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Important Message from Low's:

Dear Low's Church Family, At the Low's Council meeting this past Sunday the decision was made to begin indoor, in-person worship in the Low's sanctuary with social distancing and safety guidelines. I know many of you have enjoyed the outdoor worship experience. I also realize others have wanted to get back into the sanctuary, especially as the days get hotter. I am aware that not everyone will feel comfortable or safe moving back indoors. Because of this, we will continue to post our worship on Facebook and Youtube. We may hold more outdoor worship services in the future.

I am sending the guidelines below. Please observe them for the safety of everyone, and so we can continue to worship inside. If you or anyone you have come into contact with has contracted COVID-19, or if you just feel unwell, please refrain from coming to Sunday worship. Also, we will need to know of anyone who contracts COVID-19 following worship at Low's so we can contact all who were present in order that they can be tested and/or observe quarantine. I pray we can all exercise patience and concern for the other person as we restart indoor worship. The prayers of all are welcome. Grace and peace in Christ's name to you all, Pastor John Mark

Guidelines for resuming in-person indoor worship at Low’s Lutheran Church beginning July 5

At our Low’s Council meeting on June 28 the decision was made to resume in-person indoor worship in the sanctuary. We have been blessed with great weather during the month of June for our outdoor worship services, and are grateful for Shannon and his crew, David and Corky, and Jeff and Sandy for making this possible. Due to largely to the heat, the decision was made to go back inside. We may do outdoor worship again in the future.

Many of you are looking forward to resuming in-person worship services beginning July 5. Some of you, I know, would have preferred we maintained outdoor worship during the summer. As we do come back together again, it’s important to note that it won’t be the same as it was before this pandemic.

• Service will begin at 11:00. We will try to keep worship to no more than 45 minutes, as we have during our drive-in worship time.

• There will be no Sunday school classes meeting at the church at this time.

• Masks will be required due to the Governor’s recent order, and some will be available before worship if you do not have one. If you are unable to wear a mask due to claustrophobia or breathing issues please let a greeter, usher, or pastor know and we will try to accommodate you.

• Please enter the church through the main sanctuary entrance facing Highway 61. There will be antibacterial hand wash and hand wipes available—please use them upon entering the sanctuary. There will be masks available if you fail to bring one with you. Pick up your worship folder (everything necessary for the worship service will be printed there—no need to use a hymnal). Then proceed immediately into the sanctuary. Please do not sit in one of the marked pews (every other pew will be vacant) and maintain at least 6 feet between you and the next person. You may sit together as a family unit or a couple, but please maintain 6 feet between you and another group. Please don’t be disappointed if your favorite pew isn’t available. We are all navigating unfamiliar territory and we pray everyone can exercise patience and a spirit of good will.

*Please maintain 12 feet of distance between you and those who are offering special music (David and Corky will be singing some anthems during these worship services, when possible—others may as well). Please remember--singing is the best conveyor of the coronavirus.

• Nursery or children’s time will not be offered.

• The upstairs and downstairs portions of the education building and the playground will be off limits, except for the restrooms in the education building (please only one person in a restroom at a time unless assisting a young child). You may also check your boxes in the education building. Offering counters and church staff may also use the education building.

• Passing of the Peace, offering and congregation singing will be different. There will be no Sharing of the Peace, and no congregational singing for now. Your offering may be placed in the plates near each entrance to the sanctuary (just inside the inner doors leading into the sanctuary).

*Holy Communion will be celebrated the first and third Sundays for now. There will be prepackaged grape juice and cracker packets available as you enter the sanctuary. Please pick one up and take it with you to your pew. We will celebrate Communion together with the packets during worship—please don’t take them home for a snack!

• At the close of worship exit the building through the side doors at the back of the sanctuary--the doors facing out toward the education building. Once outside, you may socialize with members of your church family, but please make every effort to maintain proper social distancing, and please wear a mask.

*If you are feeling ill, have been around someone who has been ill, or are simply not comfortable returning to church, please stay home. We plan to live stream the services on our YouTube channel and post on Facebook, as well as communicate important announcements via email and our Facebook page (and our telephone messaging system for urgent and important messages).

*In the event of a funeral in the sanctuary we may need to move our Sunday worship service to the fellowship hall. We are trying to allow for 5 days between events in the sanctuary to give the virus time to die off. We want to reduce the risk to our custodian and staff.

*Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience as we take this first step toward returning to “normal.” If you require any assistance please don’t hesitate to ask the pastor or ushers/greeters.

God's peace be with you, Pastor John Mark

SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE - Social Media is not only active but thriving for Low's. Since the COVID-19 shutdowns, Low's has been able to Livestream our services on Facebook. We have been able to upload the services onto YouTube after we've recorded it each week. Facebook, YouTube, and Google My Business are making it possible to reach a larger community than we have ever reached before. I would like to thank Jeff Porterfield, Corky, and David Greeson and Pastor John Mark for helping to ensure that we could continue to bring services to the congregation even when it was impossible to meet in person. I would also like to thank Vicki Troxler for her help getting the Livestream up while we are in the middle of uncharted territory. Many of you may notice that the calendar of events has birthdays listed on the website. Since many of the events have been put on hold, events will be listed as they get closer to time while we await the various phases of rejoining our worship service together. While we are waiting for our services to resume in the sanctuary, I am going to Livestream as much as I can. This has become an important part of communicating within our church and the outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming. I want to say thank you to each and every one of you who tunes in sends your tithing in, and keeps the church-going. It means the world. Continue to pray and lift each other up during these tense times. Blessings to all, Christy.

