Worship Service Times:

May 29, 2020
Christ Lutheran Church, Burr Oak, and COVID19 and Reopening for in-person Worship,

Dear members of Christ, Burr Oak: The last two months have been a trying time – both for us as individuals as well as for us as a congregation. Our lives have been turned upside down. We have not been able to gather together for worship and encouragement. Decisions have not been easy to make.

Yet, in making those decisions our desire has been to follow the principles the Lord sets out for us in the 3rd, 4th and 5th Commandments. That means we keep in mind that God’s command for us to gladly hear and learn his Word never stops (3rd Commandment). We also remember he has told us to honor and obey those in authority unless they clearly tell us to go against his Word (4th Commandment). And, in our actions we seek to demonstrate love for our neighbor and their physical well-being (5th Commandment). These are the reasons we have been worshiping the way we have been over the past two months.

However, now the governmental mandate is over. Yet, as we begin to resume our regular worship, it is still good to keep these three commandments in mind. We gather because we love God and his Word. But in doing so we don’t just throw leadership suggestions and Christian love out the window. So, as we get ready to resume our public worship, what follows are a few things we will put in place in an effort to be guided by God’s Word.

When will we resume Worship

We will resume regular worship services on the weekend of May 31/June 1. We will hold two services that weekend. There will be a 9:00 a.m. service on Sunday, May 31. We will hold a 7:00 p.m. service on Monday, June 1.

What will it look like

While there are no governmental mandates on what we can and cannot do, we will take into consideration guidelines that have been put out by our county health department. Therefore, to minimize risk and anxiety, we will take the following steps:

Rather than gatherings of 10, 50, etc. being the guideline, the recommendation now is to have gatherings on a percent of capacity basis. The suggestion is 25%. For our church this would mean an attendance of 50-60 people per service. At this time, we are not planning on having to ask people to call ahead and let us know what service they plan to attend.
Responsible distancing will be practiced within the sanctuary and building – keeping at least a 6 foot distance from one another. This means we will only be using every other row of pews, with certain rows being blocked off. Family units may sit together. We will have ushers to help you find a place to sit.
The entire service will be printed in the bulletin so that no hymnals will have to be used. We would ask that you pick up your own bulletin and that you take your bulletin home with you.
Sadly, we will not be able to do any singing of our hymns or liturgy yet. The CDC has found that singing significantly increases the spread of droplets throughout the air, even with a mask on.
Holy Communion will be offered next Sunday, June 7, following a format that tries to keep us as safe as possible. Directions for Holy Communion will be given on June 7/8.
The topic of face coverings/face masks has been a highly debated issue over the past 2 months. You, no doubt, have your thoughts concerning them, and probably know others who feel differently. It is okay to agree to disagree on this matter. Seeking to be sensitive to the issue, you are encouraged to wear a mask/face covering if you feel more comfortable doing so. However, it will not be a requirement. (FYI – Pastor will plan to wear a mask before and after service. He will not wear one during service)
Fellowshipping with one another is one of the blessings we have as fellow believers. However, at this time it would seem wise and prudent to avoid before and after service fellowship. For this reason, you are asked to arrive no more than ten minutes before service begins. Upon arrival, the ushers will help you find a seat. Once service has ended and you are ushered out (starting from the rear of church), please make your way to your vehicle. If you would like to visit, perhaps the open air of the parking lot would be a good place to do this.
Doors will be propped open to facilitate your entrance and exit.
The offering plates will not be passed. They will be left in the back of church, you may place your offering in the plate before or after the service.
Door handles, chairs, and areas that are commonly touched will be disinfected before each service.
Hand sanitizer will be available and Clorox Wipes will be placed into each restroom.

Things to consider

We understand that not everyone will feel comfortable returning to worship immediately. We recognize that there are those who, because of age or compromised health, are at greater risk. If you fall into one of those categories you should not feel pressured or constrained to attend until conditions indicate greater safety. Continue to study God’s Word on your own. Continue to make use of the online sermon/bulletin resources. If you do not have internet, Pastor will continue to send you weekly bulletins and sermons.
Finally, we also leave you with this loving reminder. If you are ill, please do not leave your home. We would give that advice at any time. If there is a health emergency, Pastor will, as always, serve you to the best of his ability by coming to your home or the hospital, if allowed.

In Conclusion

The decision to reopen has not been taken lightly. Pastor has had opportunity to discuss these issues with the pastors of our circuit. The general consensus was that May 31 would be a good time for us to resume our public worship.

We recognize that there is room for disagreement in this since God’s Word has not settled the matter for us on this point and on what this reopening should look like. Therefore some may think we should have opened earlier; others may think we should still be waiting. Some may think we should require masks; others may think they are unnecessary. Regardless of which side you might fall on, may God give us the faith and wisdom to heed Paul’s encouragement: “Let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block in your brother’s way” (Romans 14:13). In patience, humility and self-sacrifice, let us be respectful to those whose opinions differ from ours. In so doing, we will prevent Satan the opportunity to sow seeds of division among us and destroy our unity.

To that end, we ask for God’s blessings on these decisions: O Lord our God, we need your guidance in all we do. Let your wisdom counsel us, your hand lead us, and your arm support us. Conform us to your image, and make us like our Savior so that in some measure, we may live here on earth as he lived and may act in all things as he acted, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pastor John Werner