The past few weeks have been difficult. We have watched as a virus has turned our world upside down. We have been asked to stay in our homes, as much as possible. It has become a time of isolation for so many. There have been difficult moments for each of us over the past several weeks.
One of the more troubling moments for me was the first Sunday that St. Luke’s hosted worship online – only. Although I was glad that St. Luke’s had the technology to livestream our worship and keep our family of faith connected, I was sad to see our beautiful sanctuary and CLC empty and to know that our Edmond and Asbury campuses were empty as well. I have missed seeing our family of faith. It seems like such a long time ago that we last were together.
In 1880, Jeremiah Rankin wrote a wonderful hymn to help his congregation say goodbye until they worshiped together again. The hymn is “God Be with You till We Meet Again.” It is a musical prayer to say goodbye. The phrase “goodbye” is a contraction of the old English phrase “God be with ye.”
Each time I walk through an empty St. Luke’s, I tell myself that our absence from the sanctuary is an opportunity to pray for one another. We are not a people who simply say, “Goodbye.” We are a people of faith who care for one another. I believe Jeremiah Rankin’s hymn is a good prayer for us to pray today.
God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
with a shepherd’s care enfold you:
God be with you till we meet again.
I am looking forward to that day when we are all back together for worship, but until then, God be with you till we meet again.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
