According to the guidelines set by the CDC. IDPH, and the ELCA, Redeemer's will be returning to all vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals over the age of 2 to wear a mask while in church. It is not what we all want to hear, but we do need to heed the recommendations by those who determine these guidelines. This will begin this Sunday, August 29.We recommend masks for all people when indoors, regardless of vaccination status. We strongly recommend masks for all when your county is at “substantial” or “high” risk.
As noted above, while fully vaccinated people are less likely to be infected with COVID-19 or develop symptoms, you can still be infected with the Delta variant and spread it to others. Vaccinated individuals can transmit the virus with a similar viral load when infected. This poses a heightened risk to caretakers of children and the immunocompromised.
Many settings that include a mixture of individuals with varied vaccination statuses require all individuals to mask, regardless of vaccination status. These settings include public transportation and now, schools. Congregations are similar to schools and public transportation in regards to the mixture of a diverse group of people that include children who cannot be vaccinated and the immunocompromised who even if vaccinated may be more susceptible to infection.
Jesus is born in you
Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night,
though cold the winter and cheerless,
the rising sun shall crown you with light,
be strong and loving and fearless;
Love be our song and love our prayer,
and love, our endless story,
may God fill every day we share,
and bring us at last into glory.
(Final verse of “Wake, O Wake to Greet the new morn”)
Every year we celebrate the birth of Jesus at the darkest time of the year.
At the end of December when there is only about 10 hours of sunlight per day and temperatures are cold, we light candles, sing songs of God’s love for us and remember, "God has chosen to be born in this world, among us, within us."
It is a very important time for us and so beautiful.
We believe that the incarnation (‘God made flesh’) means Jesus is all around us and within us. Jesus is made flesh in loving relationships and expressions of compassion, mercy and justice.
In the life and ministry of Redeemer’s Lutheran, Jesus is made flesh in many ways:
- Operation Christmas child
- Support for the Women’s Crisis Center
- Collection and distribution of Thanksgiving dinners
- Renewal & redecorating the welcome room (narthex) with new the hope that all will be feel at home
Jesus is made flesh in each of you:
- Through worship, song and prayer
- In meals made for homeless people
- In hospitality for all who struggle with addiction
- In book groups, Redeemers Connected and compassionate conversations.
Jesus is born and lives in you. In all of life’s circumstances and all seasons, Jesus is alive. There may be darkness, cold and discouragement. We may have to face difficulty.
And still: “Love is our song and love is our prayer and love our endless story,
May God fill every day we share and bring us at last into glory.” Amen.
Thank you all for allowing Jesus to be born and live in you. It is a blessing to live this ministry with you.
Blessed Advent and Christmas to you all,
Pastor Soren Flessen