From the Pastor - April 30
Greetings Friends at Ebenezer,
As we prepare this Sunday (May 2) to resume limited, in-person liturgy, here's what you need to know to make this a safe, spiritually nourishing experience. And a special thank you to all our volunteers who are making this possible! Remember: at least at first, this experience will be very different than what we were accustomed to before the pandemic. But it can still be a great experience!
Sunday Schedule:
10:00 a.m. In-person liturgy (Sanctuary)
Worship video becomes available
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Communion Pick-up (Sanctuary)
11:30 a.m. - Fellowship and Communion (online)
Before attending in person:
Consider if you're ready. We are encouraging those not yet two weeks beyond their final vaccine dosage to consider delaying attendance. The sermon, readings, prayers, and music will be the same, online or in-person.
Sign up to attend. Visit www.ebenezerchurch.org/worship-inperson-rsvp and fill out the form to reserve a spot. If the sign up exceeds capacity, we'll contact you Saturday afternoon if your attendance plan needs to change. If you're able, print and fill out the pre-screening form on the RSVP page and bring it with you (only one per household is needed). This will expedite your arrival procedures.
Been travelling? Just a reminder that if you're not fully vaccinated and have visited another state on Chicago's quarantine list, you may need to delay attendance.
Bring your mask. A well-fitting mask is required at all times for all attendees.
When you arrive:
Enter only via the front doors or lift.
Stop at the ushers table. An usher will collect your form or provide you with one, take your temperature, and guide you to an open seating area.
Get comfortable. To maintain social distance, please do not leave your seat except to use the restroom or for other immediate needs. You can greet others and socialize after the liturgy in the courtyard, if you wish.
There's no bulletin for a reason. It's hard for most of us to avoid singing and unison speaking in worship! But for now, we must avoid these things.
Gesture peace from a distance. Remember, we're staying at our seats for the time being.
As you depart:
Wait for the usher, please. The ushers will dismiss you to avoid congregating indoors.
Communion awaits you. Individually packaged communion elements are available in the narthex as you depart. Please feel free to take more to deliver to others.
Weather permitting, the courtyard is open. If you'd like to have a conversation with or greet others, please do so in the courtyard.
Remember: Grace abounds! We're all learning to do new things in new ways, and no doubt, we will learn and grow as we go. Let's remember to give each other space: Physical space, and space for grace. Loving reminders to keep masks up, and spaces distanced, are welcome.
I'm looking forward to the addition of this new opportunity to be together in a different way. Christ has been with us all along, and will continue to bless you at home or at the church.
In Peace,
Pastor Michael Fick