Rob Prince's Blog, page 42
May 6, 2020
May 5, 2020
May 4, 2020
May 3, 2020
Masks were worn long before Covid-19
On Saturday night, Karla and I ventured into Walmart. It was my first time being in the store in over two months (lucky me!). There was an elaborate entrance maze made up of pylons and caution tape, that we had to walk through to get into the store. A worker was spraying some disinfectant concoction on the shopping carts (At least, I was hoping it was disinfectant as I grabbed the cart). As you probably know, there are traffic flow signs on floor directing which direction one should shop (few people obeyed or noticed the signs). Some folks were wearing masks, some were not and some had them on below their nose and mouth (their chins were well protected from the virus). Some of the masks worn had mouths painted on. One guy’s masked covered most of his face and it looked like the Incredible Hulk. Others were supporting a college or professional sports team (I had on my Michigan Wolverines mask provided to me by Kay Brown and Karla was wearing her mask provided by our seniors). Some had handkerchiefs on, they looked like they were about to rob a stagecoach.
I will admit I was more aware of my surroundings when around the non-masked people. I walked a little quicker as I passed them. Tried to hold my breath on a few occasions. It’s funny how things can change. In my pre-pandemic forays into Walmart, I would have thought the stagecoach-robbing handkerchief guy and the customer with an Incredible Hulk mask would have been the people I would have most wanted to most avoid.
Welcome to our Covid-19 world!
Back in the good ol’ days (before coronavirus) people wore masks too, you just couldn’t see them. They would put on a happy face mask and come to church, when on the inside, they were dying from some troubling circumstance. They would put on a brave mask when I‘d visit pre-surgery. Truth is they were anxious and full of anxiety. People put on a nice Christian mask, when I preached on the evils of lust, greed or the lack of forgiveness. All the while, the invisible mask-wearing-church-goers knew full well that they were battling such sinful thoughts and behaviors.
There are plenty of masks people wear to cover up their true selves. It’s easy to hide behind such coverings and fool even the most intuitive among us. It’s easy to fool me. I’ve been deceived more times than I can to count. Truth be told, I have also worn my share of masks down through the years hoping that my true self would not be revealed. Fooling people is easy, fooling God is impossible. God sees our heart. He knows our thoughts. He is aware of those dark and hidden places. We would do well to heed and take action regarding the author of Hebrews’ reminder:
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-14
Both pre-pandemic and now, people are wearing masks. It’s just easier to tell what kind of mask it is these days.
May 2, 2020
May 1, 2020
April 30, 2020
Missing Sundays at Central Church
On Sundays, back when we used to gather for worship on Sundays (do you remember those good ol’ days?), I’d grab a McDonald’s coffee, then proceed to Donna’s Donuts for a sour cream donut. I’m pretty sure that Donna’s sour cream donuts will be on the buffet line in heaven? Before 6AM, I was in my office, looking over my sermon and praying for the day.
Usually, one by one, the pastors would start to arrive. Nate and Pastor Enosh first– the rest soon followed. At 8:30 we assembled in the conference room for prayer and any updates. Doc Anthony sat in the big chair because, well, he’s Doc Anthony. Generally, I sat on one side and Jon Gildner on the other and all the pastors mixed around. I love ministering alongside these people.
Following prayer, back in my office, I grab my microphone, iPad, service orders, prayer requests, two bottles of water (one per service), and place it all on the front pew in the sanctuary. I tell Nate and Enosh how my sermon should end (Holy Spirit willing) so they are ready to lead the closing song when the time comes.
By then, the first folks for the choir service begin to trickle in. I’d make my way around the sanctuary, greeting the early birds, before heading out to the lobby. Usually a couple of ladies (Sandy Dodge and Jean Robertson) are already at the Information desk. They’ve put candy in the great big dish. I’d grab a Tootsie Roll and ask them about their week.
On my way to the Central Café, I’d say “welcome” to anyone within view. Larry Senter usually is somewhere between the info desk and the café and we talk about which losing Detroit sports team lost on Saturday. I’d greet the greeters and valet parkers at the east doors. The baristas in the café are already making coffee and a few folks are sitting in the booths. I welcome them and move into the Chenoweth Center. At the round table in the northwest corner is a group of men. Doc calls it the “table of knowledge” or something like that. They usually give me great (cough cough) advise about life.
Ron and Cathy Sadler are setting up the room for the 80+ people who’ll show up for Ron’s lesson. As I leave the Chenoweth center, I’d stick my head into the kitchen and say “hi” to Jerry Spears who’s making coffee, then greet the 4 South door greeters. Some running-a-tad-late choir members are coming through the doors. I greet them too, making them even more late. As I head toward our nurseries, I’d greet another half dozen folks in the back hallways. Pastor Wendy and the nursery crew are going over their duties for the day, when I’d stick my head in the room and thank our awesome nursery staff for the great job they do loving our youngest worshippers. Then it’s back to the sanctuary.
Coming in through the platform door, I enter by the brass section. We have some great musicians in the orchestra. I say “Hello” to Toni Webb our percussionist and proceed to greet as many folks as humanly possible. At 9:28 or so, the announcements have started and I’m in my familiar spot on the front row. Plug in my microphone (hopefully), the choir service is about to begin.
The next two services and three hours fly by. The music is great. The prayer times are wonderful. Sometimes I like the sermons. Sometimes they stink. The people of Central are kind even after a stinker. I have yet to be hit by a rotten tomato. Afterwards, I hang out in the foyer until it’s time to go home for Karla’s tasty Sunday dinner.
Another great Sunday morning is in the books.
Why write about my former Sunday morning schedule? I miss it all! Every bit of it. I really miss you! I can’t wait until we are together again. In the meantime, keep looking to Jesus. Keep praying for Central Church, me and all the pastors. Keep joining our livestreamed services and keep inviting your friends to tune in too. Keep giving. Keep loving. Keep caring. Keep serving. Keep being the wonderful people of God!
For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. – Colossians 2:5-7, NRSV
