UPDATE TO MEMBERS - March 18, 2020

Christ tells us in Matthew 22:37-39: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment ." We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things, including that we may not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it. We trust also that Christ's gift of His Body and Blood for the remission of our sins, that He has ordained for our good, will not do us harm. We will continue the services of God's House.

"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Out of Christian love for our neighbor, the Board of Deacons has instituted the following:

► In addition to the 9 a.m. service, we will resume a second Sunday morning service at 11 a.m. and will continue with Wednesday 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. services. Communion will be offered at all services.

► Members are asked to disperse themselves among the services. In particular, members who wish to attend services with a smaller number of worshipers are encouraged to attend the Wednesday services instead of Sunday.

► Members should sit every other pew and otherwise allow personal space for others; the rows to be left vacant will be marked and rotated between services. The number of persons per communion table will be reduced. Offerings will be taken at the door rather than passing the offering plate.

► Please wash your hands regularly and take other reasonable hygiene precautions. If you feel ill or are uncomfortable gathering for worship, please contact Pastor to arrange for private communion.

As God continues to give us our daily bread, please also remember the church in your stewardship that we may provide those workers who serve us and their families with their daily bread, etc. If you are unable to attend services for any reason, please consider sending your weekly offerings to the church by mail or electronic giving.

Ultimately, whatever efforts we make, we are in God's hands, and we continue to trust in His mercy. Please contact your deacon, or Pastor Koester, with any questions or concerns. Additional updates will be sent by email and posted on the church web site.

Mark 0. Stern, Congregation Chairman

This feast is manna, wealth abounding Unto the poor, to weak ones power, To angels joy, to hell confounding, And life for me in death's dark hour. Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood Be for my soul the highest good!

TLH 315, st. 10.