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The time has come. On Sunday, June 7th, both Faith Lutheran of Harrison and St. John Lutheran of Clare will resume in-person worship at the normal worship times. How will it look? A set of guidelines is included in this cover letter. (For those who receive paper materials, the guidelines were sent out Friday [May 29th]. For those who receive email, the guidelines were sent out digitally Friday [May 29th]). Please read through these as they discuss the Governor’s exemptions for churches, the rationale for reopening, and guidelines for safe re-gathering.
This re-gathering will be different. Some familiar faces might be present, others might not. Please be assured, these guidelines seek to accomplish two very important things: (1) Allow you to worship in person and (2) Keep you healthy and safe. Still, you may not feel quite ready to return. Personal health weigh heavy on your mind. By all means, stay home. Be safe. Worship materials will still be provided for you. You might be ready to return. Great! And I look forward to worshipping with you again! Please allow a word of advice: Remember the purpose of the guidelines: (1) Worship God and (2) Keep each other safe. National reopening has become quite a politicized issue. Sadly, it can (and has) infected congregations too. Some worshippers cautiously protect themselves, others wear minimal coverings. Some chide others for not wearing masks, hand sanitizing, etc, and the other side chirps back. When the focus turns onto ‘self,’ division reigns. That’s why Jesus teaches: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35). Think of how Jesus loved others. When arrested, the disciples flee. When soldiers abuse his body, no one steps up. When the world mocks him, Jesus dies. Here is One fully justified to open his mouth and criticize and condemn those who hurt him. Instead, he died for them. Jesus died for you. He died for me. He died for the times when we cared more for ourselves than for others. He wipes away our harsh words and careless attitudes. He blots out the times we get frustrated at others for not doing what we want. And wonder of wonders! He daily forgives—even when we return for the umpteenth millionth time. Jesus still says: ‘I love you. See the cross. Find forgiveness, peace, and life.’ Yes, re-gathering will be different. Pastor might act different. Familiar faces might act different from us. Yet, let the focus remain on Jesus. Let his selfless, self-giving love motivate selfless love for others. And where disagreements appear, let us treat each other in Christian love. For that is what we are, people connected to the same Savior. Let us have open ears and open minds when talking with each other. Because the point of worship is not to discuss politics or to divide. The point of worship is to (1) be with God and to do so (2) in a safe manner. God bless us in this effort. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES Again, you are receiving a set of reopening guidelines either by mail or email. Pastor Ewald will reach the email recipients Monday and Tuesday in order to confirm that the materials have been received, as well as to handle any questions, suggestions, or comments. He will reach out to the mail recipients Tuesday and Wednesday for the same reason. The set of guidelines is by no means a finished product. It may have to be loosened or tightened. We will not know until it goes into action. Please help in this matter. If you have questions or concerns, please let Pastor Ewald or a councilman know. Please be patient with us and pray for us. If you do not wish to return to in-person worship quite yet, please let Pastor Ewald know. Digital and paper worship materials will still be provided, but he needs to know who needs them. Making him aware of your intentions allows him to reach you. Pastor remains available by appointment for devotions and private communion in his office during this time of restrictions. (This type of activity is allowed under the current Executive Order, 2020-92, pt. 16.) Please call to schedule. He holds steady office hours (8:00am-5:00pm) at St. John, Clare He will be at Faith Harrison Wednesday afternoon (1:00pm-5:00pm). You may reach him afterhours at the parsonage (989-339-6716). Finally, the current set of Meditations devotionals is set to expire May 31st. New copies are available at each church for pickup. They will also be distributed upon reopening the church Please contact the church office should you have difficulty picking up essentials or are experiencing hardship. We will do our best in meeting reasonable requests. Also, fabric facemasks have been donated to the church by Jim, Ann, and Betty Schaeffer. If you have need of one, please reach out. We will make sure to get one to you. God bless you and keep you this week. Your friend, Rev. Andrew G. Ewald Will this Memorial Day be different? At the time of this writing, McEwan Street in Clare is quite active and traffic flowed from US-127 and into Harrison. I imagine most are trying to escape health stress, political news, strained relationships and tense conversations, changes in work, and reminders that life is not normal.
