We invite you to share a time of worship with us – either virtually or in-person!
Sunday – in-person worship: 9 a.m. at Elim Lutheran Church (see details below about guidelines)
Link to online YouTube services: click here
Pastor Chris invites you to a time of conversation.
In these days you may be experiencing a need to talk about where God is in the midst of all this and to be assured of God’s presence. Pastor Chris welcomes the opportunity to journey through this with you. You may call him at any time at 360-907-4289 or email him at prnolte@gmail.com.
Pastor Chris is also available at the church office on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In order to best practice safe physical distancing, conversations will be held by appointment in the church entrance area (or outside, weather permitting) with chairs spaced at least 12 feet apart. Please call/text Pastor Chris at 360-907-4289 or email him at prnolte@gmail.com to schedule an appointment. He looks forward to sharing this time with you.
Worship on Sundays at 9 a.m. – in-person and online (link above)
Our congregation and the CHURCH-at-large have never been closed! We have been ministering to each other in all sorts of ways given the extraordinary limitations of our world-wide situation. We are simply now re-opening the doors. We are excited at this prospect and anticipate that many, not all, will come back together for worship on this first day.
Pl
ease be clear: we have never been closed; the doors being opened is a new breath of life we can share and rejoice in as God’s people. Although we will be seeing familiar faces again, be assured that things won’t look nor feel “normal.” There will be changes in place as we all do our part to keep a social distance and ease back into being together.
Our church leadership has been making preparations for this day and have developed the following recommendations:
+ The first and highest recommendation: if you feeling ill or showing some signs of the symptoms of the virus, you are requested to care for yourself and others by remaining home.
+Checking in is essential. This includes:
–Signing the attendance list clipboard. The list is required so that tracing is accurate just in case of someone being diagnosed with the virus.
–Being asked questions about how you’re feeling today
–Having your temperature taken with a no-touch thermometer. Anything 100 degrees or higher means you will be asked to return home.
+ Masks are to be worn, even when singing. The exceptions will be for presiding and assisting ministers, as well as readers, but only when speaking.
+ Maintain social distancing (6 feet) in the building (when sitting) and on the property (in chairs). Family units can sit together, but in small numbers (4-5), with the exception of families including children of “one-household”. Tape will mark the areas permitted for seating and block off the remainder.
+ Entering the building will be by one clearly-marked door and exiting will be by another clearly-marked door.
+ Hand washing will be recommended when arriving either with water in bathrooms or at hand-cleanser stations. Tissues and trash buckets will be available in the narthex.
+ No more than 1 person at a time in the bathrooms, unless assisting another person.
+ Although greeting and affection will be sought especially after this long time away, please refrain from hugs, and minimize handshaking. Cleansing hands often will also be needed.
+ Communion will be carefully prepared and administered for individual consumption.
Because of the cooler (and often rainy) weather, our in-person worship is now held in the sanctuary. The service of worship will be a shorter interval of time than traditional.
Looking forward to gathering with you all once again!
Welcome – and thank you for finding our website!
The people of our faith community and I warmly welcome you and are glad you have found us. God is on the move among us – and you’re invited to join our journey!
We gather on Sundays at 9 a.m. to hear God’s Word, sing, pray, and celebrate the Lord’s Supper together. A time of singing begins ten minutes before the service (except during Advent and Lent). Coffee and conversation as well as education classes for all ages follow our worship. Our prayer is that you will find Elim to be a place of rest, refreshment and renewal as together we take God’s message of love and grace out into the world.
The gifts of God are FOR ALL!
Pastor Chris Nolte
Read about our current happenings here.
