COVID exposure and Sunday, October 24

Greetings in the name of our Savior,

Earlier, I sent an email out that Laura was experiencing the symptoms for COVID. Her test came back positive, which was not a surprise. Her most pronounced symptom right now is fatigue, so she is getting as much rest as she can.

Since I have been exposed, we are taking proper precautions in order to avoid infecting as many as possible. Based on conversations with the Church Council, the schedule for Sunday is as follows. Scheduling beyond Sunday will be determined later.

Sunday School will meet at 8:45 AM.

Adult Bible Class will meet at 8:45 AM. I will not be present, but will provide a self-study which covers a portion of the Bible and allows for conversation among participants.

Divine Service will be at 10:00 AM.

I will preside over the service but will remain as far from the congregation as possible. We will not have Holy Communion, so there will not be close contact at the altar. I will remain in the sacristy prior to the service and will return there following the service so that I do not interact with anyone.

Catechism Class will be 3:00-4:30 PM via Zoom. I will send out the links later.

Currently, I am not experiencing any symptoms of COVID, and I am keeping my distance from Laura. For this reason and because I have been vaccinated, it was deemed safe for me to lead the service. If you feel it is safest for you to stay away, follow our worship on our Facebook Live stream. (Search for Good Shepherd Lutheran Novi on Facebook and you should find us.)

In the event that I come down with COVID symptoms before Sunday, I will stay away from church altogether and the elders will lead the service, following The Service of the Word (page 38).

This information should enable you to make your plans accordingly for the Sunday service. By keeping you aware of our procedures, we are trying to avoid upsetting anyone. If anything should change, you will be notified. If you have questions or concerns, you are welcome to voice them at welsnovi@aol.com or to any of our Church Council officers.

God bless and keep you.

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

COVID-19 Survey -- for clarification of our worship schedule

Greetings in the name of our Savior!

About two weeks ago or so, I had sent out a survey about people and their readiness to return to church for in-person worship, understanding that we would be practicing social distancing.  Initial responses had 44 who said they were ready to return to worship.  Another 15 said they would be ready to return either after Memorial Day weekend or after the official stay-at-home order had lapsed.  The stay-at-home order has been pushed out to June 12, but we are past Memorial Day weekend.  So, the number of additional worshipers we could expect is anywhere from 0-15.

Originally, it was looking like the potential for about 60 worshipers to be attending on Sundays.  While I think we could accommodate 40 worshipers and still observe social distancing, with 60 we would need to have two services.  Survey results determined that service times of 8:30 & 10:00 AM would serve our congregation best.

Over the past two Sundays, attendance was 24 (May 17) and 20 (May 24).  This, of course, is well below the 44 who said they were ready to return immediately.  And if those who said they will wait to return after the stay-at-home order is lifted choose to wait, we really have no need for an additional service.  Or do we?  I don't know.

I am seeking input so that I can know best how to serve Good Shepherd.  In order to determine what our schedule is and what service times will meet our needs, please respond to this survey.  I will also be making phone calls tonight (Tuesday, May 26) to gather all the information I can so that I can set the schedule.  

In responding to this survey, please copy and paste it and send it to welsnovi@aol.com.  

Whatever your answer is for question #1 is fine.  Everyone has their reasons for their decisions, and I will not judge you for where your comfort level is with the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are all to be seeking the good of each other in love, not assuming the worst of others whose decisions differ from our own.  So, please answer what you honestly plan to do.  It is not helpful to have people answer what they think I want to hear.

SURVEY

     1.  Are you ready to return to church for Divine Services?

a)  Yes.  Count on me from here on out.

b)  Probably after the stay-at-home order is done (June 12, as of this writing).  

c)  Not quite yet; please be patient with me.  

     2.  How many people will be coming from your home?

     3.  My name is ___________________________________.

Once we add the 8:30 AM service, it will be fixed for the summer months.  We can't go back and forth with a schedule that makes it impossible for people to know what service times will be.  So, we are either in or out.  Your responses help to determine that.  Finally, we will continue with Facebook Live streaming and YouTube posts for the foreseeable future.  If you are not ready to come for in-person worship, please find us there.  (And share it with friends!  This is the easiest way for people to check out our church.)  Private Communion is always available by request; call or text (248-719-5218).

God bless and keep you.

In Christ,

Pastor Schroeder

MLS Graduation for Philip

This weekend, Philip graduated from Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw.  Philip is the fifth graduate among the Schroeders from MLS in the past seven years.  And for the first time since 2009, we will not be making trips to MLS to watch our children play sports, sing in the choirs, etc....

Philip, like all other seniors in 2020, ended his senior year in disappointing quarantine status with online classes since March 13.  The worst of it, at least for Philip, was being robbed of these final months with his classmates.  He did not even really get to say goodbye to them.  When you live with these people in dormitories for four years, this abrupt end is particularly hard.  All in all, Philip has handled it exceptionally well.  And if there is good news to be had, many of his classmates are expecting to be in New Ulm, Minnesota next fall at Martin Luther College.  God willing, he will move into the dorms and attend classes live and in person next fall.

Philip was awarded a few scholarships.  Most noteworthy is that Philip is the first recipient of the Hannah M. Kieta Memorial Scholarship.  Hannah was a classmate of Faith and was killed in a car accident last August.  Hannah excelled in German, and the scholarship was awarded to Philip who intends to continue studying German at MLC next year.

