By now you’ve probably heard about the new guidelines released late last week by the CDC and the lifting of the mask mandate by the governor for fully vaccinated individuals. These announcements were a pleasant surprise for many of us, but I’ll admit that they caught me off-guard.
Throughout the pandemic the Church Session has endeavored to put guidelines in place that honor God and emphasize common-sense safety. We have followed guidelines and protocols from the CDC and PA Department of Health. I know this hasn’t always been popular but it is what we believe God would have us do in this situation.
The Church Session met again this week and made some adjustments to our in-person worship guidelines. After thoughtful, prayerful discussion, we will:
Open the N. Hanover St. doors for entry/exit in addition to alley door.
Move to every-other-pew seating; pews will be clearly marked.
Open the balcony for seating.
Begin limited congregational singing (responses and closing hymn), and use of hymnals and Bibles.
Resume after-worship fellowship time outside in front of the tower entrance and on the lawn (details below).
Because we are not checking everyone’s vaccination status, and because we still have a responsibility to protect the vulnerable (children under 12, those who cannot be vaccinated, and the immuno-compromised) we will continue to wear masks inside the church building for a while longer. The CDC has indicated that they will be releasing more situation-specific guidelines in the coming days. When and if specific guidelines for churches and houses of worship are released, the Session will examine and implement the recommendations.
In I Corinthians Paul writes, “All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other” (I Cor. 10-23-24). Paul is writing in the midst of controversy about eating food that has previously been sacrificed to pagan idols. Paul knows that those idols are powerless in the face of Israel’s God but he also realizes that his actions could be a stumbling block for those whose faith is not as strong. And so Paul is willing to not be a stumbling block for the spiritual health of the community.
It is now lawful, to borrow Paul’s imagery, not to wear a mask if you’re fully vaccinated, but the questions remain: Is it beneficial to others? Does it build up the individual or does it build up the Body of Christ as a whole? The pandemic response continues to evolve. Please continue to pray for the Session and our congregation as we make decisions that honor God and emphasize common-sense safety. Thank you for your support and patience.
On Sunday afternoon, our homebound members will be served Communion.
Sunday, May 30th, worship is at 10 AM,
continuing thru Labor Day Weekend.
As mentioned above, we will soon resume our much-missed Fellowship Time. It will be held after worship the 2nd and 4th Sundays of June, July & August. We will gather in the area outside the Tower Doors and in the lawn; seating will be available. If you'd like to help, please contact Ray Thomas, chairman of the Parish Life Committee, by phone at (717) 249-8322; or email WIOO@pa.net.
Evening Vesper Services are planned for this summer at the Meeting House Springs cemetery. Please mark your calendar for the 4th Sunday of June, July & August (7 PM); and September (6 PM). Dates are: June 4, July 25,
August 22, and September 26.
Events in the life of the church this week:
Wednesday, May 26, 7 PM: Bible Study (via Zoom)
Thursday, May 27, 2 PM: Faith Circle (at the church)
Please send your prayer requests and updates to Prayer Community leader Jamie Hoffman atjamiehoffman3540@gmail.com; or 717-648-6015; or to the church office.
Please update your church directory to reflect the new address of
Susan Meehan: 9 Truman Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.
A little girl became restless as the preacher's sermon dragged on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?"
Members of the Congregation, Ministers
The Rev. Anthony D. Lorenz, Pastor
The Rev. Jon A. Black, Pastor Emeritus
Debby Madden, Educator Emerita
Arthur Thompson, Organist; Ron Richcreek, Music Director
Avis Allen, Secretary; Chuck Adler, Sexton
Church Office Hours: Mon. & Wed., 9 AM-2 PM
Address: 2A N. Hanover St., Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 243-4612; E-mail: fpcarl@pa.net; Website: www.firstprescarlisle.org
