Worship Services

Dear Church Family,

      As you know COVID-19 cases are increasing, once again. With the new variant, the virus is spreading at an alarming rate. This wave comes at a time where many are traveling for the holidays and colder weather has moved us indoors. It is my hope and prayer that we continue to worship together in safe and meaningful ways.

      In efforts to decrease risk, in consultation with healthcare professionals, we are making a few changes for worship. We plan on having both of our Christmas Eve services at 7pm and 11pm with in-person attendance. Both services will also be live-streamed on Facebook. The livestream service can be accessed here. We have been blessed with a professional videographer, providing us with a high-quality service online. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19: essentially any upper respiratory signs, runny nose, conjunctivitis, cough, post nasal drip, fever, headache, congestion, loss of smell/taste, diarrhea, nausea, aches, please take the opportunity to worship online. It is believed the symptoms with the new variant are milder, but transmission is easier. Please take precautions.

      For in-person worship, we will be going back to using the prepackaged communion cups for the 11 o’clock service. We will not be passing the offering plates during worship. They will be placed near the front and back entrances, we are away thankful for your giving. As per New York State mandates masking is required. We also ask that everyone continue to sign in for contact tracing. We encourage families to social distance within the sanctuary as possible. These are not new to us. I love and desire in-person worship. It is my hope that doing these small things keep us safe as we enjoy being together.

     We have other tools to help us as we continue through this time. Vaccines are a great tool. The risks of infections, the severity of illness, and death all decrease with vaccinations. Boosters are available. This  provides another layer of protection. I received my booster this week, at CVS in Skaneateles, walk-in with no appointment, 15 minutes and I was done. I was told CVS will be doing walk-ins for at least a few more weeks. Vaccines are available for everyone ages 5 and up. If you can safely receive a vaccine, I hope and pray you strongly consider doing so. We take these precautions not just for ourself, we do them for our neighbor, and our healthcare workers.

     My dear friends, I know this has been a trying time, filled with moments of frustration, anger, hopelessness, and grief. I feel all of this too. Let us continue on, as we have for the past two years. We care for one another. We love one another. We try to keep everyone healthy and safe. It is Christmas, we have reasons to celebrate. Let us look to the heavens in hope, basking in the light from above. Hear the proclamation of the angels “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to all!”

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Mike