Covid-19 headlines and worries peppered and digested with eggs, green salads, and baked potatoes are par for the course at every meal. And conversations with relatives, friends, and even creditors often end with a coronavirus reminder and caution, “STAY SAFE.” Greetings to fellow shoppers at CVS, Walmart, Publix, and other places include “Hi or hello and “STAY SAFE.”

Seems like it’s a covid-19 day, every day.

Yes, we must STAY SAFE. But in the midst of shutdowns, stay-at-home orders, sanitizer and bathroom tissue scarcities, we must also stay connected to God.

The Bible says to remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.

Where am I going with this knowing that Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Protestant, Pentecostal, other denominational, and non-denominational churches’ doors are closed?

Please read on.

As a child in the country, we went to church, on the Sabbath, if we didn’t go anywhere else. Every Sunday morning, I was awakened by the song, “The Love of God,” playing on the radio. There was no mistaking what day it was.

It was SUNDAY!

And we girls put on our Sunday best, which included spit-cleaned or greased patent-leather shoes. In those days, stored bacon grease was a multi-purpose commodity. Two tablespoons was oil enough for delicious cornbread. A two-finger dip moistened ashen faces and legs. And a little bit less smeared on patent leather created luster galore.

From those early years until today, the Sabbath assembly has been the nucleus, anchor, the light, and life source of religious fellowship.

Do I have a WITNESS OR AN AMEN?

Together with thanksgiving, prayer, worship, and congregational praise, we make a joyful noise unto the Lord. That brings to mind the beloved song, “I Just Can’t Stop Praising His Name.”

Honoring God every day, especially on the Sabbath, is what Christians do. And Christ wants all Christians to obey the Sabbath commandment willingly. This designated day is a time of rest from our toils and work to renew our spirit.

The government says to remember coronavirus Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Sabbath, to “slow the spread.” And we must honor President Trump’s 15 days + guidelines. Most of us are sheltered in place, quarantined, isolated, or stay-at-home-ordered.

The assembly of the saints is practically forbidden every day of the week, even on the Sabbath.

God does not force us to praise and honor Him any day, including on the Sabbath. But the same can’t be said about local, state, and federal ordinances about staying at home during this covid-19 pandemic.

I’ve heard people say, “They took prayer out of school.” But there’s a distinction between prayer not being a part of the school opposed to the school children. For a large part, keeping prayer in school was about the children who weren’t being taught Christianity at home.

But should we depend on strangers, even teachers, to teach our children about God and prayer?

No prayer in school, and now the church doors are closed.

What now?

Homeschool is the best schooling to teach our children about Christianity and prayer. My Mom always says, “Charity (God’s love) starts at home and spreads abroad.”

Love and obeying the Golden Rule start at home.

But thank God, today’s technology helps us to open another door when one closes. We’re not locked out of fellowship and worship options.

Some pastors, Sunday School teachers, and other church servants have advanced beyond the fray of the coronavirus’ no assembling edicts. Many use audio or video conferencing, Facebook, Instagram, and other mediums for virtual religious assemblies to stay connected. Others may mail audiotaped sermons and studies to congregants.

The church hasn’t disbanded. People aren’t locked out. Christians are still praying, praising, thanking, and worshipping God.

God is everywhere. No building can contain Him.

Let everything with breath praise God in these turbulent and challenging times.

If technology fails and the church doors remain closed for a few months, we’re not without our fail-safe.

We can worship and pray to God where ever we are: at home, on the job, and anywhere else. You don’t have to go to St Paul Cathedral, Bethel Baptist, Zion AME, or any other particular place.

Christianity is a personal relationship with God.

The church doors are always open in our hearts. With the heart, we worship God in spirit and truth.

That’s not to say I won’t be overjoyed when my church, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, reopens its door. And we’re able to reconvene, worship, and fellowship together on one accord.

What a time we will have!

And I know you feel the same about your church.

Stay home and Stay Safe!

And whether online or offline, remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20 KJV).

God bless you and your family.