Coronavirus (COVID-19) and St. John’s (Updated 3/13)

With growing concern regarding the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to inform you of what measures we are taking at St. John’s, especially as we gather for worship.

The Center of Disease Control and Prevention has released the following illness prevention strategies.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

In addition to these items for all of us to follow, here are additional items pertaining to our gatherings at St. John’s:

• Those who have compromised immune systems or respiratory difficulties, or have someone in their home for which this is the case: please stay home.  Those who are elderly, especially those with other health issues, should also stay home.  Please notify the church office if you are staying home for illness so we can minister to you in other ways.
• Pastors, ushers, communion assistants, children’s church leaders, and others will wash hands frequently
• We will temporarily suspend using the common cup during communion.
• The offering plates will be placed on stands in the sanctuary. Instead of passing the plates, worshipers will be invited to place their offering in the plates on the stands.
• We will still  do our greeting of peace, but let’s do it without making any contact.  Bowing, head nod, or just talk to each other about our need for the Lord’s peace, or speak a blessing of peace to each other.  The pastors will continue to be on the patio after service to greet and chat.

As followers of Christ, our ultimate hope and comfort is found in Christ alone.  Therefore, we encourage your prayers regarding this disease as well.

• Pray for those who are ill with this disease, that they may recover
• Pray for those who are testing for and treating this illness, that they would be protected and effective in their work
• Pray for the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones to this disease, for their comfort and peace
• Pray for those who are working to contain the spread of the disease, that their efforts would be successful
• Pray for those who are seeking cures and vaccines, that their efforts would bear fruit
• Pray for our own community and loved ones, that we might be protected
• Pray for faith for all to trust that we are in the nail-marked hands of a gracious loving God