The church of God at St. John’s meets this Sunday at 9 a.m., live in the fountain courtyard and online as usual. What is not usual, however, is that we shall celebrate Eucharist together! Please also note that due to the longer length of our outdoor service, the online Adult Forum begins at 11 a.m.
Please note that there is a time change on Sunday morning. Saturday night remember to spring ahead an hour!
Though we are not technically in the“Red Zone” in Orange County (we are required to be where we are now for two weeks to be officially in the red zone – just two days short of our Sunday gathering), the Diocesan guidelines allow for outdoor gatherings as long as these requirements are met:
- You must be free of any symptoms that could be COVID-like (no fever, sore throat, or uncontrollable coughing)
- You must not have been exposed to anyone diagnosed with Covid in the previous 14 days
- You must also register online to attend the Sunday morning service. Registration closes Saturdays at 5 p.m. for the next day’s service. We are required to register so that we have an accurate record of all in attendance in the event we need to contact trace.
- Masks are required at all times except for communion (holy bread only).
- You must bring a chair for yourself.
- You must retain safe, prescribed, 6-foot distancing throughout the service and into the parking lot. You will be guided where to sit by a greeter and by the 6-foot marked spaces on the patio.
- Liberal use of hand sanitizer is encouraged (stations will be provided).
- Restroom use will be available only in the Cardinal Gym..
You may wish to bring a lap blanket, as the forecasted high on Sunday is but 61°. We are unable to host a coffee hour after the service at this time. As difficult as it will be, we will have to disband after the service without much socializing. We will have glorious music, but need to hold off on singing until a later date.
Holy Week plans:
Yes, it is only two weeks away and we are set with our worship plans!
Palm Sunday:
We will gather for worship outside in the courtyard at 9 a.m. It will look a much like what this Sunday will look like with identical restrictions.
Maundy Thursday:
We shall gather online at 6 p.m. for a prayerful, ritual meal together. Much like how we celebrated Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, Rev. Karen is preparing bags for pickup at the church and will include a print out of our prayers, some special elements for the meal, a piece of bread, and a menu for the evening.
Good Friday:
We will gather virtually again in a service of solemn collects and reflections. This service will be live-streamed from the church and will start at 6 p.m.
For our Easter celebration we have two plans:
Plan A:
We’ll celebrate two services outdoors on Easter morning, April 4 at 8 and 10 a.m. The framework for this service will follow exactly those of this Sunday’s requirements.
Plan B:
If the bishop permits, and we are able to gather indoors for worship, we shall do so with these additional restrictions
- Only 100 people may gather indoors for each service.
- Social distancing and masking requirements will remain the same.
- Because we are limited to 100 worshipers indoors, in this plan we will have three services; one Saturday night at 7 p.m., and two on Sunday morning at 8 and 10 a.m.
We should have an idea next week on the plan we’ll use for our Easter celebration.
Rev. Karen and I are over-the-top with excitement about getting together live again to praise God and to worship with you as God’s holy family. ⬛️
Our online regular online gatherings for this week — Sunday, March 14 through Saturday, March 20 — are below. If you aren’t on my Saturday e-blast that contains the worship links and the Wednesday Bible Fellowship, email me and I’ll add you.
• Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday Morning Prayer, 9 a.m. Here’s the worship bulletin for Sunday, March 14.
• Adult Forum, Sunday, 11 a.m. Part three of a four-part series. Our guest leader is Linda Allport who is surveying a selection of ideas from our Judeo-Christian heritage. If you didn’t receive my Saturday e-blast, please email Linda for link.
• Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Evening Prayer, 8 p.m.
• Bible Fellowship Wednesdays, 6 p.m.
Children’s Ministry News from Corey Gonsalves:
“We’re inching our way closer and closer to Easter in our Godly Play lessons. Here’s the link to this week’s lesson that discusses Jesus’s time in the wilderness. This storyteller is especially easy to hear and understand.
“Next week I’m mailing out our craft project so be on the lookout. Once your child has had a chance to make the project, please take a picture and share it with me.
“I’ve been told we’re getting close to having our children back in the Godly Play Room. I’ll make sure to let you know when that has been confirmed. I can’t wait to see your smiling faces again!”
My (Rev. Christopher) Zoom office hours are Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Here’s my Zoom link.
Rev. Karen’s Zoom office hours are Thursdays at 10 a.m. Here’s Rev. Karen’s Zoom link.
In the name of Jesus,
Christopher+