Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
As of today, Bastrop County has not imposed any further restrictions on public gatherings besides the state-mandated limit of 10, so, God willing, we will be able to offer a modified service schedule on Sunday, March 29. Last week, we limited each fifteen-minute time slot to individuals/families, and we had 50 participants between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. I think the consensus is that it all went very well.
Unless further restrictions are imposed, this week we will offer 13 twenty-minute services with Holy Communion. The difference from last week is that we are allowing up to 9 people to sign up for each time slot, and I will have a 6-8 minute homily in addition to a basic liturgy.
Regarding safety:
Our parish hall is sufficiently large to allow far more space than the recommended 6-foot social distance (which I carefully maintained last Sunday as well). My "preaching station" is shown in the picture below.
I am healthy and have not had physical contact with anyone besides my own family since Sunday, March 15, and we have shifted to having our groceries delivered, so it would be extremely unlikely for me to be a carrier of COVID-19. As always, I will scrupulously wash my hands between each service.
Again, we will only offer individual cups. A picture of what each "worship station" will look like is included below (sorry about the orientation). I will be the only person handling the elements until you pick them up after the Words of Institution.
No bulletins or foam plates will be reused. Between each service, we will disinfect tables/chairs that were used. Please wait outside or in your car before your scheduled service, and I will come invite you inside when all is ready.
You may sign up for a Sunday, March 29 service time
here
.
I also will be happy to sign you up myself - just call or text 512.229.8899 or email
[email protected]
with your preferred time and I will do my best to honor requests.
Thank you for your understanding the disruptions to our congregation’s life during this difficult time. Stay safe, continue to take everything to the Lord in prayer, and let me know if you need anything!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Roth
--
Rev. Carl D. Roth, Pastor
Grace Lutheran Church (LCMS)
801 West 11th Street
Elgin, TX 78621-2006
(512) 281-3367
Jesus said, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).
