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In-Person Service Announcement

Zion Lutheran Church, Seymour, Indiana

Greetings in the name of our Good Shepherd Who makes us lie down in green pastures, Who leads us beside the still waters, Who feeds us on His Word and Sacraments!

Beginning, Sunday, May 10, Zion will resume in-person services, but with a modified schedule and limited attendance at each service. Please note, however, that the 8 AM Sunday morning service will continue to be live streamed on Facebook and archived for viewing later for those whose movements are still restricted by the current guidelines.

The following schedule will be observed for at least two weeks (Sunday May 12 – Wednesday, May 20):

Sundays at 8:00am, 9:15am, and 10:30am
Wednesdays at 6:00pm

Social distancing will be practiced at each of these services in the following manner:

A maximum of 75 people will be allowed at each of the Sunday services.
Each of the Sunday services will be divided into two groups: 50 people in the sanctuary; 25 people in the fellowship hall.
The fellowship hall will not be used on Wednesday evening, May 13.
Since May 20^th is the Eve of the Ascension of Our Lord, a special service, the fellowship hall will be used.
Individuals who are 65 and over or who have an underlying at-risk health condition are encouraged to stay at home and watch services online. Those who choose to come to worship on Sunday will worship in the fellowship hall.
Individuals who are under 65 will worship in the sanctuary.
Each individual or family group will practice social distancing of at least 6 feet.

Here are a couple of notes regarding the Divine Service & Communion:

Those in the fellowship hall will view the livestream of the service from the sanctuary.
One pastor will serve in the sanctuary for the entire service; the other pastor will serve in the fellowship hall for the entire service.
Communion will be celebrated at each of the services.
The livestream will stop in the fellowship hall after the prayers (at the beginning of the Service of the Sacrament).
Each pastor will preside over the celebration of the Sacrament: one in the sanctuary, the other in the fellowship hall.
Each family group will approach the altar and commune together.

When you arrive for the 9:15am or 10:30am Sunday service, please remain in your car until the usher invites you into the building once the building has been prepped following the previous service. Those worshiping in the sanctuary will park in the north parking lot; those worshiping in the fellowship hall will park in the south parking lot.

Once inside the building, please pay careful attention to the usher’s instructions about picking up your bulletin and where you will sit. Please sit in the pew that the usher directs you to sit in. Different pews will be designated for use during each of the three Sunday services.

Families with children are encouraged to bring their own “quiet bags.” For sanitary reasons, none will be available in the narthex. Please note, too, that, for the same reasons, the nursery will be closed.

The offering will not be received in the normal way. Instead, the offering plates will be available at the entry.

At this time, there will be no in-person Sunday School or Bible classes held on Sunday morning. The Sunday morning Zoom Bible class will be held at 11:30am or as soon as the pastors can start the session following the 10:30am service. If you would like to join that class, please call the church office and you will be added to the email distribution list for that class. An email will go out on Saturday with information on how to join.

We are taking every precaution to follow state board of health protocols. We are also asking that you do your part:

Worship in the fellowship hall if you are 65+ or at higher risk.
Stay at home if you feel ill or are running a temperature.
Greet each other from a distance without contact.
Follow directions from the pastor regarding distribution of the Sacrament.
Consider wearing a mask when you enter the building.
Use the restrooms before you come to church. We are encouraging restroom use at Zion only in cases of emergency to minimize sanitizing between services.
Avoid contact of high touch surfaces as much as possible.

Please note that you must reserve a time for you and your family online through Sign-Up Genius (click here) or by calling the church office.

Please watch your email or check the church website for any potential changes that may be made for services beginning May 24^th or later. Your lay ministers and pastors remain committed to returning to “normal” services as soon as possible while also ensuring the safety of our community and observing all reasonable state guidelines.

If you have any questions, please contact either of us! We look forward to seeing you on Sunday and rejoicing in our Good Shepherd Jesus!

Peace in Christ,

Pastors Akey & Stuckwisch