Church in the Time of Coronavirus
Dear church,
A team of callers from Immanuel has been reaching out to every congregational household these past few days. People have appreciated the care and connection and have shared prayer requests, many about family members, health, and worry about the future, but most expressing hope that this pandemic might pass over us quickly. Please include your Immanuel family in your prayers, and if there is any need you have please call me at 952-240-4275.
Church leadership is meeting weekly (virtually) to address the impact of not being able to meet face to face as the body of Christ. We will continue to livestream worship each Sunday at 9:15 and 10:45, and for the remaining Wednesday’s in Lent as well as Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. We are continually updating how we practice social distancing as we attend to this vital ministry.
We are also taking steps to “tighten our belt” at Immanuel, as so many of you are doing in the face of economic change. As groups are no longer meeting, Children’s choir directors, Holy Commotion Director, Nursery assistant, and Sunday Custodial services are suspended starting April 1. We will resume these positions as soon as we are able to do so. Immanuel’s Executive Committee will continue to track giving and expenses to keep you informed and help us make it through this challenge together.
We are also continuing to develop new ways to connect and care for one another including:
You will be receiving more details about these opportunities in the days ahead.
My prayers are with you every day, but especially in these challenging times. Again, if there is any help you need, please reach out to your church who cares about you and is here to give help, blessing, and encouragement.
God’s peace be with you.
Pastor Paul
“Praise be to our God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of all compassion and comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others in their troubles with the same consolation we have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Our faith is our great comfort and hope as we face these difficult, unsettling times. And even as we as a community, a congregation, households and individuals take measures to address the Coronavirus outbreak, we will continue to comfort one another with the hope we know and the love we share in Christ.
While our church building will be closed for the immediate future, we will continue to share the blessings of Christian community. In the details below you will see how our Immanuel staff is working to help you connect with the Immanuel on-line community in several ways, particularly worship. We will also be providing you with resources to help you attend to your faith with family and friends.
Finally, we will be responding to congregation needs as we provide care for one another. May God guide us through these difficult days, and may we be a blessing of comfort and compassion to one another!
Pastor Paul & Pastor Angela
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WHAT’S OPEN & WHAT’S NOT
The building is closed to all face-to-face groups (Closed for all Immanuel and community groups).
No face-to-face worship
Our staff and leaders are daily monitoring the news and world events and we’re adjusting as needed. Please be attentive to changes. If in doubt, please call the church office with your questions.
LIVESTREAMED WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Please join us online for 30-35 minutes of live worship on Wednesday and Sunday. Please have some bread, wine/juice, or something similar, ready for celebrating communion in your home.
Links to the Livestreams:
Please share photos of your at-home worship experience and share your photos on social media using the following hashtags: #TakeAndEat #FaithAtHome
KEEPING CONNECTED
The staff will be working remotely, as much as possible, however, please feel free to call/text them on their cell phones:
Our parish nurse, Kari Totall, is ready to answer questions and provide help that may be needed: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Our current plan is that Terrie will be in the office responding to calls M - Th, 8:30 - 2:30pm and that Darrell, our custodian, will be on site.
Voice mails left for MaryKay (952-230-0359) and Tammy Vergeront (952-230-0360) will be received/recorded and forwarded to them.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
As we continue to respond to the changing situation regarding the Coronavirus, the staff and leadership of Immanuel are making the following changes to our community life for the next few weeks:
WORSHIP
FAITH FORMATION
FOOD SERVICE
CARING FOR YOU DURING THIS TIME
May all of our prayers be for the care, comfort, and recovery of those suffering from this virus, and a quick resolution to this crisis.
Peace!
Pastor Paul
Changes to Worship Practices
As Immanuel seeks to follow best practices during the Coronavirus Pandemic, I am writing to share with you the steps we are taking to best ensure the health of our congregation and community.
The following worship practices will be observed during this time:
Please follow best practices regarding frequent and thorough hand washing. Tissues and disinfecting hand gel is available throughout the church, particularly at the entrances. We are cleaning surfaces regularly.
Remember, it is okay - even preferable - to miss church (worship, faith formation, etc.) if you or someone in your immediate family is ill. Our worship services are available to view online: Livestream and on demand worship.
Our best course of action in this time is making informed and intentional choices regarding the health of our community, even as we attend to the needs of our community.
Resources for Parents:
In light of concerns about the coronavirus, COVID-19…
For the sake of care for our neighbors, especially those most vulnerable to communicable disease, here are some precautions we will be taking at Immanuel.
While you are here at Immanuel:
Welcome and hospitality are vital as we are: Called to care. Sent to serve.
NOTE: any of these might change as events unfold around us. Our staff is constantly evaluating our procedures and as we learn more, we’ll do more. Our team is committed to it. We are all in this together.
If you have questions or concerns about any of these, please don’t hesitate to contact the church office.
If you can’t attend worship, please stay connected:
Please let us know how we can support you!
Blessings!
Pastor Paul
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America