PENTECOST
Home Worship, May 31, 2020
Pastor Kari Lee
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Sully, Iowa
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Newton, Iowa
Worship Service will be available for viewing at or any time after 9:00 a.m., May 31, 2020
IMPORTANT COVID-19 UPDATE
A Letter to the congregations of Holy Trinity and St Andrew’s,
Eight weeks ago, our councils met and decided to postpone in person meetings until further notice. I want to reassure you that your church leadership continues to meet and access how we can be the church during this time. As restrictions in the state and US continue to shift, and in some cases lifted; your councils have decided to continue to abstain from in person worship. We do not have any particular date in mind of when to regather. But we continue to be in communication.
Our main priority in these discussions are the safety of our worshipers and quality of our worship experience.
Experts, both in the church and in other fields are advising that there be no communion, no congregational singing, no passing of the peace, or fellowship until testing is more readily available to those who do not fall into the essential workers. (And I just learned yesterday that pastors are not essential workers in the state of Iowa. A pastor who suspected that they had COVID had to have the same symptoms for 3 weeks before they would test her. She is still awaiting results back.) Experts also advise that the number of worshipers allowed in a space be 25% or less of the maximum occupancy. However, they strongly advise you worship outside instead where the air flow is better. All of these do not eliminate the risk of getting sick when we gather, but they do help mitigate some of the risks.
Which brings us to quality of service. If we cannot do much of what we find comforting about in person worship, what is the benefit of meeting in person? Sermons are mailed out, can be streamed online, and we are attempting to find away that people can call in to a toll-free number for an audio recording of the service. There are many ways in which we are receiving the word of God in a variety of quality ways.
Leaders have spent so much time the last few weeks exploring when and how to gather. I now pose to you a question from our bishop in hopes that you can help our church leadership clarify thewhy. Why do we gather for in person worship? What is causing our anxiety or inciting the urgency to gather in person during this time of uncertainty?
There is much value in gathering corporately. There will always be a need and desire to meet in person. But what is it that makes some so frantic to be back in the pews? To clarify, I have heard a lot of desire to gather from our people that is quickly offset by the desire to keep everyone safe. I have not encountered anxiety or anger from anyone about not meeting. From what I have heard and learned, our people are willing to take it slow and wait if it means we can keep each other safe until we can be together. But as more churches open up this week (praise God), some may start to feel the tug to also be together in person. Its natural for us to want to be together. But if the why we are gathering is because we think it will give us a sense of normally or the familiar, I must tell you, it may not.
If we gather in person before a vaccine is available the structure of our services and how we use our buildings will be greatly altered so nothing about it will be normal. Familiar perhaps, but not the same. It could be very good and life giving to meet in person. But there will be risks. And it mostcertainly will not feel normal. And for this we grieve. If you haven’t started to mourn the loss of normalcy, I hope you will soon. Because once we let go of trying to reclaim and replicate what we have lost we will be able to embrace the very real and holy faith formation season that we are in.
We are still the church. You are still called to confess, receive forgiveness, give thank and praise to God, be generous to each other and go about life in the world as we currently know it. I am praying for you always. And I give my sincerest thanks to those of you who have reached out to encourage me during this time. It has done my soul better that you will ever know to have heard from you. God is faithful and good. We will get a chance to celebrate the 150th at St Andrews even if it has to happen during our 151st year. It will be all the sweeter when we get there. We will celebrate graduations, confirmations, first communions when the Holy Spirit leads us back together.
In the meantime, your church leadership remains committed to keeping us united and spiritual feed. If you are missing the singing and would like a green hymnal to aid you in your praising worship during this time, please reach out to the office and let us know. For St Andrews, there will be a cooler out on the front steps that you may take one from. If you need one delivered please let myself or Doug Bell know. Holy Trinity members, please call Nicole in the office. She will place one in your mail box for those of you who are mobile. We ask that you wipe down the door handle as you leave for safety. If you are not mobile let us know and we would be thrilled to deliver one to you. It will be sanitized and in a plastic bag that we leave on your front step. But if your home we look forward to waving to you from a distance.
Holy Communion will be included in this week’s service. Blessings, to you who continue toabstain. For those who choose to participate, please have cracker or bread ready with grape juice/wine/water.
It is graduation for Newton this week. Our own Blake Sevenbergen from Holy Trinity is graduating and giving the commencement address. And Daniel Vitales, son of our beloved office leader Nicole is also graduating. Please hold them both and all graduates in prayer this weekend.
Peace, Pastor Kari
Eight weeks ago, our councils met and decided to postpone in person meetings until further notice. I want to reassure you that your church leadership continues to meet and access how we can be the church during this time. As restrictions in the state and US continue to shift, and in some cases lifted; your councils have decided to continue to abstain from in person worship. We do not have any particular date in mind of when to regather. But we continue to be in communication.
Our main priority in these discussions are the safety of our worshipers and quality of our worship experience.
Experts, both in the church and in other fields are advising that there be no communion, no congregational singing, no passing of the peace, or fellowship until testing is more readily available to those who do not fall into the essential workers. (And I just learned yesterday that pastors are not essential workers in the state of Iowa. A pastor who suspected that they had COVID had to have the same symptoms for 3 weeks before they would test her. She is still awaiting results back.) Experts also advise that the number of worshipers allowed in a space be 25% or less of the maximum occupancy. However, they strongly advise you worship outside instead where the air flow is better. All of these do not eliminate the risk of getting sick when we gather, but they do help mitigate some of the risks.
