via the internet fulfilled its purpose. Staying home and practicing the discipline of social distancing because of the coronavirus, the service was provided electronically so we could experience the grace and encouragement of Christian community by way of prayers and songs, the reading and proclamation of God’s Word in addition to affirming our faith using the words of the Apostles’ Creed. We hope to add one special feature and that is the morning homily for our children.

Kay accompanied me to the church campus Sunday morning, her only travel away from home in the last week. After a brief message and links to the service were emailed to members and friends of the church, we walked down the hallway to the sanctuary. Standing in the rear and holding hands, looking together at the chancel with the beautiful stained glass windows, the baptismal font, pulpit, Lord’s Table, piano, organ, and other pieces of furniture, I offered the following prayer, “Good morning, Lord. What a different kind of morning this is. We ask that you watch over the people of this congregation and wider community, and may this time of trouble soon pass. May we abide in your strength, comfort and peace. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.”

Walking to the car I commented to Kay that serving on a Navy ship in a combat zone, I was still  able to lead Protestant worship and attend the Catholic service led by a Eucharistic Lay Reader EXCEPT for those occasional Sunday’s in the Red Sea when a supply ship was headed our way, then it was “all hands on deck.” Unless you were manning a duty station, officers and enlisted personnel reported immediately to the main deck, where we would roll up our sleeves and work side by side receiving, passing, stacking and delivering the much needed supplies and groceries quickly coming aboard. Even when the Keeler family has evacuated the lowcountry because of an approaching hurricane, whether it was in Georgia or North Carolina, we attended Sunday services. Yesterday made a lasting impression. I don’t think I will every forget Kay and I standing in the sanctuary surrounded by empty pews.

Until this coronavirus passes by, may we find solace in Scriptural passages like the one forwarded to me by a good friend earlier today, “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. (Psalm 57:1)

For the time being, let us continue to follow the guidance and recommendations of our public health officials, civic leaders, and government agencies. Committed to doing our part, the day is coming when the storm of destruction will pass by and then it will be “all hands on deck.” We will have the opportunity to roll up our sleeves, stand side by side, and work together so life may return to what we know as normal. Until then, remain vigilant as we “remain calm in a time of distress, extend compassion to those who are suffering, and pray for the healing of the world.” Stay safe! Stay well!

In Christ. +

—
Steve Keeler, Pastor