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Because of you, this Church changes lives!
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Worship matters for the week
of May 16, 2021
Summer worship & COVID updates, online and in-person worship options,
resources for children and families, and a CLC Variety Show
Summer Worship & Updating our COVID precautions
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Like you we were encouraged by the CDC’s announcement this week, which reflects the substantial progress we are making together in controlling this pandemic. We were delighted by the personal freedoms available to those who are vaccinated even as we remain aware of those for whom vaccines are not yet available or possible: our children under 12 and beloveds of all ages with compromised immune systems and other medical concerns.
Throughout this pandemic we have kept the wellbeing of the vulnerable and our sense of being community together as our foremost concerns - our priorities and focus remain the same. While personal freedoms for those who are vaccinated have increased, our Christian and congregational responsibility remains the same: to
love and serve our neighbors, especially those who are vulnerable, both in our midst and in our surrounding community. For their sake, both in solidarity and out of abundant love and concern, our congregation will continue to shape our worship and our activities in ways that help keep them safe.
However, thanks be to God, we have learned much better which are the most effective and necessary safety measures. While livestream worship will continue as our primary gathering, the coming summer months allow us to return to outdoor worship which we’ve learned is even safer than we hoped. We’ve learned about transmission
indoors and what’s important to mitigate and what is less so. We are excited that over the next few weeks we will be able to, safely, draw closer to the unfettered in-person worship we are all longing for.
Starting this Sunday we are adjusting our in-person, indoor worship opportunities:
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Because our Pastors are vaccinated and can maintain a good distance, they will remove their masks for preaching and other portions of worship leadership.
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Lectors and Prayer Assistants who are vaccinated are welcome to remove their masks for their portion of leadership, should they feel comfortable doing so.
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In the distribution of Holy Communion, we will return to speaking “the Body/Blood of Christ, given for you” individually, while retaining the practice of waiting until we’ve moved to the side before consuming the bread and wine.
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Beginning on Pentecost Sunday we will join in congregational song, singing a Sending Hymn at the end of the service. (Before we sing, exterior doors will be opened to increase ventilation.)
When worshiping indoors, because masks both protect our unvaccinated sisters and brothers and prevent them from infecting others, we expect those who are vaccinated to continue wearing masks so as not to single out those who cannot: our children and those who are vulnerable. (Neither checking for vaccination at the door nor creating two separate populations in worship are desirable for Christian community!) Because physical distancing remains crucial to protect the health of the unvaccinated, we
will continue to honor 6’ distancing and our rearranged seating; the reduced capacity means we will continue to require registration.
Our Thursday Evening Summer Outdoor Worship will begin on June 3, and we are excited that:
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Because we will be outdoors and able to remain distanced, we will return to singing together. Our Worship team is excited to teach us a new sung holy communion service, composed by Marty Haugen (who wrote our beloved Holden Evening Prayer service).
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Since we’ve been blessed with a big “church backyard,” we don’t expect to need registration or capacity limits.
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We’re invited to bring our own camp chairs/blankets to sit on, though folding chairs will also be available.
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We will not require masks during our outdoor worship, but we will ask for appropriate distancing.
Of course, our concern for the vulnerable is best lived-out by encouraging those who are able to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please encourage and, when possible, assist your neighbors and friends to make vaccination appointments. If they, or you, need help with that process, please call us in the Church Office (462-6660) and we will be glad to connect you with those who can help.
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Worship for Sunday, May 16, 2021
Livestream worship at 9:00am
In-person worship at 10:30am
Note: All upcoming CLC registrations are always available at our Events Page
Please note:
- All in-person opportunities are dependent on continued positive developments in terms of infection rates, COVID metrics, and relevant guidance, and are subject to last-minute cancellation if necessary.
- If you feel in the least bit unwell, please stay home! Help us keep our beloved community safe.
- Masks are expected while in the building, in solidarity with, and to protect, our children and vulnerable beloved.
- Hand sanitizer is available and encouraged throughout the building.
- We will not use hymnals, nor pass offering plates.
- Communion distribution has been adjusted to reduce the risks of contact
- Our HVAC system will run throughout our service with outside air intake maximized to increase ventilation. We have installed UV sterilization filters in the Sanctuary and Church Hall systems to provide additional mitigation. On occasion we will open side doors for extra ventilation.
For Children and Families
Worship Activity Page: Kids-Celebrate-Easter-7-B-Childrens-Bulletin.pdf
Join friends for Sunday School at 10:15: https://youtu.be/CYF9WX2v15g
Mark your calendars for some
all-ages fun!
May 22, 4pm, back turnaround – Church Variety Show and Picnic
Come share a real talent or a “talent” – everything from the sublime to the ridiculous is welcome – google a few knock-knock jokes, play your kazoo, and join the fun!
We’ll gather outdoors – bring your sunglasses and a picnic dinner! (Rain date is May 23 at 4pm.)
Register here: https://clcvalpo.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/737953
While we keep ourselves separate to steward each others' health, we
are including Holy Communion during our livestream on Sundays. Our goal is to experience Communion together, even while apart; immediate, not something available as a recording that someone might use later; organic, not something prepackaged or purchased; safe and accessible, so people don't need to travel/have contact with others to pick things up. Please note: extraordinary times like these require us to depart from our usual practices. We all
eagerly look forward to the time when we can leave these extraordinary measures behind and return to safely gathering in person on Sundays, as is our norm.
Here's what you need to prepare in advance: Before Sunday's service, choose a plate and cup that you will use for Communion in your space. Find some bread (whatever kind works for you; even a cracker can do in a pinch) and, if you have it, grape juice or wine. Note that if you don't have grape juice or wine, that's perfectly OK; our theology teaches that receiving Christ in one element (i.e. just bread or just wine) is more than sufficient! You can leave an empty cup ready as a sign of
that overabundance of blessing. We also recommend having a candle handy, which you can light throughout the Sunday service, if that is safe for you, to help create a worshipful space.
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