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St. John Lutheran Church
901 Breckenridge Lane Louisville, Kentucky 40207 
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MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
In-Person & Virtual Worship
Dear Friends in Christ,
After careful consideration of advice from the Worship Committee, Bishop Bill Gafkjen, and the CDC, the Congregation Council has decided to implement the following Covid-19 protocols to address the recent surge in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations.
I know this is a disappointment and a burden, but it is also a way of showing love for our neighbor, including those who have not been vaccinated, those with medical conditions, and especially those who are children and cannot yet be vaccinated.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Andy
. . .with the support of the Synod Executive Committee, I offer the following counsel to the people, leaders, and communities of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod.
If you have not been vaccinated and are able to be vaccinated, please get those shots in the arm as soon as possible. If you have friends or family members who have not been vaccinated, please encourage them to do so and do whatever you can to help them do it. Despite what some are trying to make of it, vaccination is not a political issue. It is a matter of human health and the common good. If you are concerned that getting vaccinated is somehow a violation of your personal rights or freedom, consider the counsel of scripture:
For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery...For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [Galatians 5:1, 13-14]
We strongly recommend that current CDC guidelines be followed in all in-person gatherings of the body of Christ, including worship. Faith communities should continue or reimplement the wearing of face-coverings and physical distancing for all present for indoor gatherings and to limit high risk activities like corporate singing and speaking and some communion practices.
Beloved of God, together and in the power of the Holy Spirit we will find our way through the twists and turns, ups and downs, forward movements and disappointing roundabouts of this coronavirus wilderness. Even at this late leg of the journey, God still promises nourishing and sustaining water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. This sustenance comes to us most often
through one another and our neighbors. “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.” [1 Corinthians 4:1].
Peace be with you,
Bishop Bill Gafkjen
Virtual Communion Instructions
After consultation with the Worship Committee, we will be celebrating virtual communion for those worshipping online each Sunday until the end of the Covid-19 restrictions on gathering for worship. Virtual communion is where you obtain your own bread and wine or grape juice to take in your home as part of Holy Communion over which I preside at church.
When I lift the bread and say, “In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread. . .” you lift the bread. When I lift the wine and say, “In the same way also, he took the cup. . .” you lift your cup of wine or grape juice.
When I say, “The body of Christ, given for you,” you take the bread, or give it to each other if you are worshiping with others. When I say “The blood of Christ, shed for you,” you drink the wine or grape juice, or give it to each other.
Please use a small enough amount of bread and wine or grape juice that you can consume the whole of it during the service or immediately after. If you have some left over, you can also leave it or pour it on the ground outside.
It may be a good idea to create a small worship space for yourself in your home. Set out a cross and light a candle, so that you can feel the presence of God and of the rest of the community more clearly. If you do not feel comfortable sharing Holy Communion in this way, you do not have to. Holy Communion is always voluntary. Information on how to attend worship online can be found here on our website. Please let me know if you have questions or thoughts on this practice. Thank you for the privilege of serving you.
God’s Blessing,
Pastor Andy
In-Person & Virtual Worship
Dear Friends in Christ,
After careful consideration of advice from the Worship Committee, Bishop Bill Gafkjen, and the CDC, the Congregation Council has decided to implement the following Covid-19 protocols to address the recent surge in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations.
- Beginning in January we are no longer asking people to call the church office to register for worship ahead of time. We do ask that you sign your name as you enter church.
- We will continue social distancing.
- You may wear a mask if you wish, but they are not required.
- We will limit our singing at worship to worship leaders. The congregation is invited to speak or hum the songs.
I know this is a disappointment and a burden, but it is also a way of showing love for our neighbor, including those who have not been vaccinated, those with medical conditions, and especially those who are children and cannot yet be vaccinated.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Andy
. . .with the support of the Synod Executive Committee, I offer the following counsel to the people, leaders, and communities of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod.
If you have not been vaccinated and are able to be vaccinated, please get those shots in the arm as soon as possible. If you have friends or family members who have not been vaccinated, please encourage them to do so and do whatever you can to help them do it. Despite what some are trying to make of it, vaccination is not a political issue. It is a matter of human health and the common good. If you are concerned that getting vaccinated is somehow a violation of your personal rights or freedom, consider the counsel of scripture:
For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery...For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [Galatians 5:1, 13-14]
We strongly recommend that current CDC guidelines be followed in all in-person gatherings of the body of Christ, including worship. Faith communities should continue or reimplement the wearing of face-coverings and physical distancing for all present for indoor gatherings and to limit high risk activities like corporate singing and speaking and some communion practices.
Beloved of God, together and in the power of the Holy Spirit we will find our way through the twists and turns, ups and downs, forward movements and disappointing roundabouts of this coronavirus wilderness. Even at this late leg of the journey, God still promises nourishing and sustaining water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. This sustenance comes to us most often
through one another and our neighbors. “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.” [1 Corinthians 4:1].
Peace be with you,
Bishop Bill Gafkjen
Virtual Communion Instructions
After consultation with the Worship Committee, we will be celebrating virtual communion for those worshipping online each Sunday until the end of the Covid-19 restrictions on gathering for worship. Virtual communion is where you obtain your own bread and wine or grape juice to take in your home as part of Holy Communion over which I preside at church.
When I lift the bread and say, “In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread. . .” you lift the bread. When I lift the wine and say, “In the same way also, he took the cup. . .” you lift your cup of wine or grape juice.
When I say, “The body of Christ, given for you,” you take the bread, or give it to each other if you are worshiping with others. When I say “The blood of Christ, shed for you,” you drink the wine or grape juice, or give it to each other.
Please use a small enough amount of bread and wine or grape juice that you can consume the whole of it during the service or immediately after. If you have some left over, you can also leave it or pour it on the ground outside.
It may be a good idea to create a small worship space for yourself in your home. Set out a cross and light a candle, so that you can feel the presence of God and of the rest of the community more clearly. If you do not feel comfortable sharing Holy Communion in this way, you do not have to. Holy Communion is always voluntary. Information on how to attend worship online can be found here on our website. Please let me know if you have questions or thoughts on this practice. Thank you for the privilege of serving you.
God’s Blessing,
Pastor Andy
Sunday Worship
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