COVID-19 CANCELS SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

March 13, 2020

From Pastor Rayl

Good afternoon everyone,

I sent you and earlier letter stating that FSJ would continue to hold services on Sunday mornings. This has changed since the Governor issued his directive yesterday banning all gatherings of 100 people or more. After lengthy discussion between myself, Mark Ackerman, church council and other leaders in the congregation, it has been decided that we will cancel both worship services on the next two Sundays, (March 15 & 22) this includes J.A.M. Sunday school and Catechism classes. We will plan on holding services on Sunday, March 29; but that is under review due to any changes or advise.

At the moment we will continue with Lent worship on Wednesday, both morning and evening (11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.). During these services we will be use “distancing measures” to provide the necessary spacing between us. We will still hold the Church Council meeting on Tuesday, (March 17). Other meetings will be considered on an individual basis and notice sent to the participants.

As my previous email asked, so I emphasize again. the need to continue your stewardship contributions either by mailing them to the church office, setting them aside to bring later, or going to the church website and going the Vanco link to make an online gift. At this time, the church office will remain open during the week, and I will be at the church as needed during the week . You can also check TV channels 13 and 11 for notices of closings. Also know that we are joining a large number of churches in Lucas and Wood counties in canceling services during the crisis.

Please check the church website (www.firststjohn.com) for further information, copies of worship services, sermons, prayers and devotions. We will work to post things as the days progress.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me (pastor1@firststjohn.com and 567-395-0143) or Mark Ackerman the congregational president. We will keep everyone updated as things change and require.

Thank you for your faithful support as disciples of Jesus.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,

My God, my rock in whom I take refuge.”

Blessings, Pastor Rayl

Pastor Jerald Rayl, Pastor
First St. John Lutheran Church
2471 Seaman Street
Toledo, Ohio 43605
Mobile: 567-395-0143
Office: 419-691-7222
Email: pastor1@firststjohn.com

F.S.J. STATEMENT ON COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS)

Date:     March 11, 2020

Re:         First St. John and COVID-19-  (coronavirus)

To:         Our members and friends

From:     Pastor Jerald Rayl

Greetings everyone in the healing name of Jesus,

We are all attentive to the news and information about the COVID-19. There is a lot being said, some factual and some not. I want to let you know that Mark Ackerman, the congregational president, and I have been monitoring and discussing what is being reported. We wanted to let you know what is being considered as our response to the situation.

First, we will abide by all the directives made by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and what is directed and required by our local, state and national health and government officials. So far, there is nothing that is directing for the canceling of church worship services, meetings or events. And we are not planning to do so at this moment, so we will continue to hold services at the scheduled times on Sunday, and Wednesday. This can change at any time, and we will let you know as quickly as possible.

However, we are making some changes in how we do things. We will no longer promote shaking hands as a greeting in church, especially during the Sharing of the Peace. Instead we are asking everyone to greet each other by putting your hand over your heart, doing the “elbow bump” or making the “peace sign” with your two fingers. I prefer these to doing the “fist bump” because it still is hand contact, and using a fist seems to me to look too much like striking out or hitting the other person.

The Altar Guild will be using food service plastic gloves to prepare the bread and wine for communion. I will continue as I always have, to use hand sanitizer before I distribute the communion wafers. You are encouraged if you have it to bring your own small container of hand sanitizer to church to use as you wish. Our cleaning crew is regularly disinfecting the door handles and opening bars on all the doors of the church. And we will continue to stock the pews with boxes of tissues which you can use if you should cough or sneeze. Our Day School has already communicated its policy and procedures to our children’s families.

At this time, attending worship services is an individual and personal choice. If you do choose to not attend, please remember your stewardship contributions by mailing your envelope to the church office, or using the link on the church website to go to Vanco to make an online contribution. We will also be attempting to post an audio recording of the worship services on the website which you can listen to, and we are working on also having a video available soon.

If there are changes to these procedures, we will keep you informed. If you have any question, please contact the church office, or myself via email, text message or voice. Thank you for your continued faithful support of our mission as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Jerald Rayl

Pastor1@firststjohn.com

567-395-0143