Welcome to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church

September marks the fourth month of our return to in-person worship services at St. Jacob’s. It is good to see the many faces of our church family members who are present each week. It is also good to know that those who are not yet to a point where they are ready to return have kept themselves healthy and safe during this pandemic. Thanks be to God that we are able to live stream and record our worship services for those who watch it from their homes. As time goes by, we continue to find ways to improve our online worship experience.

There is one thing that bears reminding. We do have a face mask policy that remains in effect. While masks are not required for entry into the building, they are required during those portions of our service that include singing. All persons in attendance should have a mask in their possession. Masks are available upon entry to the Fellowship Hall and Church Nave. Please pick one up if you did not bring your own to worship. We want to be respectful of others and keep a healthy environment, especially for our more senior church family members who are in attendance.

Now that we are worshiping in our building once again, you will likely notice there are a few things that are being done a bit differently. Several changes have been made to promote a healthier and safer environment. During worship, we are no longer passing items through the pews such as friendship registers and collection plates. Record of worship and communion cards are inserted in the weekly bulletins. Offerings are placed in the alms basin located by the narthex door. This is to reduce the chance of spreading the coronavirus and other sicknesses as well.

Another change has been made for the confidentiality of St. Jacob’s family and friends. We will no longer be using the prayer board to list prayer concerns. Instead, the old suggestion box in the narthex will now be used for prayer concerns. Please fill out the cards located near the box and drop them in. Remember, you must have express permission from the person whose name you are adding to the prayer list to do so.

Now that we are live streaming our worship service on Facebook and YouTube, along with providing a recording of the entire service on our website, we will no longer be reading the full names of those on our member’s prayer list. They will be listed in the bulletin, but only first names will be read out loud. Again, this is to protect the privacy of those whose names are being read out loud during the prayers of the church.

If you have any questions about these matters, you can contact Pastor David Nuottila by phone or email.