Revised COVID Guidelines for In Person Worship: No Singing
The new guidelines announced by Governor Newsom this week specify that there can be no singing or chanting for in person worship. We will comply with this guideline, although we will continue to have music in our services. Since we cannot have live musicians singing, we will resume using only recordings at both services. Those who are worshiping via live stream are encouraged to sing their hearts out at home! Those who worshiping in person in the sanctuary are not to sing out loud. The songs and hymns are still a time of prayer, meditation and reflection as we “sing” in our hearts, and reflect on the texts.
Worship for July 5
Worship in the Sanctuary: 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM
Livestream: 10:30 AM
Worship for July 5: David and Samuel
This Sunday we focus on the account of Samuel being sent by God to the home of Jesse to anoint one of his sons as the new king. Being guided by outward appearance, Samuel believes God is going to choose the oldest and tallest son. The Lord informs him that he doesn’t look at the outward appearance, but rather looks on the heart. God chooses the smallest and youngest, David. The phrase “the Lord looks at the heart” is a frightening reality, because the Lord sees each sinful and selfish desire of our heart. That is why we need the Son of David, Christ the Lord. He came to pay the penalty for our hearts and by His Spirit reclaims our hearts for faithful worship and service.
Please go to this page (https://stjohnslutheran.net/live-streaming-worship-at-st-johns/) for information regarding the 1030 service , to download the handout, and to link to the live stream itself.
Family and Children Resources
We are pleased to offer several resources for families, parents and children
- “Family Faith Night” This is a Christ-centered family time of word, prayer and activity for parents and small children. Watch the e-vine for a new “Family Faith Night” each week. Here is this week’s: https://stjohnslutheran.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Family-Faith-Nights-Week-4.pdf
- “Parenting Christian Kids” This is a monthly newsletter with helpful input for parents as they seek to nurture the spiritual growth of their children. Click here for the July issue: https://stjohnslutheran.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Parenting-Christian-Kids-July-2020.pdf
- “Children’s Church Lesson.” This is a weekly Sunday School/Children’s church type lesson for parents to lead with small children. Please use this at home during this time when we are unable to offer our regular children’s church. Here is this week’s: https://stjohnslutheran.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CC-Lesson6-Josiah-Promises-to-Follow-the-Lord.pdf
Installation of Christy Wood as Principal
We will be installing our new principal, Christy Wood, at both services on Sunday, July 12. We are delighted to welcome Principal Wood to our staff and to our St. John’s family. Please see Christy’s message below:
Greetings from Christy Wood
My name is Christy Wood and I am so excited to be your new principal at St. John’s Lutheran School.
I grew up in San Francisco and am a 5th generation San Franciscan. I had the privilege of attending West Portal Lutheran School and Mercy High School in San Francisco before earning a Bachelor of Science degree at San Francisco State in Liberal Studies. Knowing the importance of Lutheran education, I attended Concordia University-Irvine for my Lutheran Teaching Diploma and California Teaching Credential. To further my education, I have a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University-Irvine, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Portland, and am currently two-thirds finished with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Concordia University-Irvine (with an anticipated graduation in December 2021).
I have over 23 years of experience in Lutheran education. I have served as a second-grade teacher at West Portal Lutheran, as a second grade and junior high teacher at Faith Lutheran in Tucson, Arizona, and as a Kindergarten teacher and Preschool Director at Open Arms- Messiah Lutheran School in Tucson, Arizona. The majority of my ministry has been at West Portal Lutheran School in San Francisco, where I was Assistant Principal for 16 years. During that time, I also taught at every grade level for extended periods of time. For the two years prior to the move to St. John’s, I was serving as Director of School Ministries (Principal and Preschool Director) at Lamb of God Lutheran School Las Vegas, Nevada.
My husband, Steve, and I have been married for 23 years, and we have been blessed with two children. Our son, Justin, will be a senior at Concordia University – Irvine, where he is majoring in Music education and pre-seminary in preparation to become a pastor. Our daughter, Katelyn, is a nursing student in Nebraska.
Thank you for your warm welcome and I look forward to meeting you in person soon.
In-Person Worship Update
In-person worship on June 28th went very well. There were 23 in the 8:30 service and 64 in the 10:30 service. The second service was close to full with the currant set-up. We have added one more chair to each row in order to accommodate more people while maintaining social distance. We will continue to monitor the seating limits. As you prepare to return to in-person worship please consider attending the 8:30 service which currently has more space available. The 10:30 live stream from the sanctuary worked as planned. We hope to start live streaming the 8:30 service as well in the near future.
Race and Justice Survey
I also invite you to participate in this survey for our congregation by Barna Research. This “Faith & Race Check-In” asks about your perspective and questions on current issues around race and justice. The results will be shared with our congregation. It consists of 20 questions and will take 3-7 minutes to complete. Click here to participate: https://assessments.gloo.us/a/RGVwbG95bWVudENvbmZpZ3wxNzE0MzE0MjQ0MzE5NjEwMTEz
Streaming Upgrade Update
Thank you so much to all those who have made generous offerings to help with the cost of our coming streaming upgrade. We are still about a month from the installation of the new equipment. We have been able to begin streaming from the sanctuary, but we look forward to a significant improvement in the quality of what we will be streaming.
- Three HD cameras
- A fourth camera that will be portable (for use in the Faith Chapel and Parish Hall)
- A Controller for the cameras that will enable smooth movement and transitions, controlling pan, tilt and zoom.
- A Video Mixer, to mix and switch what is coming from the cameras, as well as what is projected on the screens
- New Software for projection which will integrate with the stream
- New Software for controlling the streaming (already purchased and being used)
- A screen on the facing of the balcony so that those in front can see what is being projected more easily
- A portable screen that can be taken onto the patio, showing what is being streamed.
- A new tech desk in the tech area
- Other screens and equipment for the tech area.
Aaron Comfort on Disney+ Streaming!
We are very excited to share more details about Aaron’s upcoming appearance on the Disney+ (streaming) television series, “It’s a Dog’s Life.” If you haven’t already done so, please check out this wonderful new show. Disney legend, Bill Farmer, the voice actor of Goofy and Pluto, tells the stories of working dogs across the United States, while educating viewers on responsible pet care. Aaron will be featured in the “Hometown Heroes” segment at the end of the show. This episode will be available on July 10.
The Church Office will be closed Monday, July 6th.
Ongoing News and Information
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