In Person Worship -> Covid19 -> Events -> Youth -> Serving Saints

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Dear Friends of the Lord Jesus,

On March 2 [2021], Gov. Abbot announced a general end to Covid19 business restrictions beginning next week. Specific restrictions may remain in place for some time for certain businesses and industries (e.g. schools, daycares, medical facilities). While many may receive the announcement as good news, not everyone does. His announcement does not apply to St. Peter because we were already exempt from those state-government-issued restrictions. (We do not know what federal actions may or may not come.) Our Covid19 procedures have always been based on generally available, common-sense, best practices and have always been “on your honor.” We have been careful to not prevent anyone from worshipping or burden them with impossible to fulfill commands (Matthew 19:14, 23:1-4). ...Generally, these things have accomplished their purpose: making it so that more- not less- people are comfortable and able to come worship at St. Peter. ...Our goal in these matters continues to be making the ministries and worship of this congregation available to the most people, regardless of their position on Covid19 and related protocols. Our council, commissions, and committees will continue to review these things so that the most, not the least, and certainly not “only those who agree with x, y, z and me” are able to participate in our life together (Matthew 13, esp. vv47-48; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18). 

Thank you for your patience, long-suffering, and understanding- not only today and tomorrow- but for this long period of Covid19 (Ephesians 4:1-3, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 5:3-5). Remember St. Paul’s encouragement in Romans, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect. …Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. …If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (12:2, 16, 18).

Have a great week and God bless,
Pr. Jared
St. Peter Lutheran Church

Worship Procedures
to Re-launch In-person Worship

Worship times: Sundays 9:00 AM & 5:00 PM

80+% seating capacity

No one is required to attend if they don’t feel comfortable being in public yet. Please stay home if you have an underlying condition, aren’t comfortable with public gatherings yet, or don’t feel well that day/have any “flu-like” symptoms.

Wearing a mask is encouraged for those with heightened concerns and those who have not received full covid19 vaccination. 

Single use disposable bulletins will be available. Order of worship projected on large screen.

Everyone to sanitize hands at hand sanitizing station upon entering- before walking through the narthex/lobby; before going up stairs; or before entering the elevator. 

Passing of the Peace only on the same bench. Offerings and connection cards will be deposited at one of two stations. 

Communion will be administered while standing or kneeling at the railing, one row at a time. The assisting minister will hand you an individual cup of wine. You will deposit your empty cup in the basket at the corner of the rail. All worship leaders will wash their hands and sanitize them before worship.  All communion ware will be washed with soap and water after worship and dried. 

Please dismiss from service in an orderly manner to preserve social distances. 

Benches will be wiped down with disinfectant after each service. Volunteers are requested to help with this each week.

(updated 08.01.2021)
 

Wise words about our prayers, together and separated...
"The salutaion and response "The Lord be with you. And also with you." is traditionally not said when one prays the office alone but is replaced with "Lord hear my prayer. And let my cry come before you." But, as Peter Damian, reflecting Pauline doctrine, taught, if we who are many are one in Christ, each of us possess the whole. Indeed, the various members of the church of Christ being so united as to form a single body, the entire church may be regarded as mystically present in each individual. It is a useful reminder that no one, not even a hermit, prays alone" (xxvi).
The Daily Prayer of the Church, edited by Philip Pfatteicher, Lutheran University Press, 2005.

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