SPC youth read the scripture for last week’s Sunday virtual worship service. Like many churches in the area, the the church is using a mix of virtual technology to “connect” and meet with members and visitors, including online meeting apps, website, Facebook, teleconferencing and phone visits during this time of social distancing and need to follow local, state and national guidelines for staying home. Worship attendees participated in a variety of dress, ranging from workout clothing to Sunday best. Those interested in accessing SPC’s Zoom services can call the church office for the meeting access code. All are welcome here!

Although SPC is not meeting during the Coronavirus pandemic, Ginger Hedblom, liturgical artist, has placed luminaries outside the church to offer a moment of spiritual nurture and a reminder to pray for the community and the world during these difficult times in dealing with the pandemic. The luminaries are on display all week for the Southport community.

“Although we are unable to gather to worship as a whole congregation or to meet together in person, we are able to pray for one another, our community, nation, and world,” said Dr. Rev. Ann B. Jahnes, SPC Pastor. “We are able to check in on one another. We are able to connect via telephone, tweet, text, email, and internet. We are able to be the church in a different way, because church is not an hour of worship each week, nor is it a committee meeting or a Bible study,” she said. Church is being the Body of Christ, empowered by his Holy Spirit.”

“Our luminary display represents our prayers for the ‘Lights of Guidance’ to show us the way to navigate this troubled pandemic path,” said Jahnes. “This includes the Light of Hope to encourage those who suffer in illness or who wait in quarantine; the Light of Peace to those who grieve; the Light of Presence for those who those isolated by ‘social distancing;’ the Light of Comfort for those who are anxious, the Light of Healing for those who are treating the sick; the Light of Wisdom for those making difficult decisions for our safety; and the Light of Christ to shine upon our troubled world.”

In her online message to the SPC congregation, Jahnes encouraged them in the day and weeks ahead to challenge themselves to “Be the Church,” and ask how they are choosing their unexpected free time to love, serve, care, pray, sing, and celebrate the Spirit of Christ within and around them.

Southport Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship will begin its series of Lenten Services with an Ash Wednesday noon service at Trinity United Methodist Church. The Reverend Joanna Hipp, Associate Pastor with Southport Presbyterian Church, will be the speaker. See the full schedule of Lenten Services.