Important Message to the People of St. Paul Lutheran Church regarding Worship Services during Health Emergency Crisis
St. Paul to Re-Open for Worship Services
Sunday, June 7, 2020 is the date St. Paul will again gather in person for worship services in the church sanctuary. Worship services will be offered at 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM. Holy Communion will be offered at both worship services to allow all to end their fast from the Lord’s Supper.
We all look forward to returning to worship, to see one another, care for each other, be encouraged by friends, and receive Jesus’ Body and Blood in Holy Communion. We have to realize, however, that something very significant has happened in all of our lives, and even our congregation will be changed. We all will have to adapt to the reality that some things we do at church will have to remain suspended for a while because of the threat of the coronavirus. We also will have to adopt some new routines.
What will it be like when we re-gather for worship on Sunday, June 7th?
- If you are uncomfortable returning to the worship gathering immediately due to any health concerns, please know that if you miss worship you may continue to view St Paul’s worship service each week at the church website (www.stpaulamherst.com) and on St. Paul’s Facebook page.
- You may give your offerings through the church website also.
- If you will be remaining home for a while, please notify the church office so that we can make arrangements to for you to receive Communion.
- If you are sick or have symptoms of coronavirus, please stay home until your doctor gives you permission to be in public gatherings such as worship services.
- For those returning to worship services, we strongly urge everyone attending will be asked to bring their facemask and wear it. We will have face masks available for anyone who needs one. While we can’t force anyone to do this, still Christian love for our neighbor moves every one of us to do this simple act which may save a person from illness or death.
- Every-other pew will be closed off to allow for social distancing. We request that parties or families sitting in the same pew allow 6 feet of space between the next party or family. Warning: this might mean that some of us may not be able to sit in “their pew.” Also, please do not sit at the end of a pew, but move 6 feet in, to allow social distance between you and the people passing in the aisles.
- Hymnals, pencils, pew cushions have been removed to allow for all surfaces to be sanitized between worship services.
- Communion will be served in a walking manner on the main floor. We will ask everyone to keep 6 feet of distance as we come forward to receive Communion, and we will mark the floor as in the supermarket checkout lines. Pastor and Elder will give the bread while wearing facemasks and medical gloves.
- Hand sanitizing stations with Clorox wipes will be placed at every entry door and at restroom doors.
- Bulletins will be offered to worshippers, and we ask worshippers to take them with them or dispose of unwanted bulletins in the recycling container. We do not want used bulletins to be reused for the next worship service. We will have some bulletins printed with the music treble cleft for those who read the music while singing the hymns.
- At the conclusion of each worship services, ushers will release people row by row to exit. This is to avoid the congestion of people in the aisles, to keep social distance of 6 feet between parties/family units.
- Hand shaking will be suspended.
- Fellowship with other attenders will occur, while keeping 6 feet of distance between parties. Due to space limitations in the lobby/narthex, we encourage conversations to take place outdoors.
What will be unchanged?
- God’s grace will be celebrated with joy, hymns sung, sins forgiven.
- Jesus will be personally offered to you in Holy Communion, reassuring you of His love, forgiveness, and hope.
- God’s people will gather to rejoice with one another, comfort and encourage one another, and just catch up on what’s happening in each other’s lives.
- The familiar sights and sounds of the music and the worship sanctuary will feel like home and bring back memories of God’s grace.
- We will still be moved to lay before God our gifts of time, talent, and treasure to extend His kingdom.
In the meantime until Sunday, June 7th, please continue to keep faith in Jesus strong as you join us every week online at www.stpaulamherst.com
PRAYER REQUESTS may be submitted prior to worship services. You may either place your prayer request on the “Prayer Wall” at St. Paul’s web site (https://www.stpaulamherst.com/prayer-wall/ ), you may email your prayer request prior to worship services to Pastor ( ) or call Pastor (586/201-3302).
GIVING YOUR OFFERINGS TO GOD – No matter what the circumstance in our lives, generosity to God expresses our love and thankfulness to Him. Church expenses remain constant during this time and your gifts remain vital to the ongoing ministry of St. Paul. If you are absent from worship, you may give your offerings in these ways: (1) mail in your regular offering envelopes; (2) by credit card through the church website; and (3) by automatic debit using our Simply Giving program. We are happy to mail a Simply Giving enrollment form. Just let the church office know.
