From the Pastor’s Desk:
Greeting dear sheep of the Good Shepherd!
For many of us this has been one of the strangest and most trying times of our lives. There is not enough good that can be said about all those who have selflessly given of their time and abilities during this pestilence. Doctors, nurses, all the staff of our medical facilities and pharmacies, those who have transported goods to stores, stocked the shelves and sold us the items necessary for life. We have endured and tolerated for a couple months things we thought we would never see happen: the basic shutting down of our communities and the upheaval of our lives.
Although churches have been exempted from Governor Whitmer’s executive orders, most Michigan congregations ceased operations out of concern for our neighbors and in effort to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But now, as summer approaches, and states begin opening up, it is time for us to get back to worship.
While online services of the Word are helpful in extreme times, they are certainly not meant to become the main spiritual nourishment for God’s congregation. One of the very first notable marks of the Church in the Book of Acts is that it gathered together gladly. (Acts 2:42). The very word for Church means an assembly or gathering of people. The baptized of God are called out of this world and gathered together into a flock under Christ the Good Shepherd. We gather to hear the Word of the Lord, to receive the Sacrament of the Altar, to confess together our pure Faith, to sing hymns, and to encourage one another on in good works.
The elders and I have met, and came up with a plan for restarting public services on June 7th at Immanuel. We acknowledge that some members are still uncomfortable with the idea of gatherings for various reasons and we respect that. To those members, we encourage them to seek me our for pastoral care and private reception of the Lord’s Supper, and to view Immanuel’s sermons on Facebook, at our webpage or on YouTube. The preached Word and the Lord’s Supper are exactly what our souls need during these times of trial.
To help you feel comfortable in worship and to mitigate transmission of virus, we’re going to alter, for a time, some of our practices. Doors will be propped open, so you don’t have to touch handles. Pews will be blocked off to maintain a six-foot distance. The screen will only be used, no hymnals. At this time, we’re still debating Offering plates will not be passed, the offering will be collected as you leave. Communion will be done in a continuous line without kneeling at the railing and without the common cup. Those serving will be masked and gloved during this part of the service. Bible Study and coffee time will not resume immediately.
Because we have not celebrated the Lord’s Supper, June 7th will be a commotion service, as will the 14th, 21st, and the 28th. We will resume our normal schedule in July.
Let us continue to pray that this pandemic will be over soon! Pray for patience and kindness. Pray for those who have to go into harm’s way. Debate will continue about the best way to act during this time, so seek to put the best construction on everyone’s words and motives. Let us seek above all to love one another, forgiving one another as in Christ, God forgave you, rejoicing that we have the opportunity to come together to worship.
I hope to see you on the 7th.
Pastor Michael
Immanuel Lutheran Church 