牧者心聲
復常不復舊
周曉暉牧師
2023 年 7 月 1 日 / 2 日
Click here for English
教會生活正在「復常」。7 月開始，崇拜「始禮曲」響起後，各堂點若仍有座位，教會只會在宣召後及公禱後開門讓遲到會眾入座，此後未及進場的便要參加下一堂的崇拜（敬請不要向事奉人員抱怨，他們正維持讓人專注敬拜的環境）。同時教會也恢復在奉獻時間傳奉獻袋。
另外，7 月的晨更祈禱會終能在副堂提供簡單早餐（過往這也是令人期待的環節）。
不過，「復常」並不等於「復舊」。你大概已發現：附近有些商鋪更換了；不少餐廳已由侍應落單改為自行掃描二維碼點菜；越來越少機會使用紙幣硬幣；有公司保留在家工作的安排；視像會議依然盛行；口罩呢？還未到人人能安然不配戴的時候⋯⋯
「復常」果然不一定代表「復舊」。況且社會政經狀況已經變化，整個世界都面對全球化放緩、甚至收縮。「復常」代表進到全新的境地。一如北宣家五年計劃的總綱「持定使命，進新領域」，教會也在新領域裡「復常」。基督徒雖是世上寄居者，但仍要腳踏實地在世生活。
所謂「復常」，是要走出疫中慣性，銳意重新上路。疫情過去快半年了，我發現自己比之前更忙碌，原因固然是教會內外事情增多，但也因為疫情中新增了好些以往不常有的活動。疫情後，若不好好檢視，時間就會不知不覺被用掉。「復常」是要重整我們的日常，讓主重塑我們的靈命。
這一季的講壇，我們將從以斯拉記第七章讀到尼希米記十三章。以斯拉和尼希米是第二聖殿時期的人物，當時猶大亡國被擄 70 年的日子已經滿了，回歸的猶太人亦已重建好聖殿。二人從各自的寄居處境，踏上回歸故土的「復常」路。
以斯拉重建神子民的信仰，使其能再次居於聖地；尼希米則重建耶路撒冷城牆，使頹垣敗瓦的聖城成為宜居家園。更重要的，是二人都致力重建神子民的聖潔生活。在這條重整的路上，他們都遭遇外憂和內患：子民心志不定、仇敵嘲諷攻訐、信仰被要求妥協⋯⋯但他們卻是越發倚靠神，一邊踏實面對突發情景，一邊祈禱求神恩領。
弟兄姊妹，是時候起來、回到教會，在新領域中一起重建教會生活。這條復常路不會易走，可能會有意料之外的轉折——內有憂困，外有阻攔——但我們只要細察，總能發現神聽禱告、神眷顧、神記念、神憐恤、神施恩的手幫助的片段。讓我們都在復常路上更深刻地經歷神！
Church life is "resuming normalcy." From July, as soon as the “Prelude” for the worship service begins, the church will only admit latecomers after the Call to Worship and Corporate Prayer if seats are still available in various sites. Those who cannot enter the worship halls in time will have to attend the next worship service. (Please do not complain to those who serve. They are only trying to maintain an environment for brothers and sisters to focus on worship.) The church will also resume passing around offering bags during the time for Tithe and Offering.
Besides, a simple breakfast can finally be provided again in the Side Hall at the Dawn Prayer Meetings in July. This really is much awaited.
Nevertheless, "resuming normalcy" does not mean "resuming the old ways." You may be aware: some of the shops have changed; many restaurants are using QR codes for ordering instead of waiters; there are fewer and fewer chances to use banknotes and coins; some companies keep the work from home arrangements; video meetings are still popular; and masks? It is not yet time when everyone would feel safe not wearing them…
It is true that "resuming normalcy" does not necessarily mean "resuming the old ways." Moreover, society's political and economic situation has changed. The whole world is faced with the slowing down or even shrinking of globalization. "Resuming normalcy" really means stepping into whole new horizons, just like the overall theme of NPAC's Five-year Plan: "Steadfast Mission in New Horizons." The church also "resumes normalcy" in new horizons. Although Christians are sojourners in this world, we still need to be down-to-earth in living our lives.
"Resuming normalcy" really means stepping out of the habits during the pandemic and intentionally making your way forward. Now that the pandemic is nearly six months behind us, I found myself busier than before. This is no doubt because there is more business to deal with both inside and outside the church. It is also because activities have been newly introduced during the pandemic, which we do not usually have before. After the pandemic, if they are not properly reviewed, time will be used up unconsciously. "Resuming normalcy" means re-ordering our routines, letting the Lord remold our spiritual lives.
In the sermons of this quarter, we will read from Ezra 7 to Nehemiah 13. Both Ezra and Nehemiah were in the Second Temple Period. The 70-year captivity after the fall of Judah has ended, and the returning Jews have also rebuilt the temple. Separately, the two embarked on the homebound journey of "resuming normalcy" from the contexts of their own sojourn.
Ezra rebuilt the faith of God's people so that they could live once again on the holy land. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, turning rubbles of the holy city into a livable homeland. More importantly, both were dedicated to rebuilding the holy lives of God’s people. During the re-ordering, they faced challenges from inside and outside: the people of God were far from steadfast; the enemies ridiculed and attacked them; there was pressure to compromise their faith... But they all the more depended on God, tackling emergencies pragmatically and praying to God for His gracious guidance at the same time.
Brothers and sisters, it is time to get up and come back to church to rebuild our church life in new horizons. The road to resuming normalcy would not be easy. There may be unexpected interruptions – difficulties within and hindrances without. But if we are observant, we will find episodes that God listens to prayer, God cares, God remembers, God is merciful and God helps by His hand of grace. May we more deeply experience God on the road to resuming normalcy!
| 返回頁首 Back to top |