Because of the COVID-19 lockdown, we had to watch Philip's graduation in virtual fashion.  We met in our church and watched it projected on the big screen.  You can watch the virtual graduation here:

We are quite proud of Philip and his accomplishments, even though his senior year was certainly a strange year with unexpected challenges--beginning with a football season that lasted 15 minutes because of an injury on the first day of practice to ending with a stay-at-home quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In any case, here are some photos related to Philip's graduation.  (Hat tip to Vanessa Hose for taking the family photo.  Thanks!)

Philip with the MLS Class of 2020.

The classic "A boy loves his mother" photo, a graduation tradition of each Schroeder boy.

MLS alumni -- Classes of 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013, and 1988.

Worship -- Social Distance Style

Here is what we are set up to for in worship tomorrow at 10:00 AM.  We will be asking family units to be spread out by 3 chairs to maintain 6 feet between them.  Awkward and different?  Yes.  But far better than nothing.

A Pastoral Concern: A Return to Church amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Greetings in the name of our Savior,
who, regardless of circumstances in our world,
lives and reigns over all things for the good of his Church, his redeemed!

Dear members and friends of Good Shepherd,

In conjunction with the Church Council, I am trying to navigate what is best for our congregation and for our community as we consider a return to regular Divine Services.  I do not want to give the impression that we don't care about any potential spread of COVID-19 by flooding the church with people, but I also don't want to give the impression that God's word and sacraments are dispensable.  Nor do I want anyone to cast judgment on anyone else about where their comfort level is with returning to church.  If you are ready to come back to church, you should not be judged as reckless.  If you are not ready to come back to church yet, you should not be judged as lacking in faith.  Everyone has their reasons for their decisions, and we should respect that people have given prayerful consideration to these things and are acting as they deem best.  We shall try to remain sensitive to both sides of this.

Based on numerous discussions with members and amongst the Church Council, it has been decided to open up the church once again for regular Divine Services at 10:00 AM on Sundays.  What has changed to lead to this decision?  First, we were urged to stay home in order to flatten the curve of those who are contracting COVID-19.  That has happened.  Secondly, a recent executive order from Governor Whitmer explicitly stated the following:

Nothing in this order should be taken to supersede another executive order or directive that is in effect, except to the extent this order imposes more stringent limitations on in-person work, activities, and interactions. Consistent with prior guidance, neither a place of religious worship nor its owner is subject to penalty under section 20 of this order for allowing religious worship at such place. No individual is subject to penalty under section 20 of this order for engaging in or traveling to engage in religious worship at a place of religious worship, or for violating section 15(a) of this order.  (Executive Order 2020-77, paragraph 16; May 7, 2020 – https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-528460--,00.html )

Since this has been made clear and since the curve has been flattening for almost a month, we deemed it to be acceptable to resume Divine Services for our members who are comfortable with attending with others.  We will resume Divine Services for all our members beginning Sunday, May 17 at 10:00 AM.  Sunday School & Sunday morning Bible Class will resume in September, God willing.

I aim to conduct services with as few risks as possible to allow for as many people to come as possible.  If you choose to come on Sunday morning, you should be aware of what you can expect when you arrive, as well as what will be expected of you to ensure as secure an environment as possible.  

– You will be expected to wear masks, as recommended by the CDC.  You must bring your own from home.  Since I will be more than 6 feet away from worshipers, the consensus was that I do not need to wear a mask while conducting the service.  I will, however, be sure to wear a mask before and after services, and while conducting Holy Communion after the live-stream has ended.

– The chairs will be spaced out to create social distancing.  Family units, however, will be clustered together.

– There will be a door man at the front door.  This way, only one person has to touch the door.  There may also be a greeter at the end of the sidewalk to assure that people remain spaced out as they enter the church.

– An usher will assure that seating in the chapel maintains the six-foot social distancing guideline.  For dismissal, those closest to the door will go first and then others will be dismissed in stages.

– Since there will be only one service at 10:00 AM, the hymnals can be used.  Any contagions will have become inactive before the next week's service.  If we should have to offer more than one service to accommodate everyone (that would be a happy problem!), we will have everything printed in the bulletin which you will take with you when you leave.  It seems fairly likely that we will add an 8:30 AM service after Memorial Day weekend, as several members have indicated they are likely to return once the official stay-at-home mandate has expired (which, as of this writing, is May 28).  I will inform you if the 8:30 AM service will be put into place by email.  You may always call the church to make sure, too.

– The use of the bathrooms may cause some challenges.  Propping the doors open is not really a solution.  People will inevitably run into each other as they come out of the bathroom into the hallway.  But if you are willing to come to church to begin with, I imagine you will not freak out if you bump into another human being.  To avoid touching the door handle, you may use the paper towel you used to dry your hands to protect your hand from the door handle.  A trash receptacle will be in the hallway to discard the paper towel.

– The offering plate will remain by the ushers' station.

– The chapel doors will remain propped open.  If your conversation with fellow members becomes more drawn out than greetings (and who could blame you?), please have your conversations in the fellowship hall or outside, as the noise tends to funnel right into the chapel.

– We will be prepared to broadcast the service on the large screen in the fellowship hall if the chapel is too small to accommodate people and still maintain social distancing.

