God’s Word lays out that Christians should gather together for worship. It also teaches that worship is first about what we receive from our Lord in Word and Sacrament. Our praise is always in response to what God has already done (hence the opening verse of prayer offices “O Lord open thou my lips… and my mouth will declare your praise”).

We have encountered a time when a certain amount of our membership cannot attend church due to higher risks of infection. For a time this can be bore in love for all of our neighbors. For a time, this is the best many Christians can do is to have live-stream or video services in their own homes. Remembering how Gods’ Word accomplishes that for which He sent it, we trust in Him to care for us through this short time.

We must be on guard however as the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh will find ways to get us to forget about gathering together. “Online Church” is a temporary measure. It should never become a real substitute for any long period of time. Much is lost when we are isolated (the devil has used isolation to destroy faith in Jesus before and does still today).

Pray that we can come back together as a whole church sooner rather than later. God is faithful, He will preserve us. God is faithful, He will gather us together again.

Here are some tips for attending “online church”.