Life is not normal— at least, not the way we wish. The Bible makes clear that sin has unleashed its horrible devastation. The Bible also makes clear that trips up north and time in the quiet is not the antidote to sin. That’s why Jesus invites you (and me) to find rest in him. Listen to his pardon for nagging guilt. Hear him forgive harsh arguments, shameful behavior, and failed self-reliance. Make use of his invitation to cast all anxiety on him and approach him in prayer. True rest will never be found in earthly things. True rest is found in the King of all things. His Word provides rest now and will forever. [Jesus said:] Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE UPDATE AS SOME INFORMATION HAS CHANGED. As it stands, we plan resuming worship Sunday, June 7th, at the normal worship times. Your congregation has in place a set of guidelines that will be used when worship resumes. Governor Whitmer’s ‘stay-home’ order is set to expire this Friday, May 28th. Naturally, we do not know exactly what to expect, but we remain confident that our plans will be able to remain in place. The next letter will provide receive clear, definite instructions regarding worship. Thank you for your patience. Until then, worship materials remain available in one of several formats:
** Consider leaving a ‘welcome’ in the comment section below the video. In this way, we may interact with one another, even if from a distance. Pastor Ewald remains available by appointment for devotions and private communion in his office during this time of restrictions. (This type of activity is allowed under the current Executive Order, 2020-77, pt. 16.) Please call to schedule. He holds steady office hours (8:00am-5:00pm) at St. John, Clare He will be at Faith Harrison Wednesday afternoon (1:00pm-5:00pm). He also will try to contact you via telephone, e-mail, Facebook, or text message about every 7-10 days. Please do not hesitate to reach out to him. Last week, we sent out 252 fabric facemasks to our friends in the metro Detroit area. (Be assured, this did not take away from serving the needs of our local community.) This generosity helped those who live in the ‘hotspots’ of covid-19, and provided a strong example of Christian love to those who need to know Christ. We are still collecting masks. If you desire, you may contact Pastor to arrange a drop off. The current set of Meditations devotionals is set to expire May 31st. New copies are available at each church for pickup. They will also be distributed upon reopening the church. Finally, please contact the church office should you have difficulty picking up essentials or are experiencing hardship. We will do our best in meeting reasonable requests. Also, fabric facemasks have been donated to the church by Jim, Ann, and Betty Schaeffer. If you have need of one, please reach out. We will make sure to get one to you. God continue to provide you with spiritual and mental strength as you live by his promises. Your friend, Rev. Andrew G. Ewald If you’re like me, the phrase ‘Stay-Home’ rings something like: ‘Stay-Away-from-People.’ While good advice, it does not feel good to stay away from hugging children and grandchildren. It feels unpleasant not visiting friends in nursing homes or eating out with familiar faces. The lack of physical contact may weigh heavy. How do you handle it?
Peter, an apostle of Jesus writes: To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance (1 Peter 1:1-3). Persecution pushed these Christians away from familiar places, spaces, and faces. ‘Scattered’ meant ‘Stay Home.’ How did they deal with the lack of close contact? Peter reminds them of who they are, who you are. Connected to God through Jesus Christ. Still connected to God through the Word. Strengthened by God with his promises. Heirs of heaven. People under his care now. We might be scattered, but never scattered from God. While the loss of physical closeness stings, God blesses us with phones, devices, and windows so that we can see and talk and hear. Until we all meet again, God fills us with peace— the peace of approaching him in prayer with burdens and anxieties, the peace of God granting patience and strength in every challenge. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE UPDATE AS SOME INFORMATION HAS CHANGED. We currently operate under Governor Whitmer’s current ‘Stay-at-Home’ (set to expire May 28th). Currently, we plan resuming worship Sunday, June 7th, at the normal worship times. Early last week, your church council drafted a set of guidelines that will be used when worship resumes. Still, much can change between now and then, and so we remain alert for future guidance. As our planned reopening approaches, you will receive clear, definite instructions regarding expectations for worship. Until then, worship materials remain available in one of several formats:
To access the videos follow these steps: a. Access www.youtube.com b. Type: ‘St John Lutheran Clare’ c. A circle with the picture of the church will appear in the search results. Click it. d. Select desired video. ** Thank you to all who have subscribed. If you have not yet done so, please considering ‘subscribing’ as this makes our content more visible and easier to find.
