Corona Virus, COVID 19 UpdateDear Brothers and Sisters at Grace Lutheran PSL, Jesus is Lord of the Church, and we are called to be His disciples. This value guides us as we face the difficult challenge of responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19), which the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on Wednesday. These are uncertain times which can bring us great anxiety. What do we do in such times? We seek refuge in the Lord! He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). No matter who you are, first and foremost, seek Jesus who will give you His peace that passes all understanding. Next, we want you to know that we are doing everything we can to make things as safe as possible for those who join us for worship. We are having church services this Sunday, March 15th. So, we will offer worship in person at 8:30 and 10:15. We will also still have our voters meeting in between the 2 services tomorrow (9:45). We want to share His peace and encouraging Word. Everything will also be recorded and made available on the homepage of our website, www.gracelutheranpsl.com Our Lord has also made us wise. We will come together yet be cautious. We are taking the following steps at Grace Lutheran PSL: 1. If you are sick, please stay home. We want you and everyone around you to be safe, and this is the advice of the Center for Disease Control. Similarly, if gathering for worship creates concern for you, we want you to have peace in the fact that Christ loves you and his grace is not conditional on your attendance. If you have decided that it is best to isolate yourself physically, do not let yourself become isolated socially--keep in touch by calling, emailing, or texting with your friends and family! Now is the time to encourage one another! If you stay home, the bulletin, sermon, and some discussion questions will be posted to www.gracelutheranpsl.com by Sunday evening. 2. We ask that people wash their hands. Washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is the safest guard against the spread of the virus. Remember to turn all faucets off and open the door with a paper towel so you do not contaminate your hands immediately after washing them. 3. There will be no hand shaking or hugging at Grace for the time being. Please follow this. We are not doing this just for ourselves but to make everyone feel safe for the benefit of others as well. We want people to be thinking about the Lord first and foremost. We also want to join in with good global citizenship by preventing this virus from spreading. 4. For communion, we will only be using individual cups, not the common cup. Those serving communion will take proper precautions to make sure their hands are clean. If you do not want to take communion due to concerns for your health, feel free to remain in the pew. 5. The doors from outside the church will be propped open so nobody needs to touch the doors to enter the church. 6. We will not pass the offering plates. There will be plates in the back of the sanctuary where you can drop your offering envelopes as you leave. This is also a great time to encourage you to give through alternative means. You can request that your bank send a check through the mail, on your behalf, through their online bill pay. 7. We will suspend the passing of the Friendship Registry at this time. 8. We will be staying up to date with the latest reliable information from official resources. We will keep you posted on these things and seek to make decisions that are consistent with the data that comes available to us. If you did not receive this by email, let us know at office@gracelutheranpsl.com. 9. We will evaluate other gatherings for this week and the future as new information becomes available, so please continue to follow us at www.facebook.com/GLCPSL, and check out www.gracelutheranpsl.com for the most updated information. 10. During this time we know social distancing is important, and if you are not able to join us on Sunday, you are invited to come some time on Wednesday between the hours of 11am and 2pm for individual communion and a quick hello. We will take precautions to keep the building and communion as clean as possible. In times like these, many are afraid and anxious. What a blessing to have a God who comes to us to cast out that fear. On Sunday mornings, as we read the book of 1 Peter together, we are reminded time and time again about God’s faithfulness to us during tough times. In 1 Peter 1:4, we are reminded that God causes us to be born again to a living hope that is “imperishable, undefiled and unfading.” Peter continues that we are to “keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace” (1 Peter 4:8b-10). Jesus will see you through these tough times! I encourage you to keep loving one another. Look for tangible ways to serve. Perhaps it’s bringing groceries to someone who is more at risk in our community. Perhaps it’s sending our local officials and healthcare providers encouraging cards and prayers. Be creative. Let the Spirit work in you. Stay tuned for unique ministry opportunities God is giving us at Grace. If you have needs or concerns or find yourself ill, please reach out. We will continue to be available for spiritual guidance and help with physical/tangible needs. But in all of this, know that Jesus is with you, and nothing can separate you from His love, not even fears or viruses! If you know of people who do not receive emails, please pass this along to them. God’s Peace, Pastor Cris
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