The Administrative Council is preparing for returning to in-person worship. This decision, the timing and conditions that will make it possible, was again discussed at length in the February 15th meeting.
Our decision is to follow the guidance of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, which clearly identifies three stages of safety and two metrics for each stage (vaccination rates and viral transmission rates). We are using Ozaukee County statistics, not statewide statistics, to measure our progress. Our decision for a date to resume face-to-face worship is based on local progress toward these conditions. For more information, please read Returning to In-Person Worship
The final days in the season of Lent are known as Holy Week,
and special worship services connect us with the movement of Jesus
in these final days leading up to his crucifixion.
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowd gathers with palm branches signaling this as a victory procession, and fulfilling the words of the prophet Zechariah:
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
Lo, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Palm Sunday Worship is a video service with a related audio podcast, connecting these events to a parable, or metaphorical image of a mother hen, used by Jesus to describe his feelings about Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday
On Maundy Thursday Jesus celebrated a last supper with his disciples, a Passover meal, at which the sacrament of Holy Communion was established in his words and actions. You are invited to come to the church between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Maundy Thursday to receive this sacrament in person in family or household groups. Please wear a mask and social distance for the benefit of others. When you arrive you will be greeted, shown a place to wait until you are invited up to the altar and served. Each setting will take approximately 5-7 minutes. No registration is required.
Good Friday
On Good Friday, a video worship experience using the Seven Last Words of Jesus from the cross will be available on the church web site. This worship service is a quiet meditational experience with images, music, and the gradual extinguishing of candles into complete darkness.
Easter Sunday - 9:00 a.m. (in person on the patio)
On Easter Sunday there will be an outdoor in-person Easter service offered on the church patio at 9:00 a.m. Those choosing to attend may sit on patio furniture, stand in the yard, or bring a lawn chair. This service is offered for those ready for in-person worship. An Easter Sunday video service will also be available on our website.
