Church Update! Updated May 11
Good Morning Zion Lutheran Church,
Unfortunately, we’re still in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic, but the State of Arkansas has loosened up restrictions.
On May 4th , Governor Hutchinson gave guidelines to churches as a part of Phase 1 as we begin easing back into our normal lives. He emphasized these were guidelines, not mandates. Seeing as we are following most of these guidelines already at Zion, there will be only a handful of changes, which will be detailed below. He gave no limit on the number of folks allowed to gather in churches, though when discussing indoor events, he suggested that 50 or fewer people would be allowed to gather. With that said, that doesn’t mean that we will allow 50 for worship.
Seeing that the spread of the virus hasn’t hit Arkansas hard compared to other states, and since Pope County has only 47 cases, with 37 cases being healed with no deaths at the time of this letter, starting May 17, we will be having two services on Sundays at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM, and one on Monday nights at 6:00 PM. The sign-up sheet online will be updated to allow 20 to come to each service. For those who aren’t able to sign-up but would like to come to church, PLEASE contact Pastor Ralston and he will find a service time that will work for you, or come out to bring you communion. Call the church office at 479-331-3277 or his cell phone at 501-454-0581. You can also send an email at rev.jralston@gmail.com
Following Governor Hutchinson’s guidelines for churches, we will begin the following:
- Greeting one another outside the Narthex doors. (It’s May, enjoy the weather!)
- We encourage you to wear masks while in worship. That’s not to say that you won’t be able to worship if you don’t, but for the sake of your brother and sister in Christ’s health and conscience, please consider wearing a mask. Pastor will begin wearing a mask while serving communion.
- We will rope off certain pews to encourage people to sit an appropriate distance from each other.
Things that will be continued…
- Disinfecting the sanctuary after each worship service.
- Serving only individual cups at communion.
- Wearing of food service gloves while preparing the elements for the Lord’s Supper and during distribution.
- Replacing hand shaking with bumping elbows or simply saying ‘hello.’
Finally, beginning May 24th, we will start up Adult Bible School again. We will begin classes following the 10:30 AM service on Sunday mornings. Classes will be held in the sanctuary to allow for adequate social distancing practices. Regarding children’s Sunday School, Governor Hutchinson’s guidelines discouraged children’s classes from meeting, so we will observe that guideline until it becomes lifted.
With all this said, those who are considered ‘low-risk’, we encourage to make regular worship a part of your habit again. It can become easy to see this as a ‘break’ from church, but the old evil foe hasn’t taken a break and is at work against our will, habits, desires, and lifestyle. We pray that we’d all be able to return to the altar and receive the gifts Christ graciously gives to end this time of famine, and feed on the body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. If you’re still uncertain, please let Pastor know, so that he can set up a time that he can come visit you. We encourage you in this, because Covid-19 has lasted longer than we expected, and no one is certain when it will end.
Take comfort knowing that we’re doing everything in our control to lower the risk of contracting the virus, while being in a church building with others. As things start to open up, we pray that churches would be filled again, since Church is where God meets His people to forgive their sins in Word and Sacrament, which is God’s priority for you.
May the peace of God be with you all!
In Christ,
Pastor Ralston
Let us pray.
Almighty God, heavenly Father, give us grace to trust You during this time of illness and distress. In mercy put an end to the epidemic that afflicts us. Grant relief to those who suffer, and comfort all who mourn. Sustain all medical personnel in their labors, and cause Your people ever to serve You in righteousness and holiness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
