UPDATED August 2nd 2020
Psalms 121:7-8 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
This is a great promise from God, that He will watch over His people as we come and go. As doors and businesses begin to open up a lot sooner than we had planned and we are free to “come and go” to them, God will watch over His people because He is a God who makes powerful promises like that and keeps them. He watches over us not only by protecting us but by giving us knowledge that protects us. God gives us common sense and the ability to make sense of the world in which we live. For example, we know God will watch over us as we “come and go” in our cars, yet we still we buckle up, because…. well… common sense given to us by God. Because of this, as we “come and go” to our indoor worship space, we’ll do so without fear and yet, at the same time, take common sense precautions.
Governor Ever’s Order
Here’s a refresher for what Governor Evers order means for us as we publicly worship God. Governor Ever’s Emergency Order #1 requires everyone aged 5 or older are required to wear a mask when they are indoors in places such as our church, with the following exceptions:
- While children between the ages of 2 and 5 are encouraged to wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible, children under the age of 2 are exempt.
- When eating or drinking. (such as the Lord’s Supper)
- When communicating with an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing and communication cannot be achieved through other means.
- While a single individual is giving a religious presentation for an audience, the single speaker may remove the face covering when actively speaking. While the face covering is removed, the speaker must remain at least 6 feet away from all other individuals at all times. (Pastor has been wearing a mask anyways, unless he’s had difficulty preaching with it on).
- Individuals who have trouble breathing.
- Individuals with medical conditions, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, or other sensory sensitivities that prevent the individual from wearing a face covering.
Both congregations wrestled with indoor worship and had different approaches for handling it.
Here is Immanuel’s plan. Currently, Immanuel is on “PHASE ONE” August update Immanuel
You can download Immanuel’s guidelines here.
Here is St. Paul’s plan. Currently, St. Paul’s is on “PHASE ONE” August Update St. Paul's
You can download’s St. Paul’s guidelines here.
Please bear in mind there are other worship options you are free to use, such as:
Online Public Worship:
- Morrison Zion Lutheran’s Youtube channel (livestreaming: Sundays 9am Wednesdays 10am) Click here.
- St John Maribel Youtube channel Click here
- Messiah in Bellevue: http://messiahgb.org/
Radio:
- St. Paul’s Lutheran in Appleton: 1280AM Sundays @ 8:00am
Private communion is still offered,
If you, like some, still desire to receive private communion, I am ready and willing to serve. Call my cell (920.632.8632) and set up a time and day. We can meet in your home, in the church sanctuary (groups under 10), or even at a picnic table.