Suspending In-person Gatherings
ONLINE WORSHIP:
When: Sunday, March 15 at 9:15 a.m.
Where: Trinity Lutheran’s Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/tlcmsn
Dear Trinity Lutheran Church,
Out of an abundance of love for our neighbors and the members of our church family, we are suspending all gatherings in the church building and all church related events beginning today – Saturday, March 14. This suspension will include worship on Sunday, March 15 and will last through March 29. We will continue to communicate with you as things unfold.
As disciples of Christ, we have an important part to play in protecting the vulnerable and supporting the public health effort to save lives. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow, we are called to practice “social distancing” to slow the spread of the virus and to ensure our local healthcare systems will not be overwhelmed.
Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and the most loving thing we can do at this point is help to slow the spread of the virus.
It is a difficult decision to not be together in the ways we are used to, but I believe we can grow as a community even in moments like this. Even if we are physically distant, I pray God will help us find new ways to connect and care for each other. We are especially called to care for the sick, the isolated, and the vulnerable. I will be asking you to reach out to each other by phone, email, social media, and other means.
For now, I invite you to visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/tlcmsn. On Sunday at 9:15 a.m., we will be live-streaming an abbreviated worship service via Facebook Live.
I will also email out the text of my sermon later in the day. We will continue to share more information about how we can worship and be together in such times – including ways we can connect with those without internet.
Please join me in prayer:
Gracious God, you are our help and refuge. We ask for you to be close to us. Strengthen our community in new ways even as we are physically apart. Guide our leaders with your wisdom as they seek to contain the outbreak. Heal the sick and protect the vulnerable. We pray especially for your blessing on all health care workers and all who will risk their health to help others. Help us to be your beloved community in these anxious times. Help us to be part of your caring presence for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
Pastor Andy Twiton
Trinity Lutheran Church 