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In our first livestreamed service,  Pastor Justin talks about “Church” — unpacking the very real church hurt that most, if not all, of us have experienced — or will experience — but also the very real hope for what church should be and can be, particularly when the coronavirus has upended so much of ordinary life. [1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-12]

Resources

What we can do:

1. Follow public health advice from the WHO and DC Government.


2. Give to support the church as we care for and connect with those in need.


3. Serve, as you’re able, or let us know if and how we can help — email info@christcitydc.org.


4. Pray: for those who are sick or who have lost loved ones, those whose livelihoods and paychecks are at risk, those who are serving on the frontlines in hospitals and medical centers, those who are experiencing racism and xenophobia, those who are most vulnerable, those most deeply affected, those with the least margin.

Links:

• Carol Howard Merritt, Healing Spiritual Wounds: Reconnecting with a Loving God After Experiencing a Hurtful Church.


• Letter from Martin Luther, “Whether one may flee from a deadly plague.”


• Order of service for today’s livestream liturgy.

Benediction: “Open Unto Me” by Howard Thurman

Lord, open unto me.

Open unto me — light for my darkness.

Open unto me — courage for my fear.

Open unto me — hope for my despair.

Open unto me — peace for my turmoil.

Open unto me — joy for my sorrow.

Open unto me — strength for my weakness.

Open unto me — wisdom for my confession.

Open unto me — forgiveness for my sins.

Open unto me — love for my hates.

Open unto me — thy Self for my self.

Lord, Lord, open unto me!

Amen.