What we are doing concerning Covid19

Posted March 26, 2020

Drive In Church on Sunday March 29, 2020

So, for those that would like to give Drive In Church a try, here is the information.  The intent is for you to be able to come to church, stay in your car where you do not have to have any exposure whatsoever, and listen to the service on the radio while you wave “hi” to all your church family.  We will share the peace through the glass with a wave!

Here's how we see it working:

The service will be broadcast on FM 96.9 (note the change from earlier emails).  You can receive the broadcast on your car radio up to a few hundred feet from the church. 

  1. Service will start promptly at 10:30 on Sunday as usual.
  2. Please park in the lower lot or the gravel lot facing the church.  This will allow you to see what is happening.
  3. Bulletins with all the hymns are available on our website page Time to Worship.  If you print them off in advance, or save them to a laptop and bring it you, you can participate in the service with all the responses and singing.  We will not be providing paper bulletins. There will be no video outside.
  4. Pastor May will be inside providing the service to our organist, audio/visual person, and a few responders.  This is where the broadcast will originate.
  5. Vicar David will be outside where you can see him mimicking the Pastor’s gestures and prompting the responses for the car bound congregation.  (This may be worth seeing in and of itself).
  6. Communion will be provided for those that wish it.
    1. Pastor May will bless the elements inside.
    2. Vicar David will go in, take communion, and bring the elements outside for those in their cars.
    3. Communion will be given through the window like at Sonic Drive-In.
    4. The cups and a small plate are both disposable and will allow us to commune you without direct physical contact.  You might want to bring a small bag to put the trash in inside your car.
    5. Those not desiring to commune simply cross your arms over your chest where the Vicar can see.  He will give you a blessing through the window.  There is certainly no pressure either way.
    6. If you have special needs (e.g. gluten free wafers or alcohol free wine) please reply to this email and let the Vicar know so he can set up the proper elements for you for distribution.

We frankly have no idea how well this will work.  The theory is all good, but the best laid plans…  What we do know is that God is with us always in good and in bad times.  He promises that all things work for good for those that love Him.  We are hopeful God will bless this effort to at least be able to worship together and yet, still apart.

If you are unable to attend, or if you decide against it, the recording will again be made available on the website just like last week.

We pray for the day when God removes this disease from us and we can all worship together inside the sanctuary again.  

May God bless and protect each and every one of you!

Vicar David.

 

March 20, 2020

Trinity will not hold group services for 2 weeks.

After considerable prayer and debate following the Missouri Governor’s proclamation today banning meetings of 10 or more, it was decided that, even though the Governor gave an exemption for religious services, that Trinity would not hold group services for 2 weeks.  It is believed that this will demonstrate Trinity’s compassion towards our neighbor and our support of the community and its effort to curb the spread of this virus.  

This was certainly not an easy decision.  Much was discussed including being faithful to the Third Commandment and how we can faithfully proclaim the Word and administer the Sacrament.  It was decided that, at least in the short term, we can stay faithful to the Word electronically.

Therefore, Pastor May will hold service on Sunday without a congregation.  He, with the assistance of less than 10 others, will record the service.  This service will be available to all through a link on our website hopefully by Sunday afternoon.

If you feel you are in need of communion, please feel free to contact Pastor May at the church and he will make arrangements to commune you.

We realize that this is a difficult time for all of us and that we are in need of the Word now as much or more than ever.  Please continue to hold daily devotionals with your family during these next two weeks.  If you are in need of materials for this you can find some online (see below) or you can call the church office.  For those of you with the Lutheran Service Book or Treasury of Daily Prayer at home, you also have access to the Matins and Vespers services to hold services in your home if you should so desire.

https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20200320

https://www.lcms.org/about/leadership/president/devotions

https://www.lcms.org/worship/bible-studies

This decision effects all services, Bible studies, and rehearsals for the next two weeks.  Confirmation class will continue as it is relatively small.

As this unprecedented situation continues to develop, we will continue to process each new piece of information.  We will send further emails as things change.  You can also check our website for information.

Thank you all for your understanding and support.  God’s Blessings and we pray we will be able to meet again soon.

 

March 18, 2020

As many of you who watch the news are aware, the United States is currently attempting to respond to the threat posed by the Covid19 Pandemic virus.  If you watch the news you realize that there are different recommendations from different sources.  Trinity is basing the following adaptations on the latest CDC recommendations.  These plans are subject to change and amendment based on changes in those recommendations.  These plans were discussed and approved by the Church Council on Tuesday evening.

 As of the date the plans are as follows:

 Current CDC recommendations stand at cancelling meetings of more than 50.  As our attendance has been lower of late due to people self-selecting to isolate themselves, we are planning on holding our services as usual with the following modifications:

            *Bulletins for the service will not be handed out by ushers but will be available from a table in the Narthex/Entry Hall.

            *Offerings will not be collected by passing the plate.  A drop box will be placed on the table in the Narthex/Entry  Hall for your gifts and tithes.  Please remember that expenses have not lessened due to the crisis.  Your gifts and tithes are still needed.

            *Trinity is working on electronic giving (offering) procedures and hopes to have this available soon.

            *Communion will be held but with smaller tables (those going to the altar) to allow for greater “social distance”                   between communicants.  Individual cups will be available to all who desire them and new sanitation procedures are being implemented for these cups.

            *Hand shaking, hugging, and other social contact will be discouraged for the time being.  This includes                                  continuing the “sharing of the peace” through the wave.

            *Sunday school, confirmation class etc. usually have fewer than 10 persons and will continue.

            *Adult Bible Studies will continue to be held but with increased social distance (empty chairs between                                    participants).

           *All members who are at elevated risk are encouraged to consider their safety when deciding whether or not to                     attend.

           *Members who feel they may have a cold, flu, fever, or other contagion are encouraged to stay home until they                      recover.

 Trinity is committed to the health and safety of all of its members, but is also committed to the proclamation of God’s Word.  By making this proclamation available, and depending on the parishioners to make good solid decisions based on their own situation, we feel we are striking an appropriate balance.

 God’s blessings to all.  Please keep everyone in your prayers during this trying time.

Vicar David.

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