council lifts suspension of in-person services · absent: jim dumler, kameron schneider, richard...

St. John Lutheran Church

425 N. Main, Russell KS 67665 785-483-5358

Website: stjohnrussell.com Email: [email protected]

Find us on Facebook

Pastor: Roger Dennis PMA: John Dumler

Youth & Family Ministry Coordinators: Alex & Audrey Lofland

June 2020

Scholarship Information

Applications for the Mai Family Scholarship and the Earlin Nuss Memorial Scholarship are now being accepted for the 2020-2021 school year. Awards will be presented to those students who are in good standing at St. John.

The award presentation has been tentatively scheduled for the 10:30 am service on Sunday, July 26. Scholarship recipients (or their representative) must be in attendance at the award presentation to receive the award. Details will be made available as soon as they are available.

Applications may be picked up in the Church office. Applications should be completed and turned in to the church office by July 1.

As a community of believers in Jesus Christ, inspired by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit,

the mission of St. John Lutheran Church is to: WORSHIP, WITNESS, LEARN, SERVE and SUPPORT

Council lifts suspension

of in-person services

Curbside communion will be offered May 31, 2020, while in-person worship will resume June 6 and 7 at regular service times. The Monday Healing Services will not be offered until further notice.

Curbside Communion

8:15 to 10:15 each Sunday Morning (Weather permitting)

Curbside Communion will be offered to those who desire to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion, but due to illness or caution, do not want to worship in the sanctuary. Curbside Communion will be offered each week (until further notice) on the south side of the church on East Artesia Street. Artesia is a one-way street and people are asked to approach the street headed north on Main Street. It is also requested that the driver of the vehicle wear a mask until the Eucharist is received and Pastor or John has stepped away from the vehicle.

In-Person Worship (observing required protocols)

6:00 pm Saturday 8:15 am Sunday ~ 10:30 am Sunday

St. John will observe all guidelines of the Russell County Health Department and our church insurance provider including the wearing of masks (for those over two years of age) and observing social distancing. Thus, one can

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June 2020

Volunteers Needed

Although traditional worship assistants will not be utilized during this time,

Pastor would like volunteers to assist with seating parishioners and providing

direction during services. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact

the church office as soon as possible.

Council lifts suspension of in-person services

anticipate and expect worship will not yet be like it was before. We will incorporate all we can (liturgy, etc.) to make the service “comfortingly familiar” but safety precautions will be taken to observe the principles of “do no harm” while being guided by our concern for our neighbors and the writings of the Holy Scriptures (Romans 14:1; Romans 15:1; and I Corinthians 8:7-12).

Thus, people should note the following:

Masks will be required for those two years of age and older. We will have a limited number of masks available for those that do not remember to bring one. If you cannot wear a mask for any reason, please stay home and follow us via various platforms.

Social distancing guidelines (six feet separation, etc.) will be observed. To ensure successful social distancing, the Saturday service will be held in

the Sanctuary. Markers on the floor (Here I Stand) will be present to maintain spacing and

people are asked not to move forward until the marker ahead of them has been cleared.

People will be guided to a seat, guided to receive the Sacrament (when offered) and guided to depart the sanctuary. Families and couples will be allowed to sit together but will be at least six feet from others. We believe we can seat 90 in the sanctuary this way. You may find yourself not sitting in your normal spot, or sitting in the front pew - Grace Abounds.

Offering plates will not be passed, but will be present as people enter the sanctuary. Offering will not be brought forward during the service.

All hymnals, Bibles, pencils, and pew cards have been removed until further notice.

There will be no congregational or choir singing. The altar rail will not be utilized for Holy Communion.

If you are ill, have traveled to or from areas identified by the Russell County Health Department, or are running a fever or not feeling well, please stay home and follow us via various platforms.

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June 2020

OR

Why are we doing what we are doing?

Why is wearing a mask mandatory?

We are following Russell County Health Department guidelines because of our concern for each other. Many members of our congregation are at risk, including Pastor Dennis, PMA Dumler, and others.

Why are we returning to in-person worship?

