Worship

Governor Pritzker recently issued an executive order stipulating that, effective August 30, 2021, face masks are to be worn in all public spaces, including indoors, throughout the state of Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health understands that this includes houses of worship.

Members of St. John’s congregation, with others, may have differing opinions regarding this executive order. Some may think it does not go far enough in responding to a health threat while others may think that it represents governmental over-reach and a challenge to civil liberties.

We are called to live our lives both as Christians and as citizens. Wearing masks does not limit our opportunity to assemble to hear God’s Word and to receive the Sacraments. Out of respect for the government, and living a Christian witness of care and concern for others, especially for the vulnerable, the leadership of St. John’s is responding to Gov. Pritzker’s order with the following guidelines.

Mask Wearing is requested at all times when indoors; this applies to all buildings on the St. John’s campus.
Social Distancing is requested to the extent that it is reasonably possible. This will be encouraged for worship by having every other pew in the sanctuary open for worshipers.
A Greeting of Peace will not be part of worship and other similar greetings (e.g., hand-shakes) will be discouraged.
Offerings will continue to be gathered in the narthex/entrance. On-line giving will be encouraged as well.
Holy Communion distribution will continue as in the last several months, including heightened awareness on the part of the Pastor and Elders. Please follow the directions provided when Communion is celebrated.

Thank you for treating others with Christian charity and respect. We are always encouraged to ask ourselves, “How does my decision affect not only my personal perspective but also my neighbor whom I love in Christ?”

Thank you for taking part in the survey. We listened!

Above is a generalized graphic that shows the variety of options that are being voiced about re-opening church. These are the thoughts of church members at St John's and other churches from around the country.

So, how is St. John's, your church, going to move forward? Here is the plan.

This Sunday, we gather together once again! Outdoor worship this Sunday! Now, the details...

When - 9:30 am this Sunday
Where - Back parking lot (West side of church)
How - Bring a lawn chair, bring sunglasses, bring COFFEE!

We will follow guidelines for distancing.

We will not require masks since we will be outdoors and distanced, but encourage you to wear one if you desire. Volunteers will wear them.
Bulletins will be handed out by a volunteer with gloves and mask.
Communion will be served like last week, drive-thru style. All the details on communion are below.
As always, regardless of pandemics, if you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid or any other flu or sickness, please remain at home.

How will you worship this weekend? You have 4 options!

Stay at home and watch the livestream on Facebook, Youtube, or our website.
Stay at home and watch the livestream and participate in drive-thru communion.
Come to outdoor worship.
Come to outdoor worship and participate in drive-through communion.

*** Pastor will be bringing communion to homes soon, but not this week. ***

Read the last part too!

This is important. All of these options are 100% valid. All of them are options open to faithful and dedicated Christians. This re-opening is a balance of rights and responsibilities. We are all at different points, with different health concerns, and have a variety of opinions. The good news is that God's Word comes to you and gives you the forgiveness of sins and the confidence of salvation in every single one of the options.

Jesus loves you! And so do I!

Pastor Brian

As your Pastor I am convicted that our church should celebrate Holy Communion this weekend. I am also convinced that we can do it in a way that exceeds the sanitary standards of a restaurant drive through.

This is our plan:

When: 10:15 - 11:00 am this Sunday morning. Watch service at home, then finish listening on your phone and come down to church after the sermon! As soon as service is over Pastor will start distributing communion.

Method: Drive Through Style

Where: Enter the "drive through" as if you are pulling around the back of the church next to the church house on Jefferson where the offices used to be located.

Manner: Pull your car up. Pastor will place bread and individual cup(s) of wine into your open hand. Pastor will back up 8-10 feet and speak the "Take and eat. Take and drink. The body and blood of Christ given and shed for you." Voice your "Amen" by honking your horn!

Next Move: Car will pull forward and members will pray on their way home, and dispose of individual cup at their residence.

A few notes on safety.

If you are experiencing symptoms, please remain at home.
We will not limit the numbers of cars in the line, but please make sure you are aware and try not to block traffic.
Please maintain all CDC guidelines at all times.
Pastor will be the only one giving out communion or touching it at any point. He will be wearing gloves and a face mask. Every precaution will be taken!
Please wear a face mask.
If you make contact with Pastor's gloved hand, he will be changing gloves between members/cars.
If you want to communicate with others, including in your cars, all government guidelines need to be followed.

Why are we doing this?
Holy Communion is an important gift that Jesus gives to strengthen our faith during hard times; this is a hard time. We are all experiencing this pandemic differently. We have members who are hugely impacted, and others who have not been impacted much at all. We need to care for the souls and the faith of ALL. Don't feel comfortable? Don't come! There is ZERO pressure to come. This is not a measure of your faithfulness. Some are ready for this and some are not, that is totally fine. Jesus made us all differently!

Moving Forward
Our District President Allan Buss, with others, has requested that the governor loosen up regulations for churches. Specifically, he has requested we be limited to a percentage of our capacity, rather than to any number, for example 10. If we are limited to 25% capacity then we can safely gather in groups of 80-100. We will be making changes progressively as the lockdown measures are being lifted.

Please keep all those suffering hardship during this time in your prayers!

God's Peace!
Pastor Brian Lee