In this post:
Bulletins for September and October
Taking Faith Home Handouts and October
Worship on Sunday
Drive Through Communion
Clergy Care
Immerse
The Bulletin for
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The ‘Taking Faith Home’ Handout for
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Sunday Service, Sept 20th
I am delighted to be able to state that percentage of positive tests for COVID-19 are still on a downward trend for Wharton County. You can see current trends for Wharton and surrounding counties HERE.
We will offer in-person worship again this Sunday, Sept 20th. Communion will be offered at the end of the service after the radio broadcast is ended. Drive through-communion is offered on Monday, Sept 21st, with signup information below.
To help us plan for appropriate seating and other logistics, please use the link below to register for attending service this Sunday. So you are aware, we will probably ask for this information every week to be sure we can accommodate everyone.
PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO REGISTER FOR ATTENDING SERVICE THIS SUNDAY.
As before, we strongly encourage anyone who is at-risk to participate in the service remotely. At risk include those who are 65 or older, especially those with cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Immunocompromised systems, Obesity, serious heart conditions, sickle cell disease, or type 2 diabetes. For a complete list, please see this page from the CDC.
Please read the above point again, and honestly assess if you are described in the above. While we reopen, the elders and pastor encourage in the strongest possible language for at risk individuals as described above to continue to participate in the service over the radio.
If you are badly missing the in-person gathering for worship and feel like you simply need to be present, then please, come. And in the spirit of Christian love we ask that we all strive to maintain the hygiene protocols to protect our fellow Christians and allow each of us to gather in person for worship.
The hygiene protocols are simply what we have heard before. Please maintain physical distance between family groups, avoid sharing objects, wash your hands before and after the service, and wear a mask while entering and exiting, and most especially during singing and responses.
For those who stay at home, please know you have our love, and we continue to uplift you before the throne of God in our prayers. Feel free to reach out to any of us with questions, concerns, or prayer requests.
Pastor R.W. Lutjens 979-488-4560
Elders
Ervin Zahn 979-533-0919
Weldon Boerger 979-488-1385
Ron Boerger 979-533-0553
Earl Hudson 361-920-1350
Congregational President
Philip Wuthrich 979-533-3138
Drive Through Communion Available
In the meantime, I would like to offer ‘Drive Through Communion’ again. Communion will be available this Monday, Sept 21st
I ask that you again sign up using the link below
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP FOR DRIVE THROUGH COMMUNION ON MONDAY, SEPT 21st
The link will take you to a site that shows all the available times. Click the ‘Sign up’ to the right of your preferred time slot, then ‘Submit and Sign up’ at the bottom of the page. Fill out your name, the number of people taking communion, and a phone number in case Pastor needs to reach you – then ‘Sign Up Now’ at the bottom of the page. That’s it!
We will use a short order of service. You can download and print your own copy HERE. If needed, a copy will be provided for you when you arrive.
A few things to remember:
- Make sure you sign up using the button below!
- Please drive in from the back of the entrance, so the driver’s side is closest to the church doors.
- Please stay in the car. Pastor Lutjens will bring everything to you.
- Do roll down your window so we can hear each other!
If you have specific concerns, or would like individual confession and absolution, please contact me directly on my cell phone: 979-488-4560
Clergy Care
I recently took my car to the mechanic. I actually don’t know very much about cars, I don’t have the tools to work on them, and don’t even know where to begin most of the time. I have a good mechanic who I trust, and I rely on his expertise to take care of my car and keep it running.
I remember when I taught 7th graders and I said something about my car knowledge to my class and one of my students looked at me in amazement and said, “You’re a male, in Texas, and you don’t know anything about cars?” I laughed at the shocked look on her face and explained that there was no shame in getting help when you couldn’t do it yourself.
I’ve also got a three pound bit of jelly between my ears that needs care and tune-ups. I have many tools to work in it, and I have a good counselor who I trust to assist me as my mental mechanic.
I’ve spoken to the congregation in sermons and Bible studies before that I have struggled with depression and mental health issues for many years. Last week I shared at the end of the church service that I was particularly struggling. After consulting with my counselor, the elders, and a few other trusted leaders of the church, we have agreed that I will take some time to care for my mental health.
As part of this, I will be away from the church from Friday, Sept 25th through Tues, Oct 20th. During this time, Rev. David Cecil has agreed to serve as clergy for worship services each Sunday.
I will be back for services on Oct 25th. In the meantime, I ask your prayers for rest and healing. I also encourage you to take stock of your own mental health, and make sure you are caring for yourself and each other.
If you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to give myself or the elders a call.
IMMERSE
As part of our own exposure to God’s Word, we are continuing to read Immerse: Messiah again. This will allow us to read through the entire New Testament in 16 weeks, with an average of 30 pages a week.
This week our discussion will cover pages 257-285 our books. This will covers the first part of the Gospel of Mark. We will then meet on Monday evenings at 7:00pm via video chat and phone for our discussions of the readings.
Anyone is still invited to participate with us. If you need a new copy of the book, please reach out to me, as I have several extra copies in my office.
For those participating, there are lots of resources available here: https://www.tyndale.com/sites/immersebible/messiah-resources/ , including an audio recording of the readings, if you prefer to listen.
Everyone is welcome to send an email to me at any time during the week with any questions, concerns, or insights you find. I can either answer them or bring them up during a weekly meeting.
For our video chat, here’s the information from the software we’re using for this:
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://www.gotomeet.me/StJohns-Wharton
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (571) 317-3112
Access Code: 841-954-213
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/841954213
If you use the computer, tablet, smartphone, you’ll be able to see me and anyone else using a webcam. You *don’t* have to use a webcam if you don’t want to. If you prefer to just call in, use the phone number and access code.