–  For as long as people remain reluctant to come to church, we will live-stream on Facebook Live.  Services will also be posted on YouTube.  Facebook Live at 10:00 AM will continue for the foreseeable future.  We will continue to post services on YouTube as standard practice.

– We will continue to follow The Common Service without Holy Communion on our live-feed.  Once the recording has stopped, those who are in attendance may stay for a brief service of Holy Communion. Holy Communion will be limited to three people spaced out on each side of the altar.  (Families from the same household may crowd the railing more tightly.)  To limit contact, people will remain standing at the railing rather than kneel on the railing.  I will sanitize his hands between tables.  If the six foot separation for communion is deemed necessary, I will place the elements on the communion railing, stand at a distance, and invite the reception of the Lord's Supper (i.e., “The body of Christ <Amen>, given for you. The blood of Christ <Amen>, shed for you.”).

– For the time being, I do not anticipate people will need to register for a service time.  If it becomes necessary, I will keep you updated.

I thank you for your responses to the survey that was sent out.  This makes it much easier to plan for our Divine Services and helps us to avoid many unpleasant surprises.  We may still have some surprises that we will need to address, but I trust that we are all seeking the good of each other and will demonstrate patience along the way.

Keep on praying for one another and for others who are enduring this pandemic.  If there is anything more I can be doing to serve you during this strange time, please let me know.  

God bless and keep you.

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

A Pastoral Concern re: COVID-19 and Holy Week

NOTE: This congregational letter is also being  mailed out to all our members and prospective members as not everyone sees this blog, looks at the email blast, or has Facebook.

Greetings in the name of our Savior!

It was strange to have to suspend our Divine Services a few weeks ago.  We have made the most of it by offering Facebook Live broadcasts of our services and by putting recorded services on YouTube (search for “Good Shepherd Novi” and they will pop right up).  I also encourage you to make use of your time with your family to have home devotions.  God's people should make it a priority to talk about God's word, and by making it a part of the family conversation (perhaps after supper) you get to build each other up.  While we often use our busy schedules as an excuse for failing to do this, most of us have the time to do it now.  Make the most of this time!  For an order of service you can follow, look to www.GoodShepherdNovi.org under the COVID-19 quarantine resources.  Tweak it as you see fit.  If you should desire other materials, call the church office and request it.

If it is strange to have services suspended in general, it will feel especially out of place during Holy Week.  Based on the input of several nurses who are seeing first-hand the effects of COVID-19, based on the fact that we seem to be adding 1,000 cases of COVID-19 to Michigan on a daily basis, and based on the fact that I am not willing to risk the spread of COVID-19 to our members no matter how bold they feel, I cannot in good conscience open the doors to everyone who desires to be in God's house throughout Holy Week, even on Easter Sunday.  We are continuing to observe the 5th Commandment: “We should fear and love God that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need.”  But we will most certainly honor the 3rd Commandment: “We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and his word, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.”  Therefore, we will still have Holy Week services (schedule at the end of this letter) on Facebook Live and posted to YouTube, but we will not be able to meet together as a whole congregation.  Bulletins and hymns for each service can be found through links on our church's web site: www.GoodShepherdNovi.org .

While we must endure this cross for the foreseeable future, how glorious it will be when we all gather together again!  We will keep you informed about when that service will be, and we will make it an exceptional day of thanksgiving and celebration.  

Our services are centered on Word and Sacrament.  I am able to administer the Word over the internet (although it is a weak substitute for real, personal proclamation), but not the Sacrament.  Therefore, many of us are observing a fast from the Lord's Supper.  This is not done by our choosing, but out of difficult circumstances.  Still, there are ways you can partake of the body and blood of Christ for the strengthening of faith and for the assurance of forgiveness.  Your pastor is here to serve you, as best as he can, by administering the sacrament to you in a small or even private setting.  

There is a schedule for you to come for Holy Communion during Holy Week at the end of this letter.  To reduce the risk of COVID-19 as much as possible, we will adopt the following protocol.

– Call me from the sidewalk when you arrive.  I will open the door for you so that you do not have to touch the handle.  The door to the chapel will already be propped open.  If you choose to wash your hands as soon as you come in, use the kitchen sink.  This will enable you to wash your hands and avoid touching a door handle immediately after you have washed.
– I will limit the number of people who come in for a service to no more than ten who will be asked to space themselves out in the chapel.  If you happen to arrive and see a number of cars in the parking lot, please be patient and wait until the previous visitors leave.  Understand that I will not be able to take your phone call if I am conducting a service.  If you want to come inside and wait, you may go to the fellowship hall.  I will try to keep the door handle disinfected, but if several people choose to come in together while a service is going on, I will not be able to wipe the door handle down while I am conducting the service.
– Take a bulletin labeled “Order of Service for Shut-Ins.”  This order of service will be only 7-10 minutes.  The bulletin you take will be strictly for your use.  Take it home when you leave.
– When you come for Holy Communion, we will limit the tables to three people on each side of the altar.  Spread out.  You will take the host in your hand.  You may choose between the individual cup or the common cup.  Studies have shown that the risk of spreading disease through the common cup is minimal.  It will be washed thoroughly after each use.
– When you leave, I will either open the door for you, or you may back out to avoid touching the door with your hands.
– Any handles on doors, faucets, toilets, etc... which would have been touched during someone's visit into the church will be disinfected after they leave.  As much as possible, I will do what I can to limit any risks to people who come in for the Lord's gifts.

