Grace Lutheran Church, Astoria

Fully vaccinated individuals are now permitted to go mask-free both indoors and outdoors with a few exceptions (public transportation, schools, hospitals, etc.). What this means for worshipers at Grace is this: If you are fully vaccinated, you are not required to wear a mask, whether we are worshiping inside or in the garden. If you are not fully vaccinated, you must continue to wear a mask. Becau

se most children will not be vaccinated any time soon, they must continue to wear masks even on Sunday morning during Children’s Church and Sunday School. And because Sunday School teachers work in close proximity to the children, they will also need to continue to wear masks. The one exception to the mask guidelines for children is that those age 5 and under are not required to mask, although it is encouraged. It is also strongly recommended that if you are in worship and are in close proximity to others who are not members of your household, that you continue to wear masks. Please understand that some people may continue to wear masks even though they may be in a category that allows them to be mask-free. Do not be critical of those who wish to practice an abundance of caution.

• If you are sick, or have a fever or other symptoms of sickness, please DO NOT
come to church.
• The nave will be limited to 30 people (including the pastor, assisting minister, and
musician).
• Pews will be marked for the purposes of individual social distancing. Families and
others who live together may of course sit closer together.
• There will be no singing, only listening to music. Words will be projected on the
screen so that worshipers can follow the hymns and the liturgy. Spoken responses
should be made quietly, including the Lord’s Prayer.
• For the foreseeable future, Holy Communion will be distributed using
prepackaged and sealed individual disposable chalices containing bread and wine. At the time of the distribution, each worshiper may come forward to take one of
the chalices from the tray and return to their pew by the side aisle. At all times,
worshipers should maintain a six-foot distance from the person in front of them. Once back in their pew, worshipers should consume the bread and wine
immediately and completely, leaving no elements remaining in the chalice, which
will be collected in a basket by the ushers. Only one chalice will be distributed to
each person present. Individual chalices containing consecrated bread and wine
may not be taken from the church (such as to serve someone at home).
• Offerings will be collected by the ushers using a basket with a long handle. If you
donate using the smartphone app, simply shake your head “no,” indicating that the
usher does not need to put the basket in front of you.
• There will be Children’s Church at each service, as usual.
• The bathrooms in Luther Hall will be available for use by one person at a time. Please be sure to use the sign on the outside of each bathroom door that one can
slide to the right or the left, indicating “occupied - red” or “vacant - green.”
When you exit the bathroom, please remember to slide the sign back to “vacant” in
order to assist the next visitor.
• These protocols are designed with the well-being of all our church guests in mind. If they sound restrictive to you, please understand that we act out of an abundance
of caution. We pray that the current pandemic will end soon so that we can
eventually return to more “normal” worship practices. If you have any concerns,
do not hesitate to contact Pastor James.
• Remember, if you are uncomfortable attending church in person, we will continue
to live-stream the service on our YouTube channel. Unfortunately, we occasionally experience technical problems, but we are doing our best to prevent
them.
• “Our Lord is with us!”