Important Information On Return to in-person Worship May 30, 2020

Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison

LCMS President

Rev. Dr. Kevin Wilson

OH District President

UPDATED May 6

Other Information

It is with great joy and happiness that I am writing to inform you that St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will resume in-person worship services on the weekend of May 30 & 31, 2020.  In phone conversations and face to face conversations done from a safe distance, I have heard coming together for worship is something that many of you have missed. So, let us take joy in once again coming to the Lord’s house and worshiping Him there!  I also realize that not everyone is immediately ready to gather together, and that is understandable.  If you need time, take time.  If you are ready to join together in worship, then the doors will be open soon.

The Board of Elders has agreed that the following protocols & procedures will be used as we resume in-person Worship Services, and will be in effect until further notice:

• All are encouraged to assess their own health. If you are not feeling well, please stay home.

• Services will be held at these times: Saturday 6:00 p.m. & Sunday 9:30 a.m. There will NOT be Bible Study right away. It will resume at a later date.

• Those who attend worship services are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to wear masks or face coverings. This is asked out of concern for the safety of our at-risk disciples.

• Please enter and exit the church through the front doors only [the worship entrance, not the Preschool/Office entrance]. These doors will be propped open before and after the worship service to lessen contact with them.

• There will be 2 [Two] stations where hand sanitizer or wipes and garbage cans will be available; one by the mailboxes and the other near the doors to the kitchen/hallway.

• People should sit in every other row of pews or chairs to help maintain proper social distancing. One household should sit in one row. At the end of the service, you will be ushered out as normal, one row at a time, except that we will start at the back of the sanctuary and work our way to the front. Please do not exit through the double doors in the middle of the sanctuary. This will help us maintain 6 ft. distancing.

• Large-print style bulletins will be provided for everyone. They will be available on a table near the back row of chairs. All books will be removed from the pew racks and under the chairs. Please take your bulletin home with you after worship.

• High contact surfaces [Doorknobs/handles, counters, wood pew backs, etc.] will be sanitized after each service. Cloth surfaces [pew seats, chair seats, etc.] will be disinfected after each service.

• There will be no fellowship donuts, food, or coffee for the time being.

• Offerings & tithes may be placed in the offering plates located at the back of the sanctuary. The plates will not be passed during the service.

• There will be no formal sharing of peace during service or shaking of hands after service.We can safely exchange greetings by maintaining 6 ft distance.

• The Communion schedule will be amended for the time being.Communion will be celebrated on the 2nd & 4th Weekends of each month. Only individual cups will be offered. 2 [Two] Elders will bring the elements to each Communicant on individual plates, meaning there will be one wafer and one wine cup on each plate. Once all have received their elements, Pastor will invite everyone to “Take, eat” and “Take drink” at the same time. Afterward, everyone will receive the Dismissal at the same time.

• The entire service will be recorded and posted as an audio file on the church website, along with a .pdf version of the bulletin.

• The amount of singing during the service will be reduced.

• Please make sure the Elder at your service sees you to record your attendance. This is for our records and to help the Lake County General Health District facilitate COVID-19 tracing should an individual later be identified as COVID-19 positive and/or having had a known exposure.

We, as the Board of Elders, realize that there are many things to consider that we haven’t had to consider for a long time, if ever.  By taking these measures, we believe we can create an environment that is as safe as possible for us to worship together.  We also believe that each disciple can and should be trusted to make the best decisions for their own health and well-being, and we respect whatever decisions you make.

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Rev. Paul Sundbom

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

250 Bowhall Rd.

Painesville, OH 44077

440-354-9328 H

910-382-8725 C

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