by Rev. Benjamin Chung (鍾立恆牧師)
I just saw a video of myself on Facebook testing out the Portal device, as I wanted to test out a method to do online worship service. It was a year ago. Time does fly, even during SIP! But I do recall talking to members about how the initial “2 weeks to flatten the curve” was predicted to not be the correct period of time and that it could last a year. Now, it looks like we might have a few more months and even then, how will we come together at church and in small groups?
Just as we had to “pivot” to the New Normal a year ago, it appears that we’ll soon be pivoting to a New New Normal. The church leaders have been staying up to date on the recent lifting of restrictions. SF and San Mateo Counties are currently in the Red Tier (25% capacity indoors) and San Mateo County will be in the Orange Tier (50% capacity indoors) very soon. We know that some churches have already begun indoor worship services in the Bay Area just recently (and a few never closed their doors). As for SFCBC, we will be implementing the procedures and protocols we’ve seen other churches do, follow the guidelines put forth by the city, and have a soft opening on 3/28. This is a week before Resurrection Sunday.
Church family, I say “See You Again!” because that’s what we say in Chinese. Literally, “Again See” in English. We will be opening the doors soon and I hope to see all of you. If you are hesitant to come in-person, don’t worry! We will still have online streaming. But isn’t it so much more wonderful when we can worship in person, in the physical presence of other brothers and sisters?! This is why we sought to use Zoom, over other online methods. Matthew 18:20 (ESV) does say, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” We are also familiar with, “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25). And lastly, let us consider the Psalmists cry, “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!” (Psalm 34:3). 再見!
Translation:
最近我看到一個早前自己在面書裡測試如何使用智慧螢幕拍攝網上崇拜的短片。那已經是一年前的事了。就是在居家令的日子，時間也是同樣地在飛逝。但我確實記得曾與一些會友談論過有關最初「用兩星期修平曲線」的講法是如何不正確地預測時間，此疫情將有可能會持續一年的問題。現在看來我們還需要持續多幾個月，我們該怎樣在教會和小組裡走在一起呢?
就如一年前我們必須「轉向」新常態一樣，我們似乎很快就會轉向「新新常態」裡。教會的長執們一直在關注解除限聚令的最新情況。三藩市和聖馬刁縣目前位於紅色警示（室內人數容量限於25％），聖馬刁縣很快便轉為於橙色警示（室內人數容量限於50％）。我們知道最近一些在灣區的教堂已經開始了室內敬拜（有些教堂甚至從未關閉過）。至於三藩市浸信會，我們將根據觀察其他教堂的運作而訂下新的程序和禮節，我們亦會遵守本市發出的指導方針，教會將在3/28 試開。這亦是復活節的前一周。
主內的家人們啊，當我說跟你再見的時侯，亦是再見你的意思。我們將很快便打開教堂大門，我多希望能見到你們每一位。如果您暫時未願親自回來，請勿擔心！ 我們仍然會繼續有網上直播。 但若然我們能以和其他兄弟姐妹親身見面一同敬拜，這豈不更加精彩嗎？這就是為何我們試圖使用Zoom 而不是用其他在線方法。馬太福音18:20 確實說：「因為無論在那裡，有兩三個人奉我的名聚會，那裡就有我在他們中間。」我們也很熟悉：「你們不可停止聚會，好像那些停止慣了的人，倒要彼此勸勉，既知道那日子臨近，就更當如此。」（希伯來書10:25）。 最後，讓我們思考一下詩人的呼喊：「你們和我當稱耶和華為大，一同高舉他的名。」（詩篇34:3）再見!