At the moment, Russell County has not reported a positive case of the virus. We pray that will continue. We have met, and are meeting, all guidelines advocated by health officials and our insurer. However, as we open, we do so cognizant that dynamics can change at any moment and believe that discretion is a better part of valor. Communal worship (gathering together) runs deep in the history and understanding of what it means to be “church”. Where we come together and how we come together influences not only our understanding of the “sacred”, but contributes to our sense of well being, whether we are aware or not, as we participate in the rituals of life that offer stability, reassurance, and hope. Thus, St. John desires to offer a “both-and” rather than an “either-or” approach to worship. However, the overarching principle will be the safe well being of all. This decision was not made lightly.

Can other activities or groups utilizing the church start again?

Yes, provided groups wear masks, observe social distancing guidelines, make an effort to sanitize at the conclusion of their activities, and the number of participants do not exceed the executive orders (at the time) or guidance from the Russell County Health Department. Churches are exempt from executive orders at the moment, but St. John will observe the guidelines outside of worship services.

What about funerals, baptisms, weddings, etc.?

Each event will be determined on an individual basis but Russell County Health

Department and liability guidance will still apply.

Any other questions should be directed to the church office.

June 2020

Congregational Tidbits

PRAYERS FOR GOD’S PRESENCE

OUR SYMPATHIES AND GOD’S COMFORT to the family and friends of

Care Center Residents

Homestead

Main Street Manor

Wheatland

If you (or a family member) would like to be listed in this section of the announcements,

please contact the church office. No one will be listed without permission.

Congregational Tidbits

PRAYERS FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE US MILITARY OR IN SERVICE ABROAD

June 2020

OUR PARISH RECORDS

Offerings

March 22 ................ $3,285.00 March 29 .................. 4,430.00

April 5 ...................... 3,075.00 April 12 .................... 5,105.00 April 19 .................... 4,010.00 April 26 .................... 4,375.00

May 3 ....................... 6,185.00 May 10 ..................... 2,090.00 May 17 ..................... 2,600.00 May 24 ..................... 1,775.00 May 31 ............................ *

*information not available at time of publication

Worship Attendance

Date Sat Early Late Total

March 22 - May 31 10:30 Sunday services streamed and broadcast on KRSL (as scheduled) Maundy Thursday service streamed (4/9) Community Good Friday service streamed and broadcast on KRSL (noon, 4/10) Good Friday service streamed (7 pm, 4/10)

Special Offerings

March 18 Lenten Service .................... $164.00 April 9 Maundy Thursday Service ....... 155.00 April 10 Good Friday Service ............... 252.00

Sunday School Attendance & Offering

There has been no in-person Sunday School since March 22

St. John Lutheran Church Council Meeting May 20, 2020

Voting Members Present: Pastor Roger Dennis, Judy Albrecht, Carol Fritz, Andrea Krauss, Kristine Mader, Blaine Maier, Nathan Ryan, Kim Stoppel Others Present: John Dumler, Judy Holmes, Sheryl Krug, Alex Lofland Excused: Gaylon Walter Absent: Jim Dumler, Kameron Schneider, Richard Sieker, Mary Ulrich

Council President Maier called the meeting to order at 5:18 pm. Pastor Roger Dennis led the Council members in prayer.

There were no additions to the Agenda. The Council approved by consensus to move the Standing Committee Reports Agenda Item to the end of the meeting.

It was moved, seconded, and passed to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2020 Council Meeting as presented.

Council Vice President Krauss reviewed the financial reports. It was moved, seconded, and passed to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented.

Pastor Dennis distributed a rough draft of the Constitution for review, highlighting several items that will

require Council action. No action was taken. Custodial and administrative staffing was discussed, with final action planned for the June meeting at the

earliest. It was moved, seconded, and passed to approve modified Administrative Assistant hours as implemented.

