Virtual worship
by Pastor Jim Strelan
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‘We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses’ (Hebrews 12:1).
When the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, and you were unable to worship in your home church, you more than likely went online and accessed a church somewhere else in the country where worship was happening. And, hopefully, you didn’t just observe what they were doing, but you worshipped with them. You weren’t physically there, but you worshipped with them virtually.
Today is All Saints’ Day, sometimes known as All Hallows’ Day. In many parts of Europe, on the evening before All Hallows’ Day (All Hallows’ E’en), people go to the local cemetery and light a candle at the grave of their loved one. It’s quite a sight to see the area so full of burning candles. And on this day, you would see hundreds of flowers that people have placed on the graves, remembering and honouring those saints who have gone before. A great cloud of witnesses.
Did you know that every time you worship, you are joining with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, who are praising God around the throne day and night, continuously? That includes your loved ones who died in Christ. You are tuning in, connecting to their worship. All the biblical heroes, great church fathers and reformers, modern-day heroes of faith, people who showed you Jesus, parents, grandparents, and close friends are saints in heaven and on earth praising God, worshipping virtually. In fact, they are worshipping actually. You never worship alone. Even a pandemic can’t separate you from this crowd of witnesses.
Every now and then, close your eyes and sense all those around you, and thank God for them.
Thank you, God, for all those who have gone before me and shown me Jesus. I join them this day in worship. All praise to you. Amen.
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