Hello –
This Sunday we return to in-person worship for those who feel comfortable coming to church. We continue to make masks a requirement when in the church. Further, we have gone back to roping off every other pew to make it easier to be socially distant.
We will not be having the Epiphany Pageant as planned. There is still too much uncertainty around Omicron for our children to gather in that way.
As we reopen we will be changing the timing of the opening of the service. The connection for distance worship on YouTube and Facebook live starts at 9:50am, as has been our custom. Starting this Sunday, I will return to ringing the bell at 9:55am, after which, Mike will start playing the prelude. (I had ben ringing the bell right at 10am.) That means that the time of the announcements will vary some, depending on the length of the prelude.
As many of you know, three weeks ago today Sue was taken to the hospital after a bad fall and George had a heart attack while in the hospital. They both died shortly after. The funeral for George and Sue will be next Saturday, the 15th at 11am but in person attendance will be limited to family due to COVID restrictions. The family expects at least 40 people. It will be broadcast on YouTube and Facebook live.
At our staff meeting yesterday we made the unusual decision to dedicate our Sunday worship on the 16th to Sue and George, giving our St. Paul’s community a chance to grieve and celebrate together in person if they wish. The hymns and at least some of the readings will be the ones Sue chose for her funeral. My sermon will be about them. They asked for Rite One, so, while the service will be our usual Rite Two, we’ll include the great Prayer of Humble Access form Rite One (“we are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs from under thy table…”).
We wish, of course, that we could all gather together to celebrate their lives- family, St. Paul’s and the greater network of friends. But in these strange and stress filled times we do the best we can.
Please join us these next two Sundays in lifting our hearts up to the Lord in thanks and praise.