Dear Friends,
Early this week, Montgomery County’s Phase 2 reopening was announced. This step allows indoor services in houses of worship with requirements including a limit of “one congregant/family unit per 200 square feet of service space.”
Beginning on Sunday, July 5, The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew will offer two worship services at 9:30 am (Traditional) and 11:00 am (Contemporary) with a limit of 60 attendees at each service in addition to worship leaders and assistants. The capacity at each service conforms to county limitations. The number of services, we believe, will accommodate those who in a recent congregational survey indicated their intention to return to worship immediately and comply with all stated restrictions and requirements.
Our services will be brief and will safely include the celebration of Holy Communion. No other classes or activities will take place. As restrictions ease and more of you are able to return to worship, other services and gatherings will be re-introduced. For those in high risk categories and others who are led to wait for the further lifting of restrictions, virtual worship will continue online and small group gatherings for Holy Communion will be offered at mid-week.
Several days prior to our reopening, you will receive directions for pre-registering for the service you would like to attend along with detailed information about returning to worship and making appointments for mid-week communions.
In the meantime, our initial offering of small group outdoor communion has been well-received. As such, we have scheduled more opportunities to receive communion with a group of 9 or less on Sunday, June 21 and Sunday, June 28. Click HERE to learn more and make an appointment for Holy Communion in this small group setting. All are welcome, space available.
We give thanks for every opportunity to gradually return to the spiritual life we treasure so much, and will keep our whole church family informed and in prayer as the process continues.
The Lord be with you +
In Christ, your brother,
Mark Hricko, Pastor