In line with the NC governor’s recommendation for gathering of more than 100 people and the
guidance of the Bishop of the NC Synod
, as of today all in person gatherings of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, including worship, are cancelled for the rest of the month. We do not know how long these conditions will last, but we anticipate that it will be April before we can gather again.
As I said at worship on Wednesday night, with Paul we are convinced that there is nothing in all of creation, including the Covid-19 coronavirus that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. God has got this, and God has got us, one way or another. At issue here is how we care for our neighbors who are vulnerable. When strict physical distancing practices slow transmission rates and allow adequate access to healthcare resources, death rates from this disease are substantially lower- perhaps as much as five times lower. So in this instance, staying away from each other physically is one way we care for each other.
As for life at St Mark’s in the coming weeks, here’s what we know so far:
Worship:
In person worship is cancelled, but we will plan to gather online in the ways that copyright licensing will allow. This week, that will mean you can view a livestream of a simple worship order on the church Facebook page at 10:00am. Even in you don’t have Facebook, our video will be public, so you should be able to find it on
St. Mark’s Facebook page
. If you are not in a place you can livestream with us, please plan to lift your prayers from wherever you are at 10am so we can all be praying together. You can read the daily scripture readings assigned for each day by the
Revised Common Lectionary
at that time too! And don’t forget, you can still bring your tithes and offerings by mailing us a check or by clicking the “Donate” button at the top right of our website,
stmarkslutheran.net
(if you choose the checking option, the church doesn’t pay as much in fees).
Faith Formation:
Faith formation classes will not happen this Sunday (3/15), but we hope to provide an online meeting option for the next week. Don’t forget, you can stay connected to your faith community every day by using our St. Mark’s Lenten devotional,
Resting in Unchanging Grace
.
It has daily reflections, scripture, and awesome cover art by Jaya Penland!
Ministry Teams & Groups:
Ministry teams, choir rehearsals, quilting, and all other in person meetings are cancelled. We encourage you to find ways to stay in touch with one another and be about your business and mission from a distance. We hope to be able to provide tools for online meetings by early next week.
Confirmation:
Confirmation will still happen this week via online meeting. Details will be coming, but plan on the same, 5:30 meeting time
Church Office Closed:
The church office will be closed, but staff will still be working. Communication will be done as if this were inclement weather – on our website, via email and on our voicemail. You can also reach each staff member via their cell phones. These numbers are below and can be found in the directory.
Pastor Matt – 828.719.8964
Deacon Katie – 845.206.1364
Cantor David – 914.787.0376
Scottie – 980.474.6726
Pastor Linda – 828.337.5876
Eileen – 828.216.8319
-We’re putting this word out every way we know how, but please call folks you are worried might not have gotten the message. If you speak to folks who did not get this message, encourage them to provide an email address to the church office by emailing
admin@stmarkslutheran.net
.
-Please check on each other, especially our folks in vulnerable health situations, and see what help people need. If you are not able to meet that need, let Pastor Matt know at 828-719-8964. As economic impacts worsen, remember that the poor and the food insecure are the ones who will be hit the hardest. Keep your ears open for how we might help. On that note, college students all over the country are realizing they cannot go back to their dorm rooms, and some won’t have a safe place to go. A Lutheran community in Atlanta is looking for folks willing to
host displaced students
from that area if you are able to help. It’s a crazy time, but what an opportunity we have to be the Church and show the world what it looks like to follow Jesus.
We’ll put out more information as we have it, but for now:
+The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor, and give you peace+
Pastor Matt
What then are we to say about these things? … I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. -
Romans 8:31a, 38
