5/16/21 Congregational Weekly Updates

/in , /by

Dear Members and Friends of HTLC,

Several updates to pass along to you:

  • This just in:  Congratulations go out to Rachel and Christopher Caldwell on the birth of a baby girl this afternoon!  Abigail Frances Caldwell entered this world at 8 lbs. 3 oz. and 20 inches long.  We also celebrate with new grandparents, Chris and Anna Caldwell, great-grandfather, Bill Christmas, proud uncle Connor Caldwell, great-uncle and great-aunt Andy and Sharon Christmas, and second cousin Bill Christmas .

  • A key-less lock, similar to our other door locks, was installed this afternoon on the Sacristy entrance door.  In case you are wondering, this is the door that welcomes the ramp entrance of the church.  The code for this door is the same as all our other programmable locks.  In the event the front door lock fails to work at any time, you now have an option to enter the sanctuary.

  • Contrary to what is listed in Sunday’s email bulletin under the Calendar For This Week section, we DO have worship at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday (the 8:45 a.m. service is listed but the 11:00 a.m. service was accidentally omitted.)

  • At our meeting this past Monday evening, the Church Council decided that beginning this Sunday, May 16, we will be returning to singing all parts of the liturgy, with the exception of full hymns.  Also, all church affiliated groups (LMM, WELCA, etc.) and non-church affiliated groups that use our facilities (Kiwanis, etc.) are permitted to host meals in our Fellowship Hall, as long as they follow our revised COVID Guidelines concerning the handling of food:
    • Limited number of cooks in the kitchen.
    • Meals may not be self-serve, buffet style.
    • Use dedicated servers.
    • Use disposable plates, cups, utensils.
    • Continue maintaining 6 feet while dining.

  • Speaking of Sunday’s worship services, even though Governor McMaster has lifted the wearing of masks in our state schools, and I am reading over the internet, as I write these words that the C.D.C. has now lifted the wearing of masks in most public places, we will be wearing masks in worship this Sunday.  The Church Council will have a Called Council meeting on Monday evening (via Zoom) to discuss this latest development and whether this decision may impact the safety of our congregation as we move forward to whatever may be our next phrase of changes to our worship.

  • I am aware that the shortage of gas situation has caused challenges for many.  Hopefully you have enough fuel to do the things you must do this week.  But if you find yourself a little short and unable to attend Sunday worship, don’t forget you always have the opportunity to join us for worship via the internet.

  • Sunday, I will be preaching on our First Reading from Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 as we explore the theme, “Making Good Decisions.”  Some thoughts to ponder:
    • How did Judas Iscariot die?  Are you sure?
    • Check out Matthew 27:1-10 and Acts 1:18 to hear the two accounts of his death.
    • Who took the place of Judas as one of the 12 apostles?
    • How was he chosen?
    • What does this methodology say to the way we make decisions on important matters in our life?
    • We will explore the biblical “P-A-T” method for making decisions.

 

See you Sunday,

Pastor Fischer