Community Church
By Johan Dodge
Reverend
As I write this, we have begun to receive vaccines in the community, and there is still a ways to go before everyone is vaccinated. In my own home, my wife is recovering from a blessedly mild case, and my children and I have thus far been spared—although we have had our scares and testing. Now there are reports of new variants of the virus, and we are in a race against time to get people vaccinated. There is a light at the end of the tunnel in the summer or fall, but that time table may be pushed back if we are waiting for booster shots to contain the new variants, which, blessedly, are already in development.
In the midst of it all, we will read Gospel of Mark this week and see the accounts of Jesus healing people with fevers–who are understood to be possessed by demons. To be clear, there are dark forces that possess us, that play on our fears and turn us against one another and God’s creation. But there is also the light of Jesus, who is the love of God for all of creation. And so this week, in the midst of the darkness–with the storms raging around us–look for Jesus. Look for Jesus not in the church building, but in the church body. The body of Jesus is you, your neighbors, your friends and your family. The body of Jesus lives now, even in this moment, to drive out the demonic forces of darkness that would seek to control us. Amidst this darkness, seek the light of God’s divine love and truth. Join Community Church on Sundays for worship at 9:50 a.m. on Facebook live @communitychurchleisureworld. There will be a worship service on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. on Zoom and Facebook. A Lenten resource is available in the church office with daily Scripture and weekly prayers. Contact the church office to have one sent to you, or you can pick up a copy at the office.
To join the virtual fellowship, call the church office or email leisurewccsue@yahoo.com. Those who don’t have a computer or Facebook can call (562) 431-2503 and listen to the weekly message beginning Sunday evening.
If you are in need without another way to address it, call the church office to leave a direct message at (562) 431-2503.
