COVID Worship Procedures

We are excited to announce that we will begin opening the sanctuary for in-person attendance on May 30th at 7:00 PM and May 31st at 10:00 AM.  In order to do so safely there will be additional requirements that everyone must follow. ​

1. Personal health:  Do you have a fever or other symptoms?  Please stay home if you are unsure of your health. 
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2. Everyone will be required to wear masks in keeping with the 5th Commandment to do no harm to our neighbor.  Please bring your own.  If you do not have one, some masks will be available.  The pastors will not wear a mask when leading the liturgy and prayers, reading God’s Word, and preaching. This will enable facial communication and avoid microphone issues.  They will use masks and gloves during communion distribution.
   
   
3. To maintain social distancing the seating is limited to 100 people per service, at this time. If more arrive, the service will be provided via an FM transmitter and a 70" video screen on the porch.  The parking closest to the porch will be reserved for this function. 
   
   
4. Parking lot:  Please practice social distancing and use wisdom if visiting with each other.  Physical contact is best saved for a later date, even though we will want to give handshakes and hugs.
   
   
5. Enter through the center porch door only, which will be propped open (weather permitting). 

• Hand sanitizer will be available.  Members can bring their own sanitizer or wipes as well.  We are purchasing cleaning products that are safe for the finish of our wooden pews. 
• The service will be provided on the screen so a service bulletin is not needed.  If a news portion of the bulletin is provided, it can be picked up from a table in the Narthex.  
• The offering box will be in the narthex.  Passing the plates is not wise at this time.
• Family groups should move immediately through the Narthex and into the church filling the front of the church first.  Pews will be “roped off” to help with social distancing.  We ask that everyone sit on the pulpit side first and if needed then sit on the lectern side.  This will reduce cleaning afterwards.  [Hint:  If you like the pulpit side, then arrive early.]   
• The hymnals, communion cards, pencils, etc. will be removed from the pew racks.
  
  

1. Bathrooms will be available, but please try to limit their use.  Exiting for bathrooms will be down the center aisle and out the doors by the piano and pulpit.  Return through the Narthex and center aisle just as you entered the church.  Sanitization will take place after each service.  Please do not walk to any other parts of the building.
   
   
2. From time to time the live-stream camera may briefly show the congregation for those at home to see familiar faces.  If you are uncomfortable with this, we suggest sitting toward the back.
   
   
3. Our first celebration of Holy Communion will take place the weekend of June 13-14.  June 13 will also be our Confirmation and First Communion service for our 4 Confirmands.  Communion will be on the 2nd and 4th weekends throughout the summer.  We will use a walk through system on both pulpit and lectern sides.  Distribution will be at the floor level in the front.  The Elder/usher will invite family groups forward alternating sides and maintaining at least 6 feet between each family group.  Members will come forward using the center aisle and return by the outside aisle. 
   
   ​Pastors will wear gloves and mask, to administer the wafer.  An Elder, wearing a mask and gloves, will invite the people to “Take and drink…” the wine from the trays set on a table.  NO common cup at this time.  The individual cups will be spaced out so to avoid touching another cup.  A blessing for children can be offered but will follow social distancing.  The pastor will give a corporate dismissal after all have been communed.
   
   The pastors will provide an extension of the communion service later in the day from 1-3 p.m. to those who wish to drive to the church on the scheduled Sunday.  This is for those who watched the live-stream.  Please call the office to arrange to be served Communion in the parking lot.    
   
   
4. Exiting the sanctuary after the service.
   An Elder/usher will stand in the center aisle and dismiss each row (wedding style) from the back, so that they do not walk past others and break social distancing.  Worshipers will exit the outside aisles and through the respective porch doors (East and West) that will be propped open.