Phase 2

Phase Two of resuming in-person worship at Christ Lutheran

Since the pandemic has not worsened and the rate of new cases appears to be declining for Wisconsin and phase one has worked well, here is our plan for the next step as we hopefully and prayerfully anticipate further forward steps in the future. Our next phase will begin on Thurs., June 18. Please note the big change in #5 below!

1. Sunday at 9:00 a.m., we will have in-person worship along with the FM Broadcast (96.3 FM). We encourage you to wear masks, but we will leave that decision up to you. Masks will still be provided if you need one. Cars with those listening to the FM broadcast will still park in the parking lot by the bell tower and drive through under the overhang for communion. We will still practice social distancing, and we will still sit in every other pew. Again, we ask that worshippers avoid congregating inside in small groups. The only doors that will be opened are the doors to the narthex. We will also clean & sanitize after every service. There will be no printed material in the pews, and no collection of the offering. A box for people to place their offerings in will be available in the Narthex, and people may continue to give electronically or through our church’s app. The service will be projected on the screen and made available online.

2. We will offer communion according to the regular schedule in June. In July, we hope to have communion every Sunday. We will use the individual cups and the wafers of bread as we have historically. However, we will still have the pre-packaged fellowship cups available for those that would like to use them, and we will use those for communion people in their cars. In distributing communion, we will still endeavor to take proper measures to protect those communing from spread of disease and to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible. You will receive the wafer and then the individual cup in your hand. For the time being, you will stand to receive communion as we have the last two Sundays, unless we come and give communion to those that request it in the pew. Elders will still usher people forward for communion and usher the people out after the service. We heartily rejoice to boldly receive the very body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ together!

3. Our worship service will be videoed on Thursday, and these videos will be shared online for congregation members to view on Sunday or at any time they choose.

4. Once again, we encourage congregation members to monitor their health and stay at home if they are experiencing any symptoms. We also encourage everyone to keep using the sanitizer that is provided and to wash hands frequently.

5. Finally, here is the big news! We will add back in, on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., a worship service geared toward those ages 55 and above or who may have compromised immune systems. (Thank you for the suggestion!) We kindly ask that all those in attendance wear protective masks unless they are medically unable to. We will go above and beyond in trying to control the environment to reduce the spread of disease, out of a concern for our members that are most vulnerable, otherwise, everything will be the same as on Sunday. (At this time, there will be no FM broadcast on Thursdays.)

I know it seems complicated, as everything is, and I, as much as anyone, wish that things could get back to normal right away, but we’re doing our best to humbly and thoughtfully care for and respect our community and our family of faith. Thank you for your help and your support and prayers. More people have been contacting us for communion at home, and we are overjoyed to provide it when asked. Please call us if you have any needs or there is anything at all we can help you with!

Rejoicing that you are ever in God’s gracious care as I hold you in my heart and keep you in my prayers!

In Christ’s love,
Pastor Daryn

P.S. We are always in need of people to join altar guild, especially now! If you are interested, please contact the pastors or the church office, and we will steer you in the right direction!