If you receive this letter in the mail, you will find some self-addressed stamped envelopes which you can use to send your offerings into church.  While we may not be meeting together, expenses have not ceased.  We especially want to remember that the work of our synod continues with training of future pastors and teachers as well as with missionaries in the USA and around the world.  Huron Valley Lutheran High School is also continuing with online classes.  Your generous offerings are always beneficial and pleasing to our Lord who remains generous and faithful to us even in challenging times.

If there is anything in particular that I can be doing for you during this COVID-19 isolation, please let me know.  I am willing to come and see you—whether at home or in a hospital.  God bless and keep you.

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Palm Sunday         April 5 at 10 AM
Maundy Thursday         April 9 at 7 PM
Good Friday         April 10 at 7 PM
Easter Sunday         April 12 at 10 AM
Private Communion is available by appointment at any time.
Private Communion is available during Holy Week without appointment at these times:
Monday, April 6         8:00 AM – Noon and 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Thursday, April 9  8:00 AM – Noon
Friday, April 10         8:00 AM – Noon
Saturday, April 11 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Something from ... Luther on bearing sufferings as a Christian

I ran across this today, and it seemed to resonate with all of the frustrations we are enduring through the COVID-19 pandemic.  Still, in the history of Christendom, the cross we are asked to bear due to the COVID-19 pandemic is minimal compared to what others have had to suffer.  The point of comparison is not how bad we have it, but the goodness of God's promises which sustain us and provide us comfort through it. 

Here is something from Martin Luther.

"So in our suffering we should so act that we give our greatest attention to the promise, in order that our cross and affliction may be turned to good, to something which we could never have asked or thought.  And this is precisely the thing which makes a difference between the Christian's suffering and afflictions and those of all other men.  For other people also have their afflictions, cross, and misfortune, just as they also have their times when they can sit in the rose garden and employ their good fortune and their goods as they please.  But when they run into affliction and suffering, they have nothing to comfort them, for they do not have the mighty promises and the confidence in God which Christians have.  Therefore they cannot comfort themselves with the assurance that God will help them to bear the affliction, much less can they count on it that he will turn their affliction and suffering to good." (Martin Luther, "Sermon at Coburg on Cross and Suffering, 1530; p 201, Luther's Works: American Edition.  Volume 51 (Sermons I); Fortress Press: Philadelphia, PA.  1959.)

Things that make me go ARRRRGGGGHHHH ... on ministering to the dying

Something from ... Martin Luther on ministering to the dying

Pastors serve the sick and dying.  Those who are sick and dying are often plagued by fear, doubt, and guilt.  There is no doubt that the devil shows up at the deathbed of many Christians for one final onslaught of accusations and taunting to cast doubt about God's love and their salvation.  Therefore, the pastor comes with prayer for strength, with God's promises for the assurance that the devil is a liar about our sins (he says they stand against us; Christ says they are forgiven), and with the holy sacrament by which the dying Christian will receive the body and blood of Christ which has conquered death and forgives sins.  This is no small matter, especially when death is at hand.  This is when the fears, doubts, and guilt of the Christian are usually the most intense.  They need their pastor.  Most Christians know this, and the pastor comes as soon as he is summoned.

I would like to say that it always happens this way.  It does not.  I am not surprised when unbelievers feel no need for such things.  They did not care their whole life long.  Why would it matter now?  As one of our former members who served as a hospice nurse used to tell me, "They die like they live."

But one thing that makes me go, "ARRRRGGGGHHHH!" is when people who claim that they are Christians do not call the pastor at any point in during the illness--or even to the deathbed when they know death is imminent!  When your loved one enters hospice, you know he is going to die; and by that point he is often already unresponsive.  When you wait until your loved one is unconscious, comatose, or dead, what do you expect the pastor to do???  Do people really think the mere presence of the pastor grants salvation?  Or that they should get credit before God because, even though his word was an afterthought, they thought of it at all?

As pastoral advice: To whomever is reading this--I beg and plead with you to heed the word of the prophet: "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)  The pastor truly wants to declare God's mercy and forgiveness to the sick and dying.  But once a person is dead, his time of grace is done.  There is no more hope.  If you don't want to face that possibility, then beg a pastor to come to you.  If you refuse, you have forfeited your right to get angry with the pastor who must tell you that he will not preside over the funeral of one whose faith he never heard confessed.  The pastor does not bear the responsibility for someone else's negligence.  But he is most assuredly grieved by it.  

And in case I actually have to say it: Do not wait until you are sick or dying to care about this.  Many don't know when their death will come.

Here is something from Luther on serving the sick and dying, and he expresses a similar frustration for those who neglected God's word until it was too late.  I guess Luther knew how to say, "ARRRRGGGGHHHH!" too.

“If someone wants the chaplain or pastor to come, let the sick person send word in time to call him and let him do so early enough while he is still in his right mind before the illness overwhelms the patient.  The reason I say this is that some are so negligent that they make no request and send no message until the soul is perched for flight on the tip of their tongues and they are no longer rational or able to speak.  Then we are told, 'Dear Sir, say the very best you can to him,' etc.  But earlier, when the illness first began, they wanted no visit from the pastor, but would say, 'Oh, there's no need.  I hope he'll get better,'  What should a diligent pastor do with such people who neglect both body and soul?  They live and die like beasts in the field.  They want us to teach them the gospel at the last minute and administer the sacrament to them as they were accustomed to it under the papacy when nobody asked whether they believed or understood the gospel but just stuffed the sacrament down their throats as if into a bread bag.


