June 24, 2020

Dearly Beloved in Jesus:

I thank my God and Father of our Savior Jesus that He has brought the healing needed to allow us to gather as His Family around Word and Sacrament. May God’s healing and protecting hand continue to spare lives and drive this virus away from all.

A special thanks to Muriel and Ed Hopkins, Nickel Lietzau, and Pastor Witt for all their work when Immanuel was shut down. Without their work we would not have been able to stream the services.

I want to assure you though that our Divine Services, Facebook Live Bible Class, and ZOOM Bible Class will continue to be streamed. Our Sunday bulletins will continue to be available on our Website (immanuellutheran.org).  We continue to work on upgrading our internet service.

As we open Immanuel, there will be changes that need to be made. Some will be temporary while others may be permanent. These changes are for the welfare of all who gather for worship.

You will notice:                                                                                                                                                       

1. There are definite direction patterns now in our Sanctuary. You will enter the sanctuary through the center aisle. This is one way heading toward the altar. You will exit the sanctuary by the side aisles. These are one way heading away from the altar. Please observe this pattern for reception of Holy Communion as well. There are blue arrows on the floor indicating direction.
2. You will notice blue lines on the floor of the sanctuary. These lines are six feet apart and are there to help you maintain proper social distancing. Please observe this distance entering, exiting, and receiving Holy Communion.
3. Hymnals and attendance pads have been removed from the pews. All hymns will be printed in the Service folder. This is done to minimize touching of, contamination of, and need to sanitize these items.
4. Only certain pews are available. Every other pew is blocked by blue tape. Do not use these pews. Please have only one family per pew that are open. Two individuals may sit in an open pew, one at either end. This is done to help maintain social distancing.
   1. Masks must be worn by all in attendance. No exceptions. Some are available but it is better if you bring your own. Hand sanitizer will be located near entrances of the building and in the bathrooms.
   2. To help reduce the need to go up and down the steps, pastor’s office will be open and there is a bathroom in there. It is located up three steps in the rear of the office. Members are encouraged to use this bathroom rather than going up and down the stairs.
   3. Offering plates will not be passed during the service. They are located in the narthex.
   4. Communion distribution will be by continuous line. For now the chalice will not be offered. The host will only be placed in the hand. For those unable to walk forward, the Sacrament will be brought to your pew.
   5. At the end of the service please do not engage in handshakes, hugs, elbow bumps, high fives, or other activity that would violate social distancing.
   6. Each week the sanctuary, narthex, bathrooms, railings, and exterior door handles will be properly cleaned as per CDC guidelines.

While we do all of these things to protect you and one another, remember you are responsible for your health. If you do not feel comfortable returning to in person worship at Immanuel please don’t. Stay home and enjoy the stream service.

Our cemetery service will continue June, July, and August as in the past. This service begins at 8 am. We maintain social distancing there too. Everyone is required to wear a facemask.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class (in person) will resume September 13th.  The current Sunday Adult Bible Class will continue to meet over ZOOM and has been changed to 6pm.

Laura’s new office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm.

As I said before, some of these items will be relaxed as new CDC guidelines are released. Others may have to be permanent.

Also of special note, Immanuel’s spring voters’ meeting will be July 26 immediately following the Divine Service. We will gather in the fellowship hall for the election of Council and to hear important updates from Pastor Witt’s mission work, our heating plant replacement, and virus related items.

It is good to be back in person to worship our Lord and receive, together, blessings from Him.

Peace to All,

Pastor Charles Minetree