Pastor Ewald remains available by appointment for devotions and private communion in his office during this time of restrictions. (This type of activity is allowed under the current Executive Order, 2020-77, pt. 16.) Please call to schedule. He holds steady office hours (8:00am-5:00pm) at St. John, Clare He will be at Faith Harrison Wednesday afternoon (1:00pm-5:00pm). He also will try to contact you via telephone, e-mail, Facebook, or text message about every 7-10 days. Please do not hesitate to reach out to him. Please contact the church office should you have difficulty picking up essentials or are experiencing hardship. We will do our best in meeting reasonable requests. Also, fabric facemasks have been donated to the church by Jim, Ann, and Betty Schaeffer. If you have need of one, please reach out. We will make sure to get one to you. God continue to provide you with spiritual and mental strength as you live by his promises. Your friend, Rev. Andrew G. Ewald Was ‘give thanks’ the first thought on your mind when you woke up? If you’re like me, probably not. Usually we ‘give thanks’ when we have a reason: nice weather, after receiving special gifts, when a fortunate event occurs, when hearing unexpected good news. Those situations prompt thanks. Staying home away from family and activities does not.
Still, the psalm-writer encourages you: ‘Give thanks.’ Understand, he does not infer giving thanks in good situations only, nor does he live ignorant of the presence of very real troubles. Psalm 107 lists the troubles the Israelites faced: slavery, wandering in the desert, lack of food and water, rebellion, and death. Still, he says: ‘Give thanks!’ Why? Because God has rescued the soul from hell and the Christian knows this. It remains a blessing to trust in God through joy and trouble, for you will lose nothing. It remains a blessing to thank God for giving patience and strength for trouble. (If you haven’t done so already, I strongly encourage you to read and meditate on Psalm 107. You’ll benefit from doing so.) “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE UPDATE AS SOME INFORMATION HAS CHANGED. Late last week, Governor Whitmer extended her ‘Stay-at-Home’ order until May 28th. Beginning this Monday, your church council will begin putting together a set of guidelines (taking into account CDC recommendations) that can be used when worship resumes and will discuss possibilities for reopening worship. Again, when the safe, appropriate time arrives, you will receive instructions regarding worship. Until then, worship materials remain available in one of several formats:
Pastor Ewald remains available by appointment for devotions and private communion in his office during this time of restrictions. (This type of activity is allowed under the current Executive Order, 2020-77, pt. 16.) Please call to schedule. He holds steady office hours (8:00am-5:00pm) at St. John, Clare He will be at Faith Harrison Wednesday afternoon (1:00pm-5:00pm). He also will try to contact you via telephone, e-mail, Facebook, or text message about every 7-10 days. Please do not hesitate to reach out to him. Last week, our Michigan District sent out a special request. Can you make face masks? A WELS member has been handing out face masks in Detroit to Bangledeshi immigrants, most of them Muslim. He tells them that Christians care about them because Christ cared about them and died for them. He is known in the community. These contacts are very well received by the immigrants and even by Muslim leaders in the area. There is a severe mask shortage in the area and quite a bit of social pressure to wear them. So far 1000 masks have been distributed. Tom Metzger of the Michigan District Mission Board is collecting masks to be given to this man for distribution. Christian symbols are allowed (though not required). You may contact the church office regarding delivery of these facemasks. Also, please do not publicly post the sensitive details of this blurb on social media, such as "Bangladeshi immigrants" or "Detroit." Believe it or not, America is still not the safest country for Muslim-turned-Christian converts. Please keep this man and his Muslim community in your prayers. Please contact the church office should you have difficulty picking up essentials or are experiencing hardship. We will do our best in meeting reasonable requests. Also, fabric facemasks have been donated to the church by Jim, Ann, and Betty Schaeffer. If you have need of one, please reach out. We will make sure to get one to you. God fill you with peace and patience as we wait for restrictions to loosen and as we care for our fellowman. Also, to all mothers and mother-figures, Happy Mother’s day! Your friend, Rev. Andrew G. Ewald Jesus lives!