“This won't do.  If someone cannot talk or indicate by a sign that he believes, understands, and desires the sacrament—particularly if he has willfully neglected it—we will not give it to him just anytime he asks for it.  We have been commanded not to offer the holy sacrament to unbelievers but rather to believers who can state and confess their faith.  Let the others alone in their unbelief; we are guiltless because we have not been slothful in preaching, teaching, exhortation, consolation, visitation, or in anything else that pertains to our ministry and office.  This, in brief, is our instruction and what we practice here.” (Martin Luther, “Whether One May Flee from Deadly Plague,” 1527)

Prayer of Supplication during the COVID-19 pandemic

SUPPLICATION DURING 

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Almighty God, merciful Father, our ever-present help in time of trouble, once again we have come to realize that your thoughts are not our thoughts, your ways are not our ways.  In your wisdom, you have permitted a highly contagious virus to cause fear and panic, pain and loss.  Do not let the hearts of your people despair, but sustain and comfort them.

Grant health, wisdom, and courage to all governing officials so that they may serve in their offices to maintain order in society, to provide for the care and safety of the people they serve, and to prevent unrest and wickedness in a time of crisis.

Grant health, safety, and courage to all doctors, nurses, care-givers, first-responders, and all others who provide care for the sick and the dying.  Protect them from harm, and grant that their skills may be used for the benefit of those they tend to.

Grant all people patience and perseverance as we endure this pandemic.  Bless all who have contracted this virus with healing and strength.  Protect the elderly, the frail, and all others who are especially susceptible to great harm or death.  Guide all people so that they may demonstrate love for their neighbors and seek the good of others.

Keep our hearts and eyes fixed upon you and your promises.  While much in this world remains unsure, and while we are sure that all things in this world will finally pass away, keep us mindful that your word will never pass away and that your mercy endures forever.  Bless us with confidence in your faithful care and comfort in the midst of fears.

Dear Lord, we even pray that you will use this pandemic as an opportunity to make your love and mercy known to a world which is consumed in uncertainty and to hearts that are at unrest.  Make us bold to proclaim the certainty of your promises and to demonstrate your selfless love in all that we do for our fellowman.

Intercessions may be offered.

We ask all these things for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; and trusting in his promises, we are bold to pray as he has taught us:

LORD'S PRAYER

COVID-19 Update: Services will be suspended at Good Shepherd through April 5

Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

In conjunction with the Church Council, after lengthy conversations and deliberate prayer, and in accordance with federal recommendations, we have deemed it best to suspend all gatherings at Good Shepherd of more than 10 people.  We did not come to this conclusion lightly.  State law under the executive order by Governor Gretchen Whitmer states that gatherings of 50 or more is punishable as a misdemeanor.  The federal limit of 10 is a recommendation, but we do not want to treat lightly the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus or worse, to see someone suffer great harm or death as a result of contact at Good Shepherd.  President Trump's recommendation was given in a serious tone, so it compels us to take these things seriously, too.  You may also consider this word of advice from a doctor from Nebraska Medical.  There are many more stories like it.

Therefore, as of this moment, all Divine Services and mid-week Lenten Vespers are suspended until at least April 5.  (We truly hope to offer services during Holy Week.  We will determine this as time and circumstances progress.)

The Christian life and the life of the Church is sustained by God's word and sacraments, so we appreciate our members' desire to receive these things.  Nevertheless, we are also obligated to love our fellow man.  We are obligated to keep the 4th Commandment to honor our authorities.  The goal of their mandates and recommendations is not to forbid Christian teaching, but to provide safety, protection, and health of their citizens.  It is right for us to recognize and honor that.  We are also obligated to honor the 5th Commandment.  Luther's explanation states: "We should fear and love God that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need."  Suspending our services is done so that we do not bring harm to our neighbor.

A message from WELS President, Rev. Mark Schroeder shares many of these thoughts as well: https://wels.net/facing-covid-19-together-a-message-from-our-synod-president/

We are taking steps to see to it that our members will be served as best we can while our public gathering for worship is suspended.  You are strongly encouraged to worship as a family at home.  Suspension of public gathering is not suspension of receiving God's word.  To that end, we offer these thoughts and resources.

WORSHIP AT HOME
Worship materials for home devotions and worship are already available on Good Shepherd's web page.  You can find them here: http://goodshepherdnovi.org/covid-19_quarantine_resources

Sermons will continue to be produced for upcoming Wednesdays and Sundays.  As of this writing, they will only be made available in print form.  I am hoping to put sermons on video, perhaps even full services with prayers and readings.  When sermons are ready for reading or viewing, I will alert you as to where you can find them.  They will be posted on this blog for sure; we are still finding ways to get things on the web page.  Many sermons have already been archived on this blog.  Use the search bar to find a sermon related to the Sunday of the Church Year or to a particular Scripture reading.

