Tag: Easter

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Announcements

Please Note: Update to Easter Worship Plan

As one may have expected, we will need to make some adjustments to our worship plans for Sunday, April 4th, Easter Sunday.  We had previously announced that we intended to hold two worship services on Easter Sunday in the sanctuary, for those who are fully vaccinated and for a small number of those not fully vaccinated.  However, in light of the recent COVID trends in Allegheny County and the fact that we have moved into the red “very high risk” category, the Council has had to revisit our previously announced plan.  Our current COVID Policy states that in the event Allegheny County is in the red category, all in-person events will be suspended.  However, due to the recency of this change in status for the County and the in light of the number of people in our congregation who are already fully vaccinated, the Council has opted to make the following exception to the COVID Policy for Easter Sunday only and announce the following changes to the Easter worship opportunities:

  • One Worship Service including Holy Communion will be held at 10:30 am for anyone who is fully vaccinated*.
  • The Worship Service will be live streamed for all others on You Tube and via Zoom at 10:30 am and will be posted at goodshepherdlife.org
  • Parking Lot Communion from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm- Holy Communion will be made available in the Good Shepherd parking lot for anyone who is interested – between the hours of noon and 2:00pm.  COVID vaccinations are not required to participate in parking lot communion.  We will continue to observe good practices of mask-wearing, social distancing and hand sanitizing in the distribution and receiving of Holy Communion.

Anyone who is fully vaccinated and interested in attending the 10:30 Worship Service on Easter Sunday, in person, will still need to wear face masks and observe appropriate social distancing.   Pews will be marked to aid in the seating with distance.  Entrance to the sanctuary will be from the narthex and exit will be out of the door near the library.  Windows on both sides will be open to provide safer air flow. 

Pre-registration is required to attend the worship service in person.  In order to register, please contact Donna Wenger in the church office either by phone or via email – no later than 3:00pm on Thursday, April 1, 2021.  You will need to provide information regarding the number of people in your party and the information about the dates that each in your party received vaccination(s).

We are sorry that we’ve needed to make a change to our original plan but we believe this is the most appropriate response in light of the current trends.  We are continuing to act with caution and care for our members and our community in establishing precautions to ensure safety for all.  The Council is also preparing to revisit the current policy on COVID protocols as it relates to worship participation and the current positive trending in vaccination statistics to determine the appropriate way forward for worshipping in the future.

* Fully vaccinated – is defined as being 2 weeks after having received the \second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 1 dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Categories
Announcements

Holy Week and Easter schedule

We are pleased to announce the following services to make your Holy Week and Easter a profound and moving experience this year:

Palm Sunday

  • Worship with us online using Zoom or YouTube!
  • Special “Readers Theatre” presentation of the Passion Gospel by members of The Good Shepherd.
  • Special music by the church musicians.

Holy Week

Maundy Thursday

  • A special service will be offered on our YouTube channel – you can view at any time at your convenience.
  • Gather a some water and a towel before so you can participate in the washing portion of the service.

Good Friday

  • The rostered leaders of the Synod Council have prepared a service of readings and preaching based on the Passion According to John. Pastor Bob will read the seven readings from scripture.
  • We’ll view the service together at 7:00 pm using our regular Zoom link. Or you can view the service any time on the Synod’s YouTube channel.

Easter

Easter Sunday

Plans have changed…

Please note that due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in our county, we have revised this plan since it was first posted.

  • We are planning for two services: 9:00 and 10:30.
  • We are planning a single service at 10:30.
  • If you have been fully vaccinated (two weeks have passed since your final dose), you may attend in person – please register with the office.
  • If you have not been fully vaccinated, you may request to attend – up to 25 at each service will be permitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • The service will be livestreamed as always using our normal Zoom and YouTube links for any who are unable to join us in person.
  • Lots of special music has been prepared by our musicians!
  • Holy Communion will be offered in the sanctuary for those who can attend the service in person, and to everyone in a drive-through distribution from noon to 2:00 in the church parking lot.
  • Please note that case numbers in Allegheny County are currently rising. It is possible that they could reach levels where our COVID-19 policy no longer permits in-person gatherings indoors. If that occurs, we will be in touch with anyone who has registered, and will announce alternative plans.

The Second Sunday of Easter

Categories
Announcements

Worship Opportunities Abound

Lost track of the ways to worship at The Good Shepherd this spring? Here’s a quick rundown:

Sunday Mornings

As of late February, we aren’t yet holding services in person. (Visit our COVID-19 Information Center at goodshepherdlife.org/covid for the current status.)

  • Join our service interactively using the Zoom app on your Mac, PC or smartphone. It’s as easy as clicking the link on our Worship page.
  • You can phone in from your any telephone by calling 1-929-436-2866. Enter the code 266 831 067 when you’re prompted. Long distance rates may apply.
  • You can watch the service live or any time later on our YouTube channel.

Wednesdays in Lent

We’re offering a joint Zoom service with Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Eastmont each Wednesday in Lent. Use the instructions above to join by phone or using the Zoom app. (You can watch the video on YouTube if you prefer, but you won’t be able to participate in the discussion and fellowship time that way.)

Holy Week and Easter

COVID-19 cases are still higher now than they were at the peak of last summer’s initial outbreak – but they are trending in the right direction. We are hopeful that if the trends continue it might be possible to hold some form of in-person services during Holy Week and Easter, but it is too early to tell.

Based on the extremely positive feedback we’ve received about our Christmas Eve service, we’re confident that we’ll be able to make these important services powerful and meaningful no matter whether they’re in-person, online only or available both ways.

Keep an eye on our website for news. We’ll also use mailings, phone notifications and email to keep you in the loop.

Every Day

Our nationally-recognized devotional program Daily Prayer is available on YouTube and your favorite podcasting app. Join us each day for 10-15 minutes of scripture, prayer and encouragement in the midst of a chaotic world.