Easter really changed everything. Women pace towards a tomb fully expecting the sight of death. Disciples huddle together, crushed by the dreadful news of Jesus’ death. Once again, both groups stared mortality in the face— and death won. You know the Bible verse. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Death comes to all people because all sinned. Death is a dreadful reminder that something is mortally wrong with us. Then, Jesus appears. Not dead, but alive. As your (and my) Substitute, he lived the life we did not, paid off our death-penalty, and lives again to tell you the good news. A risen and (still-living) Jesus is proof positive that God accepted Jesus’ life. A risen and (still-living) Jesus is proof positive that you will not die in hell, but will rise body and soul into heaven. A risen and (still-living) Jesus is proof positive that you hold victory now. “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you” (1 Corinthians 15:56-58a). PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE UPDATE AS SOME INFORMATION HAS CHANGED. Late last week, Governor Whitmer extended her ‘Stay-at-Home’ order until May 15th. That has brought little change to the way we worship. In the coming days your church council will begin putting together a set of guidelines (taking into account CDC recommendations) that can be used when worship resumes. When the order is lifted, you will receive instructions regarding worship. Until that time, worship materials are available in one of several formats:
Pastor Ewald is available by appointment for devotions and private communion in his office during this time of restrictions. (This type of activity is allowed under the current Executive Order, 2020-59, pt. 16.) Please call to schedule. He holds steady office hours (8:00am-5:00pm) at St. John, Clare He will be at Faith Harrison Wednesday afternoon (1:00pm-5:00pm). He also will try to contact you via telephone, e-mail, Facebook, or text message about every 7-10 days. Please do not hesitate to reach out to him. At the close of last month’s congregational budget, all financial obligations were met. Thank God for supplying all our needs! And thank God for your faithful giving! What an awesome delight that God would use us and our financial gifts as tools that allow his Word of life to touch hearts and change lives! (2 Corinthians 8:3-4) May we always remember this joyful privilege! Please contact the church office should you have difficulty picking up essentials or are experiencing hardship. We will do our best in meeting reasonable requests. Also, fabric facemasks have been donated to the church. If you have need of one, please reach out. We will make sure to get one to you. God give you confidence in the face of death with the victory that is clearly seen in his empty tomb. Your friend, Rev. Andrew G. Ewald Christ is risen, risen indeed!
What good news that sets a clear perspective! At the time of this writing, you have ‘stayed home’ (or had restricted travels) for five weeks. Your stress might have risen at alarming news, but has now since calmed. At the moment you may feel a little depressed staying away from children and grandchildren, friends and neighbors. And the anticipation that the order will be extended does not help. It is frustrating. It is a little depressing. It does not feel good. Remember: Jesus lives— just as promised. Which means, he keeps promises. He keeps the promise to strengthen you with his Word. He keeps his promise to hear and answer your prayers. He keeps his promise to bless you with patience, mental strength, and peace. When exasperated, take him up on those promises. Go to him in prayer. Memorize and recall his Word meant for you, for a moment like this. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE UPDATE AS SOME INFORMATION HAS CHANGED. Once again, April 30th will address Governor Whitmer’s ‘Stay-at-Home’ order. While we fully expect it to be extended, there remains a possibility certain organizations might open. Again, when the order is lifted, you will receive instructions regarding worship. Until that time, we will worship remotely.
** Thank you to all who have subscribed. If you have not yet done so, please considering ‘subscribing’ as this makes our content more visible and easier to find.