Welcome to Low's Lutheran

God's Work. Our Hands.

Join us for Worship

Our YouTube Channel is up! To see this Sunday's service click below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5chQ03wwXQ0

Congregational News
A Word on Worship: At our May meeting Low’s Council made the decision to hold drive-in worship beginning Sunday, June 7, at 11:00 am. Members, friends, and visitors are encouraged to park in the church lot, and either remain in your automobiles or bring a lawn chair and sit in front of your car. Everyone is encouraged to keep a space between parked cards and to observe social distancing. Holy Communion will be observed—please bring your own grape juice/wine and bread/crackers. There will be a sound system and platform for worship leaders and we hope everyone will be able to hear. A bulletin will be handed out and an offering taken. You are encouraged to bring canned and non-perishable food items and toiletries for local ministries—SAFE, Salvation Army, and Allied Churches. A container will be placed outside for food and toiletry items. Worship will continue to be recorded so that those unable to be present may view the service.

Making the decision to move from online worship to drive-in worship (as opposed to moving to indoor worship) required careful consideration and discussion on the part of Low’s Council. Since our NC Lutheran Synod has encouraged congregations to follow state and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19, a number of measures would have to be followed inside the sanctuary to enable us to worship safely. The congregation would need to be encouraged to wear masks, there could be no congregational singing (a very effective way to spread the virus), and those present would need to be spaced at least 6 feet apart. Later this summer we will be able to move back into the sanctuary for worship but as of now most major denominations are not recommending a resumption of indoor worship. Some churches have made the decision to move back into their sanctuaries, and this is a decision that needs to be made according to the individual congregation’s situation. In some denominations—not ours—the bishop can require congregations to adhere to certain restrictions. In our case the Bishop and Synod Council (the governing body of the NC Lutheran Synod, elected at our annual assembly) make recommendations but they are not binding. But given the current state and denominational recommendations, there are liability issues since Low’s (and most congregations) are not covered for a pandemic situation like today’s.

While legally we could resume worship inside, it is not the best way to show love for our neighbor. While it is commonly assumed that refraining from indoor worship is done out of fear, it is rather done out of love, love for those who are at risk from the current pandemic. St. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:3—4, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Of course, this doesn’t mean that those who want to worship inside are simply being selfish. Rather, the Apostle is saying that we are all to exercise humility on behalf of the neighbor, allowing for some inconvenience on our part if it helps keep our neighbor safe and well. We take the example of Jesus, who sacrificed himself for our benefit, even though we were undeserving sinners.
Certainly we miss worshiping in our sanctuary and having fellowship with one another as before coronavirus. Some of you, I know, are ready to resume worship inside. I also know others are not comfortable even attending a drive-in service. Whatever your personal situation and your preferences, please know the decision to begin the drive-in service is done to keep others safe, especially our more mature members and those who have compromised health. Thanks to all of you for your understanding and patience as we navigate this strange time.

THANKS - Again, “thank you” to those who helped with and/or participated in last Sunday’s worship. May the Peace of Christ be with you always. Pastor John Mark.

SINGING - a question came up about singing. Part of the reason for being outside is so we can sing. But please remember that singing is one of the best transmitters of coronavirus and that it is recommended you stay 12 feet apart when singing (the usual recommendation is 6 feet apart for normal conversation).

PHOTOS WANTED - Our social media presence has been extremely active. In light of the COVID 19 issues, as many of you know, we've been Livestreaming our services on Facebook and later posting them on YouTube. I would love to get some photos of folks that don't mind sharing their pics of what many of you have been doing in the times of isolation. If any of you have pictures from the drive in worship services that you would like to share, please email them to me at: christyyjohnson@gmail.com. I am beyond grateful to all of you for allowing me to share your worship experiences with you and the surrounding community. God's peace to each of you and thanks in advance for sharing your lives. Christy

Upcoming Events 2020

CELEBRATION - In 2021 Low’s will celebrate 250 years of ministry. We are looking at ways to celebrate this milestone in the story of Low’s, and will need your help in the months ahead. Among the needs will be photos and memorabilia from Low’s early days, and folks to help publicize and organize events. Please consider how you can help Low’s mark this important anniversary.

BULLETIN DEADLINE is Wednesday by 5:00 p.m. Please call Kathy Fries at 336-706-3965 with any announcements. Thank you.

FOOD PANTRY - Donations may be made at any time. Just bring in and place in the box located in the Narthex. Your Social Ministry Committee thanks you for your participation in this community outreach ministry to the most vulnerable of our community. For a complete list of items needed most, see your newsletter.

HELP - If you know of anyone with needs due to reduced income or lack of income, or hear of any needs for groups helping others, please let the Pastor know. So far Social Ministry has provided some extra help during this time for the Salvation Army, Piedmont Rescue Mission, Living Free Ministries, Alamance Meals on Wheels, and Southern Alamance Family Empowerment (SAFE) of Graham.

PASTORAL VISITS - Pastor John Mark is not actively visiting due to the COVID-19 pandemic and doesn't want to risk spreading the virus. If you desire a pastoral visit or need prayer over the telephone, please contact the Pastor by email or leaving a voice mail at the church or Pastor's cell phone.

COUNCIL will meet next Sunday, June 28th following worship. Devotions - Vicki Greeson.