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We Are More Than a Building

3/15/2020

My Dear Friends,

After consulting with folks at the city board of health, we decided to meet for worship this past Sunday. After worship, our church council met and decided to close our building for the remainder of the month of March. Council will meet remotely on March 26 to evaluate if we are able to re-open the building at that time. In the meantime, all activities and outside groups are suspended.

Notice that it is the building that will close. Saint Stephen will continue to be an open church, using our technological resources to the best of our ability to remain connected. Most of us have and use computers, some others smartphones only, and some are living off the digital grid. As time goes on, we will be thinking of ways to keep us connected in the midst of technological diversity. While technology is a gift, using it can be a challenge.

Even though we are canceling all activities in the building, the operations of the church continue. If you normally bring your offering to church, please consider mailing it to St Stephen Lutheran Church 537 Bolton St, Marlborough, MA 01752 Attn: Financial Secretary. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Please, if you haven’t already done so, consider signing up for our email list, subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Instagram, and like us on Facebook. All of these are linked from our website, saintstephenlutheran.com

In Psalm 46, the Psalmist writes, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble,” and later affirms that “God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be shaken.” Because of God’s saving grace, we are bold to care for each other. Because of Baptism, we are all connected in Christ Jesus. Because God is our refuge and strength, we look to the future when we can all meet again.

In the meantime, follow the directions of our elected and appointed officials. Pray. Keep in touch. I can be reached by email or by phone. Check out our online resources. Be safe.

May God bless you and keep you.
In sure and certain hope,

Joseph Graumann, Jr.
Pastor

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A Note on Health and Hygiene at Saint Stephen

3/13/2020

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Dear Friends in Christ,

In the midst of crisis, communities of faith like our own are powerful witnesses to God’s kingdom of life and love. When those crises center around the transmission of disease, we face a twofold responsibility: to witness to God’s compassion and to mitigate risks to those most vulnerable. In order to reduce the chance of risk and to alleviate anxiety, I would like to share the following recommendations to increase health and hygiene in our community.

Stay home if you are ill, you suspect illness, or you have been exposed to someone with illness. Remember, older folks are more vulnerable to diseases like flu and COVID-19, so you will be doing us a kindness. If you are anxious about catching something, stay home. Nothing to worry about if you don’t go, and God’s love fills all creation.
Wash your hands! Use warm water and soap. Lather your hands for 20 seconds and rinse and dry them thoroughly. This is by far the most effective practice in preventing transmission people-to-people.
Because hands are the most likely sources of transmission, we will no longer encourage people to receive communion by intinction, or dipping the bread in the wine.
Though this is counterintuitive, most experts agree that receiving communion by common cup is a more-hygienic way to receive the sacrament in both kinds. There have been zero reported cases of the transmission of disease through this method. If you feel uncomfortable receiving wine in this way, please rest assured that Jesus is fully present in either the bread or wine. You may bow to, kiss, or air-kiss the chalice if you would like.
We will be sharing the peace without touching. A peace sign, bow, or some other gesture is just fine. The same goes for greeting the pastor on your way out the door.
If you are feeling anxious or would like to talk, please contact the pastor by email or by phone.

There is no cause to panic. Nor is there cause to seriously amend your way of life, unless later directed to do so by local authorities. We are a people of hope, and we consider science and medicine to be gifts from God. Let us join in prayer and care for those who suffer from illness in any way. God is a God of life, and we trust in the love that comes from God and from neighbor.

Faithfully yours,

Pastor Joe

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We Are More Than a Building

A Note on Health and Hygiene at Saint Stephen

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