Emmanuel Lutheran Church

December 2020

As I write this article, it is safe to say that I don’t know what the coming weeks will bring. Normally we would be heading into the Advent season with expectations of lighting the Advent wreath As I write this article, it is safe to say that I don’t know what the coming weeks will bring. Normally we would be heading into the Advent season with expectations of lighting the Advent wreath each week, of decorating the sanctuary, of a Christmas Cantata and Christmas Eve services. But nothing about this year has been “normal” has it?

Will the spike in Covid community spread cause us to cancel in person worship for the safety of our members? What will Advent look like if that is the case? Will we miss out on Christmas Eve worship just like Easter? This was all supposed to be over after the election - at least that is what I was told. J

At the time of this writing, we are still planning on having in-person worship. Weekly services will be posted on YouTube for viewing, as we have been doing. But what about Christmas Eve? As of this writing, there are still plans to have Christmas Eve worship. You may have to call ahead to reserve a service time and number attending so we can seat safely, but we are still planning for Christmas Eve worship.

In the event that weekly Advent services and Christmas Eve worship have to be cancelled to keep our members safe, I will do everything that I can to provide you with an at home worship experience that maintains the meaning and wonder of these services.

Things can change on a dime these days, so please listen carefully to any One Call from the church as this is our best method of keeping you informed.

Advent is a time of anticipation as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We remember his coming as a baby in a manger and we look forward to his coming again as is promised.

Our world is topsy-turvy right now. Our routines have been interrupted. Changes have been thrust upon us that we weren’t ready for. In the midst of this “chaos” we are reminded that we are an Advent people. We are a people living and enduring this time with great hope and not despair. We are a people who call out in the midst of trying times “come, Lord Jesus, come!”

No matter what course is taken in the coming weeks, let us prepare our hearts always to receive the King! He is Coming! He is Coming indeed!

Christmas blessings,
Pastor Alan each week, of decorating the sanctuary, of a Christmas Cantata and Christmas Eve services. But nothing about this year has been “normal” has it?

Will the spike in Covid community spread cause us to cancel in person worship for the safety of our members? What will Advent look like if that is the case? Will we miss out on Christmas Eve worship just like Easter? This was all supposed to be over after the election - at least that is what I was told. J

At the time of this writing, we are still planning on having in-person worship. Weekly services will be posted on YouTube for viewing, as we have been doing. But what about Christmas Eve? As of this writing, there are still plans to have Christmas Eve worship. You may have to call ahead to reserve a service time and number attending so we can seat safely, but we are still planning for Christmas Eve worship.

In the event that weekly Advent services and Christmas Eve worship have to be cancelled to keep our members safe, I will do everything that I can to provide you with an at home worship experience that maintains the meaning and wonder of these services.

Things can change on a dime these days, so please listen carefully to any One Call from the church as this is our best method of keeping you informed.

Advent is a time of anticipation as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We remember his coming as a baby in a manger and we look forward to his coming again as is promised.

Our world is topsy-turvy right now. Our routines have been interrupted. Changes have been thrust upon us that we weren’t ready for. In the midst of this “chaos” we are reminded that we are an Advent people. We are a people living and enduring this time with great hope and not despair. We are a people who call out in the midst of trying times “come, Lord Jesus, come!”

No matter what course is taken in the coming weeks, let us prepare our hearts always to receive the King! He is Coming! He is Coming indeed!

Christmas blessings,
Pastor Alan