Pastor Ewald is available by appointment for devotions and private communion in his office during this time of restrictions. (This type of activity is allowed under the current Executive Order, 2020-42, pt. 13.) Please call to schedule. He holds steady office hours (8:00am-5:00pm) at St. John, Clare He will be at Faith Harrison Wednesday afternoon (1:00pm-5:00pm). He also will try to contact you via telephone, e-mail, Facebook, or text message about every 7-10 days. Please do not hesitate to reach out to him. Please contact the church office should you have difficulty picking up essentials. We will do our best in meeting reasonable requests. Also, fabric facemasks have been donated to the church by Jim, Ann, and Betty Schaeffer. If you have need of one, please reach out. We will make sure to get one to you. Your thank-offerings are still being received and deposited (when a sizeable deposit can be made). At present offerings are below our weekly needs (hovering around 70% of budgeted needs), but we thank God that our ministry has not fallen into dire financial straits. Our financial outlook remains positive. That means, you (and I) are still able to consider in our hearts what God has given us and what amount we may return to God (2 Corinthians 9:7). In this way we demonstrate love for God (as we treasure his Word over wealth) and demonstrate love for his Word in life. Your financial support enables us to produce and deliver these worship materials for you and your fellow members. Please remember the privilege God gives us in supporting a ministry that carries eternal implications. God’s peace be yours. Your friend, Rev. Andrew G. Ewald Christ is and remains risen, risen indeed!
That good news is not meant for one day, only to be packed up with the rest of the Easter decorations. That good news applies to life every day, be it April 30th, July 21st, October 11th or January 18th. The fact that Jesus rose long ago and remains alive means that death will not hold you in the ground. It means you will see God face to face. It means your Jesus, once publicly humiliated, is now reigning at the top, governing all things for your good! The troubles in this life can weigh heavy on our minds and pull our attentions off from this good news. When you find yourself sitting under a heavy cloud, stop and listen to Jesus teach his disciples the point of his death and resurrection: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE UPDATE AS SOME INFORMATION HAS CHANGED. Nothing has changed in the response of Faith, Harrison, and St. John, Clare, to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Whitmer’s ‘Stay-at-Home’ order remains in effect until Thursday, April 30th. Until we receive further guidance, we will still worship remotely. When the order is finally lifted, you will receive instructions regarding worship opportunities. Until then, you will continue receiving an abbreviated order of service, a sermon, and a familiar hymn. You have options as to how you may receive and use these materials:
** Thank you to all who have subscribed. If you have not yet done so, please considering ‘subscribing’ as this makes our content more visible and easier to find.
Pastor Ewald still makes himself available by appointment for devotions and private communion in his office during this time of restrictions. (This type of activity is allowed under the current Executive Order, 2020-42, pt. 13.) Please call to schedule. He holds steady office hours (8:00am-5:00pm) at St. John, Clare. PLEASE NOTE: He will be at Faith Harrison Wednesday this THURSDAY afternoon (1:00pm-5:00pm). He also will try to contact you via telephone, e-mail, Facebook, or text message about every 7-10 days. Please do not hesitate to reach out to him. Several local grocery stores will take your order, offer payment methods, and arrange home delivery or curbside pick up. (You may also contact the church office should you have difficulty picking up necessities. We will do our best in meeting reasonable requests.) CARROW'S SUPERMARKET (FARWELL) call in order (989-588-2965) give credit card over the phone curbside pickup (9a-6p) Clare County Transit Delivery: (9a-2p) (orders for same-day delivery made before 1:00p) STEVE’S COUNTRY MARKET (HARRISON) call in order (989-539-3110) give credit card over the phone curbside pickup (8a-6p) Clare County Transit Delivery (2p-8p) (orders for same-day delivery made before 11:00a) WITBECKS GROCERY (CLARE) call in order (989-386-7591) NO credit card over the phone pay cash or check at curbside curbside pickup 9a-6p Clare County Transit Delivery (2p-8p) Finally, your financial contributions to the ministry of Faith, Harrison, and St. John, Clare, enable us to produce and deliver these worship materials for you. Our thank-offerings are a form of worship in which we thank God for (1) what he has given us physically and (2) what he gives us spiritually. Your offerings are much appreciated as they serve my needs, your needs, and the needs of your fellow members. God fill you with the certain peace that flows from the empty tomb. Your friend in Jesus, Rev. Andrew G. Ewald |
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St. John Lutheran is a member of the
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)