Apology From Pastor Louis!

For those who heard my sermon in person or later online from Sunday, Sept 3, 2023, please accept my sincere apology for something I shared in that sermon. I was sharing a "personal confession" about my plan to enjoy a particular Sunday during my retirement where I was planning to watch worship service online instead of going to my usual in person worship service in order to watch both the 49er's and Raiders football games aired on public network channels (I ended cable TV early during COVID). Although I tried to make clear this would be a rare occasion for me to miss live worship service, I later realized this was a mistake that I need to correct. 

Ultimately, all of us will give an account for our lives to our Lord and Savior for every thought, act, and decision we make in our lives (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). It will not matter what everyone else thinks. It will only matter what God thinks. (Please note, this judgment seat of Christ is not for our salvation or possible loss of our salvation. It is in the context of rewards for Christians.) But when we stand face to face with the Son of God who died for us, do we want to seem ungrateful for all He has done for us? God's incredible love and grace should compel us to please God in every aspect of our being.

As a Christian leader, I need to set a better more consistent example for others. As much as I enjoy watching live football games on TV, I cannot justify missing even one live in person worship service just to watch a game at home on TV. So instead, I have decided I will still plan to worship live and in person at a nearby church with my wife and come home and try to watch the later afternoon game. 

Please understand I am not judging anyone else and whatever decisions they make about similar situations. But for myself, the importance of live in person worship and fellowship opportunities must take priority over simple hobbies and personal interests. (To those who cannot attend live worship due to disabilities, thank you for taking the time and effort to watch worship online.)

Finally, I think we all understand there may be special times where we miss live Sunday worship for special times with family and friends, or because of work. Even these situations are subject to our own personal conscience before God.

Thanks for your understanding and forgiveness.

Pastor Louis Lee