June Highlights

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Baptism of Harper Mae Schreffler

Harper Mae Schreffler, daughter of Andrew and Samantha Schreffler and sister of Lyla Schreffler, was baptized on June 21, 2020. Harper’s sponsors are Eric Schreffler and Amanda Saltzman. We welcome Harper into the Lord’s family. We receive her as a fellow member of the body of Christ, child of the same heavenly Father, and a worker with us in the kingdom of God. We extend our love and support to her as she grows in her knowledge and faith in the Word of God. Harper, Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.

 

We’re Back!

At long last it is time! We have begun in-person worship again at our church building. Our worship times begin at the same time they have been, at 6:00 PM on Saturdays and 10:30 AM on Sundays. Currently, our Contemporary Service is still on hold because of the risk of singing and spreading COVID-19. We are working on and thinking about solutions so that this also can resume.

In the meantime, we wholeheartedly hope you will once again join us in worship with your church at our building. There are measures that we are taking during worship to follow the guidelines of our Synod Office, the ELCA National Office, as well as our Insurer. They are as follows:

  • Masks: All attending will be required to wear masks. If you don’t have a mask, this is okay – we have a supply at the church building! Greeters will also be required to wear gloves. When we have communion, communion assistants will need to wear gloves, as well. A hand sanitizer station will be available, as well as hand sanitizer being in each pew rack. In another effort to mitigate contact, the offering plate will be placed in the rear of the sanctuary rather than offering being collected during worship.

  • Shaking Hands: Pastor Brian will be available after the service but will not be shaking hands. Similarly, we will not be sharing the peace during worship at the current time.

  • Social Distancing: Family groups can certainly sit together, but we ask that all others would socially distance. We have taped off every other pew to help assist in distancing.

  • Singing: We will unfortunately not be singing. Every study that has been reviewed, and every guideline for churches discusses the risk of singing and spreading airborne COVID-19. Therefore, the first verse of a hymn will be played, and we will listen to the wonderful music of our organ. We are hopeful to find a solution to this in the near future, but this is where we are at the present time. In addition, we will also be speaking the liturgical pieces that are normally sung.

  • YouTube: If you are uncomfortable coming, the Gospel lesson and sermon will still be posted on our YouTube page. Pastor Brian will share this via the church’s email list.

Pastor Brian thanks everyone for their patience and consideration in this time. This is by no means a perfect return to normal, but it is a step in that direction. We look forward to seeing everyone gathered as Brothers and Sisters as the Body of Christ!


Exhaust Fan Project

Lamar Kimmel completed the siding installation where the two exhaust fans were removed. It looks great. With the completion of the fan removal and siding installation, the air conditioning project has now been completed and paid for. Installation of the air conditioning system was paid for with funds from the return on our endowment principal. The fan removal was paid for using donations to the Building Fund. We thank Lamar Kimmel for the fine work he did, the Property Committee for their diligent efforts to work with the vendors and oversee the projects, past members who contributed to our Endowment Fund, and to all who included the Building Fund in their offering. The days of worshipping in a hot and humid sanctuary are behind us!

These images are of what it looks like without the fans.

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Contemporary Service

As we are now aware, singing is something that makes things very dangerous in relation to COVID-19, which is why you are now seeing a mass cancellation of all concerts of various types. As such, it is currently not safe to have a live contemporary service. We are currently discussing options, but as for now, our Contemporary Service is on hold.

Agape Community Meals

All Agape Table free community meals are postponed until at least September. The Kitchen Committee will decide in late summer as to when exactly it would be safe to resume serving these meals.
location. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Breakfast With the Bible

We will resume Breakfast With the Bible as soon as Mamma Bear’s in Branchdale is able to accommodate a larger group. As soon as that is allowable, we will update you on a definitive date for our next Breakfast!


Miles to Mend

Miles to Mend had one disbursement in the month of June for medical assistance. Please be aware that you can nominate anyone for assistance for medical travel so long as they reside in the Tri-Valley School District. And don’t forget, your Redner’s receipts are the primary source of funding for this important program.

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