Planning for Our Reopening – What Will Be in Place to Keep You Safe

May 06, 2020

We’re getting ready!  We’ve been planning and preparing for the day when we can worship together again at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. First, we are awaiting the announcement that Allegheny County is in the “Yellow” zone.  We will notify you through facebook, on our website and via email the status of our opening.  

Even after we reopen, we will continue with online services.  We understand that you may not feel safe or comfortable attending church with others at that time.

Here’s what will be in place to keep you safe when we return to worship at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church:

  • We will continue with two (2) services, 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM, in order to maintain the guideline of 25 or less in a gathering.  This schedule will continue beyond Memorial Day Weekend and until further notice.
  • Sunday School will not be held between services but will continue with at-home options
  • All who attend worship must wear masks/facial coverings; we request that you bring your own, but we’ll supply if you don’t have one
  • Pews will be roped off in order to maintain social distance
  • No distribution of Holy Communion; a Morning Prayer format with Sermon will be used instead
  • All resources necessary for the service will be printed and placed in the pews before service
  • The offering plate will be stationed in the narthex at all times
  • Prior to and after each service, door knobs and surface areas will be disinfected
  • Ushers will monitor and control the number of people in the narthex and will dismiss pews at the end of the service to allow for adequate social distancing.
  • Greeters and tellers will not be needed at this early stage of reopening.  Lectors and ushers will be contacted to determine their level of comfort in participating.

This is a challenging time and we know that God is with us. Although our church service may be different when we return, we’ll be together worshipping our great God as one church body. We’re eagerly looking forward to this day.  

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ~ Ephesians 4:4