Which brings us to quality of service. If we cannot do much of what we find comforting about in person worship, what is the benefit of meeting in person? Sermons are mailed out, can be streamed online, and we are attempting to find away that people can call in to a toll-free number for an audio recording of the service. There are many ways in which we are receiving the word of God in a variety of quality ways.
Leaders have spent so much time the last few weeks exploring when and how to gather. I now pose to you a question from our bishop in hopes that you can help our church leadership clarify thewhy. Why do we gather for in person worship? What is causing our anxiety or inciting the urgency to gather in person during this time of uncertainty?
There is much value in gathering corporately. There will always be a need and desire to meet in person. But what is it that makes some so frantic to be back in the pews? To clarify, I have heard a lot of desire to gather from our people that is quickly offset by the desire to keep everyone safe. I have not encountered anxiety or anger from anyone about not meeting. From what I have heard and learned, our people are willing to take it slow and wait if it means we can keep each other safe until we can be together. But as more churches open up this week (praise God), some may start to feel the tug to also be together in person. Its natural for us to want to be together. But if the why we are gathering is because we think it will give us a sense of normally or the familiar, I must tell you, it may not.
If we gather in person before a vaccine is available the structure of our services and how we use our buildings will be greatly altered so nothing about it will be normal. Familiar perhaps, but not the same. It could be very good and life giving to meet in person. But there will be risks. And it mostcertainly will not feel normal. And for this we grieve. If you haven’t started to mourn the loss of normalcy, I hope you will soon. Because once we let go of trying to reclaim and replicate what we have lost we will be able to embrace the very real and holy faith formation season that we are in.
We are still the church. You are still called to confess, receive forgiveness, give thank and praise to God, be generous to each other and go about life in the world as we currently know it. I am praying for you always. And I give my sincerest thanks to those of you who have reached out to encourage me during this time. It has done my soul better that you will ever know to have heard from you. God is faithful and good. We will get a chance to celebrate the 150th at St Andrews even if it has to happen during our 151st year. It will be all the sweeter when we get there. We will celebrate graduations, confirmations, first communions when the Holy Spirit leads us back together.
In the meantime, your church leadership remains committed to keeping us united and spiritual feed. If you are missing the singing and would like a green hymnal to aid you in your praising worship during this time, please reach out to the office and let us know. For St Andrews, there will be a cooler out on the front steps that you may take one from. If you need one delivered please let myself or Doug Bell know. Holy Trinity members, please call Nicole in the office. She will place one in your mail box for those of you who are mobile. We ask that you wipe down the door handle as you leave for safety. If you are not mobile let us know and we would be thrilled to deliver one to you. It will be sanitized and in a plastic bag that we leave on your front step. But if your home we look forward to waving to you from a distance.
Holy Communion will be included in this week’s service. Blessings, to you who continue toabstain. For those who choose to participate, please have cracker or bread ready with grape juice/wine/water.
It is graduation for Newton this week. Our own Blake Sevenbergen from Holy Trinity is graduating and giving the commencement address. And Daniel Vitales, son of our beloved office leader Nicole is also graduating. Please hold them both and all graduates in prayer this weekend.
Peace, Pastor Kari
WE LOVE TO TELL THE STORY
To be Rescheduled
St. Andrew's 150th Anniversary Celebration
1870-2020
Throughout 2020 St. Andrew's is celebrating its 150th Anniversary by "Honoring the Past", "Celebrating the Present", and "Envisioning the Future". Please mark your calendar and make plans to join us in the celebration.
We Love To Tell The Story |
Bird's-Eye View of St. Andrew's |
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St. Andrew's celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Here's some dates to put on your calendar:
Sunday, April 19, 10:00 a.m. - "HONORING THE PAST" Worship service and meal - All previous pastors and former congregation members are invited to attend. Bishop David Burke of the Southeastern Synod will our guest pastor. A dinner will follow. Please RSVP to standrewluth@netins.net by March 15th if you plan to attend the dinner. Postponed Sunday, June 21, 10:00 a.m. - "CELEBRATING THE PRESENT" Joint worship with Holy Trinity and Picnic Cookout - All area community members are invited to celebrate St. Andrew's as an active local faith community. Come and learn more about us. Sunday, Sept. 20 - "ENVISIONING THE FUTURE" OctoberFest - (Yes, Germans celebrate this in September.) More details to follow. |
Thank you, Julie and Ben Safrafrowich, for this unique view of St. Andrew's.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW! We'd love for you to join us!
Contact Norene Paulson at 641-527-2284 if you or someone you know is in need of prays. All requests from members and non-members are welcomed.
Thank you for taking time to visit our website. We hope that after getting to know a little about us, you'll come and visit. Everyone who worships here is considered family. Whether a first-time visitor or a returning member, you are WELCOMED! We look forward to sharing worship with you soon.
To gather with God's people in united adoration of the Father is as necessary to the Christian life as prayer.
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Check Us Out
If you are interested in finding a church home or worshipping more regularly, St. Andrew's family welcomes the opportunity to help you strengthen your spiritual relationship with God. Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Click on the above tabs to learn more about us. We'd love to see you here.
"Small but Mighty"
St. Andrew's is a member of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). First established in 1870, St. Andrew's has been ministering to generations of area families for over 144 years. Although a small, rural church, we are "Mighty in Mission." Just as Martin Luther wrote, "Faith is a living, creative, active, powerful thing," so is St. Andrew's a living, creative, active, powerful faith family. |