Pastor Dennis reviewed possible plans for resuming in-person services. It was moved, seconded, and

passed to offer curbside Eucharist starting May 31 (8:15 to 10:15 am) and resume in-person service the weekend of June 6 and 7, abiding by all social distancing protocols as presented by the Russell County Health Officer. By consensus, the Council approved discretion be given to Pastor Dennis and Council President Maier to modify or rescind this decision based on future action of the State or County. Pastor noted that all methods of communications will be utilized to present this information to members of St. John Lutheran Church, including newsletter, Clergy Comments, social media, website, and signage.

The current status of the elevator was discussed, noting that after one additional repair, all is well. Council President Maier and Council Vice President Krauss updated the Council on the status of Buttons

& Bows Preschool. It was moved, seconded, and passed to contract with Kim Lyon to provide education services for Buttons & Bows Preschool.

Invocation / Call to Order

Amendments to Agenda

Approval of Minutes

Treasurer’s Report

Unfinished Business

New Business

Discussion

June 2020

PMA – PMA Dumler submitted the written report prepared for the April Council Meeting, providing

updates on each item. Youth and Family Ministry - Youth & Family Ministry Coordinator Lofland noted that the 2021

National Youth Gathering is on hold, and all local fundraising efforts have been temporarily suspended. Education – PMA Dumler reported that the Education Committee Zoom meeting on May 18 was not

entirely successful, and has been rescheduled for May 26. The Committee will be discussing options for Vacation Bible School and Sunday School staffing.

Evangelism/Social Ministry/Parish Fellowship – Pastor Dennis reviewed current outreach projects. Pastor noted that Thrivent Grants and donations have allowed these projects to operate without utilizing any Congregational funds.

Property – Nathan Ryan updated the Council on the pew project, thanking those volunteers that helped finalize work after reupholster work was complete.

Stewardship/Finance - No report Worship & Music/Technology - Kristine Mader noted that the Committee will be working with Pastor

Dennis and PMA Dumler on final details for resuming in-person services. Mader noted that streaming (via website and Facebook) will continue and recommended that the ability to receive online offering should be researched and implemented as soon as possible.

Youth Groups - No report. Cemetery - No report. Pastor Dennis - Pastor Dennis noted that the bulk of his report was presented in New Business.

At 7:20 pm, it was moved, seconded, and passed that the meeting be adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

Next Executive meeting – June (date and time TBD)

Next Council meeting – Wednesday, June l7, 2020 at 5:15 pm

Respectfully recorded by Sheryl Krug, Church Council Recorder and submitted by Carol Fritz, Church Council Secretary

Standing Committee Reports

Adjournment

June 2020

The 10:30 Worship Services on June 14 and 28 will be broadcast on

KRSL (990 AM and 98.1 FM) and Nex-Tech Cable Channel 130.

Sunday Services are streamed live at www.stjohnrussell.com.

This outreach is made possible by various contributions.

St. John Lutheran 425 N. Main St.

Russell KS 67665

Phone: 785-483-5358 Email: [email protected] Website: stjohnrussell.com

FIND US ON FACEBOOK!

Pastor Roger Dennis 785-445-4140 (h); 785-445-8065 (c) [email protected]

John Dumler, PMA 785-483-1382 (c) [email protected]

Alex & Audrey Lofland, Youth & Family Ministry Coordinators 785-324-0203 (c) [email protected]

Shayla Peck, Bookkeeper [email protected]

Sheryl Krug, Administrative Assistant

Debora Kreutzer, Custodian

Church Council

President—Blaine Maier

Vice President—Andrea Krug Krauss

Treasurer—Judy Albrecht

Education—Kim Stoppel

Evangelism/Social Ministry/Parish

Fellowship—Mary Ulrich

Property—Nathan Ryan, Jim Dumler &

Richard Sieker

Stewardship/Finance—Andrea Krug Krauss

Worship/Music/Technology—Kristy Mader

Youth—Kameron Schneider

Cemetery—Gaylon Walter

Please submit address updates to the Church Office.

If you would like your address removed from the mailing list,

please let us know by phone, email or return mail.

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Russell, Kansas PERMIT NO. 11

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 1:30 pm

ADDRESS SERVICE

REQUESTED

council lifts suspension of in-person services · absent: jim dumler, kameron schneider, richard...

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