Dear Members or Redeemer Lutheran Church,
Starting on May 31, 2020, Redeemer Lutheran Church is beginning to resume in person services after over 2 months of online and radio only services. We continue to pray that God will give us wisdom in our preparations and we place our trust in Him. As we gather, we have put into place some items that are recommended by the CDC, the City of Bartlesville, and the State of Oklahoma. I thank you for all of your support and prayers during this time, and I ask for your continued prayers and patience.
The following is a synopsis of what you can expect in the coming weeks:
Worship
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:19-25
We are called to gather in the Word and receive His Sacraments in worship. We trust that God will watch over us, and we pray for wisdom as we slowly relax the restrictions. Worship will be available at 8:15 am and 1 pm, in order to reach as many people through our online streaming and radio services.
- Sunday Schedule:
- 8:15 am : Service - In Person and streamed on YouTube
- 9:45 am : Zoom Bible Study
- 1:00 pm : Service – In Person and on FM 93.3 through the local radio station
- 6ft of Social Distance: Please continue to follow social distancing rules. Every other pew has been blocked off, and members are encouraged to sit with only their household members.
- No service at 10:45 am: In order to provide time between services for sanitizing and to reduce the amount of cross traffic, the 10:45 service will be held during the 1Pm radio service.
- Access: All of the Doors will be propped open, including the fire doors to the sanctuary in order to provide multiple entry points and attempt to prevent bottlenecks. Members are encouraged to progress to their pews and not linger in the entryways or doorways.
- At Risk Members: Please note that Oklahoma’s COVID restrictions still encourage members over 65 and members that have at risk health conditions (ie cardio and pulmonary diseases) are still encouraged to stay home and watch online or join through the radio service.
- Bulletins: The CDC is encouraging places of worship from limiting the amount of shared materials, such as bulletins and hymnals. As such, we encourage members to print their own copies and bring them from home. We will also be posting all of the words on the screens.
- Communion will be available in the services and by drive through after the second service. Pastor will continue to be the only one preparing and distributing, wearing masks and gloves to provide as much safety as possible. For the next few weeks, members will be remaining in their pews, and Pastor will bring the elements out to the people and distribute to each family by placing the bread and wine on a disposable plate. We will eventually return to the rail and using the common cup when we believe it will be safe and appropriate.
- Drive in Communion will be available through the lower doors after the second service until all restrictions are relaxed.
- Hymnals: The hymnals and bibles will be removed from the racks in accordance with the CDC recommendations for reducing the amount of shared materials. Members are encouraged to bring their own hymnals and bibles from home.
- Masks: Members are strongly suggested to wear masks as an effort to reduce any spread of illnesses. Masks will be available at the door for members who do not have one.
- Offering: We will not be passing the plates, as a step to reduce the amount of material passed from person to person. The plates will be available just inside the doors of the sanctuary as you come in. You may bring your offering to church or you may continue to contribute online at www.redeemerbartlesville.org/online-giving
Streaming
We will continue streaming the services, and we will be upgrading our ability to do so.
- Long Term: While we will always encourage in-person services, the Elders and the Council have decided that streaming the services is a benefit to our worship ministry. Even after the COVID restrictions are lifted, the YouTube streaming page will be available. Please subscribe to receive notices of new services.
- Upgrading: Because streaming will be a long term activity, the Council has approved the use of the Evangelism and Computer budget to upgrade into a permanent streaming set up, which will include the ability to patch in the PowerPoint services, use the church soundboard to manage to sound, and provide for a more stable upload to our YouTube stream. The existing set up was tossed together very quickly and has been reliant on third party software to fill in the hardware gaps. This has resulted in some of the streaming issues over the last couple of months. The upgrade will cost about $6,000.
- Privacy: As we resume in person services, there has been a rise in concern about privacy during worship with the continuance of streaming. We have no intentions of videoing the members of the congregation, and only the Pastor and readers should be present in the worship stream.
- Communion before the upgrade: For the first few weeks, while we wait for the streaming hardware to be upgrade, we will be using a modified service that it reminiscent of the ancient church. We will have a blessing and hymn after the prayers that will signal the end of the service for the radio and streamed services. The feed will be cut off after that hymn before communion. This is to address privacy of those communing, and to address the reality that some of the people watching may not have been taught what the bible teaches about the Sacrament of the Altar.
- Communion before the upgrade: Once the equipment is upgraded, we will place either the altar or the words of the hymn on the screen during communion. Please note, communion was established for the gathered disciples, and as such belongs in the Divine Service with the gathered church and not practiced at home through remote consecration. Please DO NOT join in communion by finding your own wine and bread at home. For more information, you can read the LCMS’s statement on the practice of “remote communion”: https://files.lcms.org/wl/?id=F64Yu9xwsZKeXMxfXEvRCQK6EaEBgSkw
Education
Even though we know it is important to continue lifetime Christian education, due to limitations set forth by the state and local governments we will have to make concessions in the foreseeable future.
- Zoom: In order to maintain proper social distancing, we will only offer the 9:30 AM Education Hour class on Zoom.
- No coffee or cookies: The church Fellowship Hall will remain closed off and there will not be cookies or coffee.
- Sunday School Videos: Elementary age Children’s Sunday School will continue to have videos with Michael and Dalton available on the church’s Facebook page.
- Weekly Bible Studies: The various small groups are beginning renegotiate opening again. We ask leaders and participants to respect social distancing expectations. The Monday night Women’s Bible Study will continue to meet via Zoom.
Family and Children’s Ministry
We will work to provide some fellowship opportunities as allowed. Vacation Bible School has been moved to July 27-30. In the meantime, we will continue online videos. We are also working on providing materials for parents to teach their children at home.
- Per state guidelines there will be no church nursery available for the entirety of Sunday mornings. The church will also not be able to provide diapers, wipes, etc.
- Children’s Worship Bags will not be available in the Narthex. Children’s bulletins are available, but parents are encouraged to bring your own crayons.
- If your family cannot or is choosing not to attend on Sundays and you would like the children’s bulletin mailed to you, please email redeemer@redeemerbartlesville.org to request that.
May God Bless You and Keep you!
Pastor Shupe
Wednesday Services are at Noon and 7pm. Supper is provided at 6pm.
Visit our Facebook page for more information on our Lent and Holy Week Services.
Contact Information
Phone: (918) 333-6022
Email: redeemer@redeemerbartlesville.org
Address: 3700 Woodland Rd
Bartlesville, OK 74006
We look forward to you joining us at church on Sunday!
