Getting up in the morning and driving to church seems to be just like any Sunday. I park the car a few minutes before 9:30 a.m. and put on my mask to walk inside.
“Good morning!” smiles Frank. Five or six others walk around greeting each other. Some have masks. Some have taken them off as they set up and get ready for their part of the service. The communion is carefully prepared and laid on the altar.
There are no donuts. No coffee. We take our places, making sure to stay “socially distant.”
Check the mics. Sing. Play. Talk a bit. Is everyone healthy? Just like any Sunday. No one else comes in. We wait. An hour later, Frank announces we should get ready.
Oh no! Facebook Live isn’t working! We scramble around trying to figure out what the problem is and how to tell people we are there. “Hang on! Technical difficulties! It will be just a moment.” A sigh of relief when the problem is fixed.
Doug cues Brad. The music starts. Just like any Sunday.
I look around the sanctuary. The morning sun lights up the stained-glass windows. The wood pews stand ready, but empty.
Larry starts down the aisle to light the candles. Steve and Charley sit down in front of me, looking at the service order while Frank begins talking to the camera. “Joys and Concerns” reminds us of those missing, safe at home.
We check our phones and see some friendly greetings from familiar names: “Good morning!” “We miss you!” “Beautiful music!” “Hello from India!” Wait. Really? India? Wow.
We sing. We pray. We listen. Doug gives us a signal and we are finished. Time to go home.
Just like any Sunday? You are missed.