One great positive in coming together as a family to worship and pray together is that the family grows stronger.  You will become much more comfortable speaking about the Christian faith with one another and, therefore, be more ready to encourage one another and to confess your faith to others.  You get to talk about God's word, making it the focal point of your day.  That is what God intends anyway, and now we get to be intentional about that.  When you have your family devotions, make it a point to pray for the members you are isolated from, just as they will keep on praying for you.

In addition, you may desire to grow personally by the study of God's word.  Some books might be particularly helpful as people have concerns about disease and death.  You can find books which relate specifically to the questions, fears, and concerns of crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic from Northwestern Publishing House here:
https://wels.net/spiritual-resources-for-uncertain-times/.  Also remember that our church library has many volumes to read through, covering many topics in regard to the Christian faith and life.  The library is a self-check-out system.  Please sign out whatever books you would like to read.  If you've ever lamented that you've never had the time to devote to these things, I am willing to bet that you have the time now.

PASTORAL CARE
While God's word can supplied to you over the internet, Holy Communion cannot.  Therefore, I will be available to offer private devotions, Holy Absolution, and Holy Communion to members in small groups or to individuals.  This can be done by appointment, either at church or at your home.  I will also be available at church without appointment at the schedule here.
     Mondays and Thursdays -- 8:00 AM - Noon; 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Pastor Schroeder plans to contact members by phone each week to check on you and to see if there is any particular needs you have.  If you are in a position where you can help someone who is in need, he will make a note of the help you would be able to provide.  (For example, if a member is quarantined in their own home and cannot get to the store, food and other items would need to be delivered.)

In the event that you (or a loved one) contract the COVID-19 virus, please contact your pastor (248-719-5218).  You have a congregation that desires to pray for you.  I will also do my best to see you even if you have the virus.

EXTRA RESOURCES (WELS)
WELS services from numerous congregations can be live-streamed here: https://yearbook.wels.net/streaming
You can find more devotional materials at Time of Grace here: https://timeofgrace.org/
You can find services podcast from our WELS Radio Hour.  It broadcasts live on Sundays on AM 1500 and FM 92.7 at 10:30 AM.  Podcasts are archived and can be found here: https://faithtalkdetroit.com/radioshow/3389

EXTRA RESOURCES (LCMS)
Although these come from Missouri Synod sources, I have deemed them confessionally solid and recommend them for your consideration.
For sacred music, check out Lutheran Public Radio here: https://lutheranpublicradio.org/
You can also find edifying discussions on various topics from a Lutheran point of view at Issues, Etc. here: https://issuesetc.org/archive/.
And you can find a daily, 15-minute Bible study here: https://thewordendures.org/

PRACTICAL MATTERS
Although services are suspended and people remain at home, we do have obligations to meet financially.  Some bills cannot be suspended.  We ask that you remember to continue your offerings even while you are away.  Missionaries continue to preach the Gospel; they are supported by our offerings.  Our future pastors and teachers are continuing their instruction online; they are supported by our offerings.  HVL's faculty and staff are almost forgotten since they are not on our campus; they are supported by our offerings.  Offerings can be dropped off at church or mailed in.  You may also choose to have offerings given through electronic funds transfer.  For information to set that up, please contact me at welsnovi@aol.com, and I will forward your request to Bob DuBois to get you set up.

Funerals and weddings present a challenge, as they are usually attended by many.  Funerals will have to be limited to immediate family.  Loved ones will have to offer their condolences outside of the funeral.  For anyone who had been planning a wedding, by all means--get married as planned!  The party, however, will have to get delayed.  It should be obvious, but it bears saying: The important matter is the marriage, not the wedding.

Email blasts (which will also be posted in the pastor's blog) will be sent out so that we are all keeping watch over one another.  Most importantly, I want to remind you that God's promises stand firm in all circumstances.  He remains your good and merciful Father in heaven, and he will not lose any of his people.  Neither COVID-19 nor the fear of it can topple Jesus from his throne.  The Lord lives and reigns.  His mercy endures forever.

God bless and keep you.

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

"God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling." (Psalm 46:1-3)

A prayer regarding concerns with COVID-19

All Things Are in Your Hands by pastorstratman

God most high and holy,
all things are in your hands.
Your holy Word invites us
to trust in you
and to be fearless
even when the earth gives way,
when the mountains fall into the sea,
when the waters roar and foam,
when nations are in an uproar,
and even in the valley of the shadow of death.

Hear the cries of your people
as we live in a world full of fear.

With your unlimited power,
with your boundless presence,
with your knowledge of all things,
fill our hearts
with your peace that surpasses understanding.

When things are uncertain,
and crises are unseen,
draw us to you,
to your certain Word and promise,
to your dear Son who suffered for us,
and to your enduring promise
never to leave us or forsake us.

Strengthen,
encourage
and uphold us
in these difficult
and confusing times.

Fill us with faith in you,
with desires to serve our neighbors in love,
and to be strong and take heart
as we wait for you to work your good purpose
for the good of those who love you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, A Collection of Prayers, March 16, 2020, during the COVID-19 / Corona Virus crisis.

copied from: https://acollectionofprayers.com/2020/03/16/all-things-are-in-your-hands/

A Pastoral Concern: A letter regarding Good Shepherd's response to COVID-19

Greetings!

By now, you are well aware of the efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible, such as the suspension of professional and college sports and the closing of schools.  As of this writing, no one has ordered churches to stop meeting.  Quite frankly, I don't think they can ban it; it can only be strongly discouraged.  For better or for worse, we are not a giant group of people.  Any potential spread would be quite limited, especially if those who do not feel well would stay home and get the rest they need.  

