Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:1–3, NLT)

This Sunday marks the first time in a while that there will be no mask mandate for church worship services. To this news, some folks are cheering, “Hallelujah! It’s about time!”

I’m sure that many of us have been patiently (or impatiently) waiting for the removal of pandemic restrictions (especially those related to church worship). And the good news is… it all begins this Sunday!

Getting to this point has taken a long, long time. In fact, it is almost two years since the initial Covid shut down first began! Although pandemic restrictions were removed temporarily last summer, I think that many of us had a sense that it was not quite over yet. Now that Delta has passed, and with the Omicron variant proving to be less difficult, and with no new variants on the horizon, it seems that – perhaps – we can all breathe (pun intended) a little bit easier.

However, as we come to worship this Sunday, I have a new pastoral concern.

I am concerned for those who want to worship with us in-person, who may still need to wear a mask.

Just as there were reasons that some of us could not wear a mask when masking restrictions were in place, there are also good reasons that might keep some of us in masks.

Some people may be concerned about catching Covid and losing valuable work time.
Some people may be concerned about family members who are immune compromised.
Some people may need to mask because they recently had Covid.
Some people may need to mask because they themselves are immune compromised.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul encourages us to lead a life that is worthy of our calling. Then he urges us to be humble and gentle with each other. And, to be patient with each other. He implores us to “make allowances for each other… because of love.”

In the months ahead, I am asking that we would be patient with each other. Let’s put the mask debate and our opinions on masks behind us as we move forward together. Let’s remember that our number one purpose, as we walk into our church building, is to honor and glorify the Name that is above every name, the Name of Jesus, our Lord.

I love you all and I hope to see you this Sunday!

Pastor Steve Pahl