Tag: Worship

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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.

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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

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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.

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Inspiration on Demand – We’re on YouTube

Have you visited The Good Shepherd’s channel on YouTube? We’ve got a growing collection of videos to inspire you, with more added every week.

Here’s just some of what you’ll find:

  • Sunday morning’s worship service – and an archive of our previous services, too.
  • A library of more than three dozen hymns, solos, virtual choir anthems, bell performances and other musical selections.
  • Hundreds of episodes of Daily Prayer, our nationally recognized daily devotional.
  • And more!

Be inspired!

While you’re there, be sure to click on the “Subscribe” button and the 🔔 icon to be notified every time we post a new video.

Take Me There
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Midweek Worship during Lent

Lent Midweek Worship

Throughout the season of Lent, The Good Shepherd will be holding joint midweek worship services on Zoom with our friends at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Eastmont.

Wednesdays @ 7 pm

Join us for a special Lenten presentation of Daily Prayer, cohosted by Pastor Linda Theophilus and featuring a familiar sung version of Psalm 141 from the LBW Evening Prayer service. Hang around after the episode of Daily Prayer for a thought-provoking conversation about the daily readings, and a time of fellowship with our friends and neighbors.

It’s easy to join us – just use the normal Sunday Zoom link and phone number, or click below.

Wednesdays in Lent, February 24 – March 24, 2021.

Let’s Pray…
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Get Your Ashes to Go

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 17 is Ash Wednesday. We are offering a safe, socially-distanced drive-thru distribution of the ashes to help you mark the beginning of Lent.

Ashes to Go will be offered from 12:00 – 1:00 pm in the church parking lot:

  • As you enter, stay to the left and turn around in our circle – you’ll approach with your driver’s side window toward the building. It’ll feel like you’re driving on the wrong side, but you’re not.
  • For your safety and the pastor’s, masks are required for all occupants of the vehicle. If you’re unmasked the pastor will offer you a blessing from a distance, but you will not be able to receive ashes.
  • Ashes will be imposed with a single-use cotton swab, one per person.
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Don’t miss it! Stream “Christmas at The Good Shepherd” on YouTube

Christmas at The Good Shepherd

“Wonderful!” | “Beautiful!” | “Awesome!” | “Nothing short of spectacular!” | “Filled with Gospel!”

Our Christmas worship service is getting rave reviews! Take a few minutes during these twelve days of Christmas to celebrate the beauty and mystery of the Incarnation.

Featuring the gifts of Liz Smith, Bob Rossetti, Matt O’Donnell, Leigh Pogue, Andrew Imblum, Matthew Walley, Gretchen Wiesner, Mary K. Walley, Pastor Bob and The Good Shepherd Virtual Choir, this worship service will move you and inspire you.

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Pastor Bob on vacation

Pastor Bob here – I’m taking some vacation time in the weeks after Christmas. We’ve got some great worship lined up for you on the two Sundays I’ll be out. If you’re in need of emergency pastoral care, just give the church office a call – I’m doing a covid staycation at home, and am still here if you need me.

Wishing you all a joyous new year!

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Worship with us this Christmas!

Join us this Christmas Eve for a beautiful candlelight worship – right from your own home! It’s easy and you don’t even need a computer or a smartphone.

You can join us live at 7:30 pm using the usual instructions for our Sunday morning worship, which can be found here.

And if your family likes a midnight mass or church on Christmas morning, our service will be available for you to watch and rewatch any time on YouTube.

Thanks to all of our talented worship leaders and musicians… we can’t wait to share this most special service with you!

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Are you having a blue Christmas? Here are eight online services to help you through the holidays.

The world around you insists “it’s the most wonderful time of the year!” You try to smile politely, but inside your feelings of sadness, loss and loneliness seem to get worse around Christmas. You steel yourself up to “have a blue Christmas.”

If this is painfully familiar, we invite you to one of eight “Blue Christmas” or “Longest Night” services being offered by congregations around our synod. These services are intended to give those grieving a safe place to gather in God’s presence to receive comfort and encouragement during what can be a difficult season.

Especially convenient, you don’t even need to leave your home to attend.

If you’re struggling to put on a brave face this Christmas, why not let down your mask for a little while among people who understand what you’re going through, and hear the good news once again that Jesus is with you right where you are?