Dear Members and Friends of Hope Lutheran Church,
 
As you’ve likely heard, the national Center for Disease Control released new guidelines regarding social distancing and masks yesterday. Then, today, Governor Cooper announced related changes to pandemic restrictions in North Carolina. While we were anticipating these changes taking place a bit further down the road, we are prepared to begin implementing them here at Hope immediately.

After consulting with Pastor Lew and the Ministry Leadership Team, I am happy to share the following announcements with you, regarding our worship and Sunday School activities at Hope this weekend (May 15-16).

  • Social distancing will not be required. Open seating in the sanctuary will be available, and in Sunday School classes. For those who wish to maintain social distancing, seating will be available for this weekend in the back of the church, in the front wings, and in the balcony.
  • Masks will not be required, but are still strongly recommended for those who are not fully vaccinated.
  • Children will be invited to come forward to the altar area for the children’s message this weekend.
  • Holy Communion will be served in two continuous lines via the center aisle, and the altar rail will be available for private prayer after receiving communion.
  • Those who are preparing and serving Communion will continue to wear masks and gloves for the time being.
  • Hope’s current worship schedule (Saturday 5:30 PM; Sunday 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 AM) will remain in place for this weekend and next weekend. Feel free to attend any of these services. We are planning to return to our former, pre-pandemic Sunday worship schedule on the weekend of May 29-30, and details will be announced soon.
  • Both the 8:00 and 11:00 AM Sunday worship services will continue to be live-streamed on Hope website (www.hopelutheranwf.org), and the 8:00 AM service recording will be available for viewing after 9:30 AM each week.
  • For those unable to be present for in-person worship services this weekend, we will continue to have small-group midweek communion services next week. Sign-up in advance is required.

While the pandemic is not fully behind us, and we need to continue to be mindful of and concerned for all those with health vulnerabilities, I am pleased that we are continuing to move in the right direction. I look forward to worshipping with you this weekend (in-person, or online), and ask for your continued prayers for your church and its important mission in the community.

In Christ Jesus, our resurrected Savior and Lord,
 
Pastor Wayne Puls