We have made the difficult decision to cancel, postpone or
reshape all programming at Christ the Servant through Sunday, April 5th
based on recommendations from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health.
This is a bold act of love that aligns us with the best efforts of our larger
community, state and nation to ensure the health of all who live here.
Here’s what that means:
· There will be no meetings
or gatherings of our church leaders, teams, worship, or outside groups at our
facility between today, Friday, March 20th and Sunday, April 5th.
· Worship on Sundays and
Wednesdays between March 22nd and April 5th will be
livestreamed. You may join the livestream in multiple ways and find links on our
website to connect online (please bear with us as we continue to work out technical issues):
- Facebook Live
- Direct Feed Video Livestream
- Online Church Interactive Format
- Zoom Interactive Video Conference (to connect by telephone for audio only call1-312-626-6799 – When Prompted Enter Meeting ID: 667 716 5345)
We will use the same Zoom link and information above for:
- Fellowship time on Sundays immediately following worship.
- Youth Group Check-In on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
- Bible study on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
- Personal
or group conversations upon request (if you would like to speak with Pastor
Chris or use the video conference for a group conversation, email pastorchris@cslcvh.org to schedule
a time).
· Critical assistance
ministries will continue in a reduced and precautionary format.
- Bread
Distribution on Tuesdays will continue on a limited basis with pick up
outside.
- The scheduled blood drive on Monday, March 23rd 2:00-7:00 p.m. will continue in order to assist the Red Cross and those in desperate need of blood during a time of unprecedented cancellations. The Red Cross has established strict precautionary measures in order to abide by CDC and MNDH guidelines. The schedule is full, but if you would like to be on standby as a donor please email lois@cslcvh.org.
- Members of our community continue to be in need of emergency food assistance and essential supplies. We encourage everyone to give directly to the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf at 1884 Whitaker Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110. For more information call (651) 407-5310 or visit whitebearfoodshelf.org.
This is a rapidly changing situation, so we are making decisions
week by week. We will continue to evaluate recommendations of the CDC and
the Minnesota Department of Health to make a determination about what to do
after April 5th.
We are always concerned about those in our community who are
vulnerable. If you are in need of assistance, or aware of someone in our
community who needs help during this health crisis, please contact us. It
is critical that as a community we continue to care for each other, especially
the vulnerable. Over the next two weeks, the Christ the Servant leaders will be
calling every family in the congregation to check in, to ask if there are
prayer requests, and to see if there is some way that we can be of assistance to
one another during stressful times. If you are interested in being a part
of our “Calling Team” to check in with people, please contact the church office
(651-429-6595). While there will be no staff keeping regular office hours, the voicemail
is being checked regularly and we will return your call as soon as possible. You
may also email us at office@cslcvh.org. If you have a pastoral emergency or need, please call Pastor
Chris Steubing at 651-335-0256.
Communications through the end of April will focus on our weekly
eNewsletter (this will be mailed out to those without email), updates
through social media, the Christ the Servant website, and my
blog. Because things are changing so quickly with our schedule, we will
not be sending out the April Cross and Cradle Newsletter. Instead we will
rely on these quicker forms of communication.
We are so grateful to all of you for continuing to support the
church and its ministries through your regular financial giving. Your
generosity is so important during this health crisis for continuing the
congregation’s many commitments, sustaining Christ the Servant’s operations, and
to support our partner ministries who are doing important work caring for those
in need.
We have options for people continuing to give during this time
when we will not be gathering at the Christ the Servant building:
· Checks can be sent to Christ
the Servant Lutheran Church 3676 Centerville Road, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127.
· Options to give
electronically as a one-time or recurring online gift and through
“text-to-give” can be found at https://www.cslcvh.org/tithe/.
Finally, being scattered into our own homes does not mean that
we cannot be church together. We will be setting up extended family size groups
of 20-40 people called “Missional Communities” with leaders designated to reach
out to support, encourage, and engage their group. You will be invited to
actively participate in one of these Missional Communities so that we can all
continue encountering God, loving one another, and reaching the world as a spiritual
family on mission regardless of our location. God is good. All the time.
In Christ
Pastor Chris Steubing & Church Council
May God's blessing be on everyone through this trying time.
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