We will, however, take some precautionary measures so that we do not put our Lord to the test or cause undue concern from our members.  We will take the following steps to keep our church as healthy as possible.

First, we will suspend all activities which are not specifically word and sacrament.  We will cancel the game night scheduled for Saturday, March 14.  We will cancel the Meet-Your-Neighbor breakfast scheduled for Saturday, March 21.  The Evangelism and Stewardship Committee meetings will be done via email.  Suppers before Lenten dinners will be cancelled.  

Secondly, since the life of the Church depends upon its connection to Jesus Christ, and since Jesus Christ comes to us only through the word and sacraments, Good Shepherd will continue to have Divine Services as regularly scheduled.  For our services, we are implementing the following precautions:

     1)  We will suspend hand-shaking, particularly as the pastor greets people at the end of the service.

     2)  We will suspend the passing of the plate for the collection of the offering.  Instead, we will leave a plate near the ushers' station for people to drop off their offering as they enter or as they leave.

     3)  We will try to make hand sanitizer available for people to use as they please.  (This may be hard to promise, as the hand sanitizers are getting harder to find.)

     4)  The pastor will wash his hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before the distribution of Holy Communion.  In regards to the common cup, there is no reason to suspend it, as many scientific tests have confirmed that the transfer of communicable diseases through the common cup are negligible.  For more thoughts on this, please see this blog post (http://lutheransubject.blogspot.com/2020/03/a-pastoral-concern-church-militant.html ).

If you should become ill due to the COVID-19 virus, please contact the pastor (248-719-5218, call or text), particularly if your situation becomes dire.  He will still provide pastoral care.

If you must worship from home, I commend to you several options.

1)  Check out the pastor's blog to read through a sermon.  If you have a hymnal, use the "General Devotion" order on page 150.  The lessons for each Sunday are also listed on page 163.

2)  Looking up a church service online can be done in an emergency situation, such as quarantine.  Please be aware that they are easy to find, but that they may not be trust-worthy, even if they bear the name "Lutheran."  One that I can recommend would be found here: https://www.trinitywaukesha.com/services or here: http://www.trinitywatertown.net/learning-opportunities/sermons/.  NOTE: These are for emergency situations.  The internet cannot replace real, live worship with real, live people, just as Skyping your loved ones is not the same as having them with you. 

3)  You can find comfort from hymns that were written by people who also were enduring great trials.  Many of them are found in the "Trust" section of the hymnal (hymns 441-451).  The Lenten hymns are always good, too.  For an example of some hymn stanzas which courageously confess the Christian faith, check out this blog post.

4)  The WELS Radio Hour broadcasts every Sunday at 10:30 AM on AM 1500 and FM 92.7.  You can also find podcasts here.

God bless you and keep you.

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

A Pastoral Concern: The Church Militant and Fight Songs

The concern over the coronavirus (COVID-19) is a constant topic.  Perhaps that has made it overwhelming for you.  It is understandable.  It seems we cannot go anywhere where people are not talking about it, taking steps to prevent its spread, or escalating into bunker mentality. 

If we can find a blessing in it, it is that a virus has exposed the reality of life to many people who lived in blissful ignorance for too long.  Here is the reality: Everyone is going to die and we don't know when that will be.  No one has been guaranteed a set number of years.  We are always one heart beat away from death--or in this case, one handshake or one dirty door handle.  Death is the enemy, and we don't know where he will strike.

For those in the Church Militant, we have always known our enemy.  Death is the enemy, and sin is the weapon by which it inflicts its mortal blow.  Sin has corrupted our world, producing with it viruses, sickness, fear, and death.  The world only recognizes viruses, sickness, fear, and death.  The prayers of many people is for solutions to the virus and sickness so that they don't have to deal with fear and death.  But we know that even healthy people can go to hell.  The coronavirus does not send anyone to hell.  Sin does.

But that is why we flee to our Savior again and again.  We know that Jesus is our solution to sin--and therefore delivers us from death and damnation.  He is the ever-living victor over death.  He is the one who washes away our sin through Holy Baptism.  He keeps us pure by his words of admonition, encouragement, and peace.  The Church Militant rallies to the standard: Jesus.  Only in Jesus, who comes to us in word and sacraments, are we saved from sin and death. Only in Jesus will we endure viruses and sickness without fear. 

As the Church Militant, we also have our fight songs.  In addition to hearing God's promises and offering up our prayers, we sing our fight songs in the presence of our enemies to mock them.  The hymnal is full of them.  If you find yourself being overwhelmed by all the talk of COVID-19, then it is time to raise up the fight songs, and even better if you can join in with fellow Christians who are your comrades in arms in the Church Militant. 

Here are just a few stanzas of fight songs from our hymnal:

Why should cross and trial grieve me?
   Christ is near With his cheer;
      Never will he leave me.
Who can rob me of the heaven
   That God's Son, For me won
      When his life was given?
          (CW 428:1; Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me, by Paul Gerhardt)

What God ordains is always good;
   This truth remains unshaken.
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
   I shall not be forsaken.
I fear no harm, For with his arm
   He will embrace and shield me;
      So to my God I yield me.
          (CW 429:5; What God Ordains Is Always Good, by Samuel Rodigast)

Through Jesus' blood and merit I am at peace with God;
   What, then, can daunt my spirit, However dark my road?
My courage shall not fail me, For God is on my side;
   Though hell itself assail me, Its rage I may deride.
          (CW 445:1; Though Jesus' Blood and Merit; by Simon Dach)

Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ!
   Drop your ugly accusation; I am not so soon enticed.
Now that to the font I've traveled, All your might has come unraveled,
   And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!

