Sermons & Stories

As we pray for healing this evening, it helps to understand that we are also mourning. We’re mourning loss of life, loss of jobs, loss of physical connection. We’re mourning the loss of planning, the loss of control, the loss of normal. We might say we’re ok, but it’s not ok.

It’s not ok when so much of our world has shut down.

It’s not ok when funerals take place without loved ones present.

It’s not ok when hugging a friend is dangerous.

A global pandemic is not ok. We are grieving. It’s important to name it. It’s also important to stress that this is temporary. This is not our reality forever. We just have to make it through.

So we are reaching out individually and collectively. We will continue to reach out – so our loved ones can help pick up our pieces after we crumble and so we can do the same for them. We will continue to offer encouragement and love as we share our tears of pain and our tears of laughter. We will continue to get through this together because we are resilient.

We ask God and our loved ones and our community to be with us during these difficult moments. Strengthen us when we falter. Comfort us when we fear. Heal us when we break. Heal us body and soul. Heal our region and our nation and our world. Heal us swiftly, completely. Avinu Malkeinu, Heal us now.