Friedens Lutheran Church Indoor Worship Plan
From The Pastor:
I pray you are all doing well. I continue to appreciate all of the support of the Council, members, and friends of Friedens during this strange and unexpected year of a pandemic spreading in our country and in the world.
We will begin to gradually resume indoor worship by following recommended protocol on rainy or cold Sundays in September. Then we will be inside every week beginning in October following all recommended guidelines for indoor worship. I want everyone to know that indoor worship cannot look like we were used to before the pandemic. We will not be able to sing or sit in our usual places in the sanctuary. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work through the changes we need to make in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Our Zoom live on Sundays at 9am and recorded video ministry which will be posted on Facebook will continue through the fall months. On Sundays with decent weather, we will provide speakers to hear worship so that individuals and families may hear worship outside of the side doors of our church similar to how we have been in August.
We look forward to everyone in joining us in worshipping our Lord together, however you feel comfortable (in person inside, outside, or on Zoom). I have enjoyed seeing many of your faces here at worship. I pray that the rest of you will stay in touch and continue to join with us in doing God’s ministry in Stony Run.
I am keeping all of us in prayer during this strange and uncertain time.
Blessings to all,
Pastor Althea
COVID-19 Guidelines for Re-Entering the Church Building
Friedens Council has decided that September 2020 will be a transition month. Services will be held outside unless there is inclement weather. If there is inclement weather the service will be held inside the building following social distancing and all guidelines below. We need to be prepared that indoor worship will look different than what we were used to prior to COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon Entering the building:
- Masks will be required inside the building at all times. We will have some available if needed.
- Hand sanitizer and gloves will be available for anyone who wishes to use them.
- Restrooms are open for anyone needing them. Wash hands often!
- No hand shaking, hugging, or other physical contact.
- All church doors will be opened to minimize touch.
- Bulletins will be located in the back of the church if anyone wishes to use them.
- An usher will seat parishioners form front to back using every other pew, maintaining following social distancing. After worship is finished, ushers will dismiss everyone from back to front.
During Indoor Worship:
- There will be no hymnals or cushions in the pews.
- There will be no singing. We encourage you to hum along to your favorite hymns.
- Offering may be placed in the plate near the back of the church.
- There will be no “Sharing of the Peace of Christ”
- Holy Communion elements will also be placed at the back of the church. This is to help minimize contact.
- Everyone will receive Holy Communion at their seat. We will partake in the elements at the same time at the Pastor’s direction.
After Worship:
- Pastor will be available for outside greetings after the service with no physical contact.
- We encourage everyone to join in fellowship conversations outside. Please continue to maintain at least 6 feet of distance outside.
- All pews will be sanitized between services on a weekly basis.