Death, you cannot end my gladness: I am baptized into Christ!
   When I die, I leave all sadness To inherit paradise!
Though I lie in dust and ashes Faith's assurance brightly flashes;
   Baptism has the strength divine To make life immortal mine.
          (CWS 737:3,4;  God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It, by Erdmann Neumeister)

If you are feeling well, join us at 10:00 AM on Sundays and rally around the standard--Jesus Christ.  Jesus will serve us with words of promise and with the heavenly feast.  And God's people will join in our fight songs for mutual encouragement.  If you are ill, contact your pastor to see how he can serve you, especially if your situation becomes dire.

A Pastoral Concern: The Church Militant, Pastoral Care, and the Coronavirus

So much can be said about the current concerns with the coronavirus.  One article is here at the blog of Gene E. Veith.  It is hard to be concise when addressing pastoral concerns and allaying the fears of members, but here goes.  Please pardon me if this rambles.

The first thing we are all to remember is that we are the redeemed children of God.  That means we remain in God's care at all times and in all circumstances.  God is quite aware that the coronavirus is going around the world and has many concerned and fearful.  God knows that the world has been corrupted and that disease is common.  Just ask generations past about the Plague, small pox, and malaria.  While these diseases may have brought many lives to a swift end, none of them has removed a person from the kingdom of God.  Whoever believes in Jesus will live, even though he dies; and some are brought into everlasting glory and peace through diseases.  But we look for the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting--whether we die by disease, disaster, or peacefully in our beds at 95 years old.  We are redeemed children of God.  We are safe and secure in God's Church and in Jesus' care.  Fear not.

But we are in the Church Militant.  We continue to fight daily against the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh.  The devil uses the troubles of this world (including the coronavirus) to instill fear and panic in us.  Our own sinful flesh is an ally.  We are tempted to use sickness and disease as excuses for avoiding Christ, his word, and his sacraments.  While common sense tells us to stay home when we are ill, it is fear and panic which causes us to avoid the Church.  The fact is, we are in the Church Militant.  We struggle.  We battle.  We fight against sin and temptation.  And we cannot stand on our own.  The very fact that we are going to die ought to have us recognize that we need something outside of ourselves to sustain our faith, to stand against sin and temptation, and to overcome death.  God has granted it!--the word and the sacraments.  Our fears ought not keep us away from the Church; they ought to drive us to the altar of our Lord with great zeal and urgency for our comfort.  We are in the Church Militant, and no one gets out of it alive.  Our hope and victory come only through Jesus, and he comes to us only in the word and the sacraments.  Therefore, as much as it remains in our power, we will gather for worship for the forgiveness of sins, for comfort in our fears, and for strength to continue the battle.

Still, there are some practical concerns about the spread of disease.  Much of these concerns are easily addressed.  Wash your hands, a lot.  Stay home when you are sick.  Do you want to avoid shaking hands?  Fine.  Many do that when they are nursing a cold anyway.  Wear a mask?  If you think it helps, go ahead.  There is nothing wrong with caution, as long as caution is not driven by panic.


What about other concerns, such as the use of the Common Cup in Holy Communion?  For centuries, the Christian Church used only the Common Cup for Holy Communion.  And the Church has survived many epidemics along the way.  I recall the AIDS scare is what introduced the individual cups into our usage--again, driven by panic rather than information.  The fact is, many studies have demonstrated that the Common Cup is not a petri dish.  Communicable diseases do not get communicated well at all with the Common Cup.  The precious metal (gold, silver), the alcoholic content in the wine, and the repeated wiping with a purificator (cloth) all limit any chance for disease to make it pretty much irrelevant.  (If you think the individual cups are a more sanitary option, consider how much they are handled before you get one.)  Most importantly, Holy Communion is the body and blood of Christ, given by our Lord for the blessing and benefit of his people.  This is nothing to be avoided, but cherished.  It is not to be feared, but desired.  It is not death in the cup, but life.  Fear not.

Finally, what about the care of the sick and dying?  Simple: The pastor cares for the sick and dying.  He sits with them, prays with them, communes them, and serves them during their final moments, which also may be their most fearful moments.  The pastor does not flee; he stands his ground and serves God's people as long as they are in the Church Militant.  If the pastor becomes a casualty along the way, so be it.  It is still Christ's Church, and he will provide a way for his people to be cared for.  After all, this is the Church Militant.  People die, but none are lost.  Jesus delivers people to glory, and the pastor serves as best he can to comfort, to absolve, and to care for the people under his charge until God delivers them to the Church Triumphant.  Eventually the pastor, whether succumbing by disease or age, will be delivered there too.

If you have any specific concerns about coronavirus or any other grave fears, speak to your pastor.  And for future reference--there will be other epidemics in the future.  There always are.  In the case of future epidemics, re-read this article and substitute the latest health concern wherever you read "coronavirus."  It will still apply.