July 12, 2021 in Bishop, Bishop messages, Communications, Public Health
Prayer and Encouragement from Bishop Davenport
In a video message, Bishop Patricia A. Davenport offers prayer for our leaders and congregations as together we continue to press through to the other side of the pandemic.
In this pastoral word of encouragement, the Bishop asks Lutherans to be gentle with one another as individuals and congregations have varying feelings about returning to in-person gatherings. As the Delta variant continues to claim lives, the bishop says: “In love as disciples of Christ we too give our lives for the sake of the other. We encourage vaccinations as per the instructions of the experts and we trust that those who choose not to be vaccinated will continue to wear their masks to protect others as we continue to gather in person.”
Watch the video or read the transcript below.
“Nothing right now is normal…”
Greetings beloved. I pause today to offer a prayer and a word of encouragement as we continue to press through to the other side of this pandemic. Join me in a prayer taken from All Creation Sings. Let us pray.
Sovereign God, your Son Jesus lived within the structures of society even as he spoke truth to those in power and challenged systems of oppression. Empower us to be courageous disciples and responsible citizens. Grant that our life in the public realm be grounded in the love for our neighbors, care for the most vulnerable in our midst and respect for the common life we share, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
After conversation with some of our lay and rostered ministers, I take this opportunity to ask that we be gentle and kind with one another as we slowly move to returning to our new abnormal, because nothing right now is normal for many. Please, listen to the infectious disease experts, especially our own, Dr. Babinchak, a member of St. John’s Phoenixville, Dr. Michael Osterholm, a member of the President’s COVID 19 Advisory Board, a Lutheran who speaks to the conference of bishops with updates. Go to MinistryLink.org to hear a word of wisdom. We pay attention to the CDC guidelines and we listen to the words of scripture.
Jesus says in John 13:34, “I give you a new commandment that you love one another just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
Yes. In love as disciples of Christ we too give our lives for the sake of the other. We encourage vaccinations as per the instructions of the experts and we trust that those who choose not to be vaccinated will continue to wear their masks to protect others as we continue to gather in person.
Please know that we continue in prayer for our frontline workers as this Delta variant is claiming lives daily. We pray for those who continue to mourn the loss of loved ones. We pray your strength as together we continue building the kingdom of God in Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Synod, that we might be the beloved community that God calls us to be.
Stay blessed and stay safe for your sake and for the sake of the other. God bless you all.
