FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH SAUK CENTRE MN

Worship at FLC!
In the Building Worship: Sunday 8:30 am, & 10:30 am
6:30 pm Worship on Wednesday

9 am Worship Online Available each Sunday

Returning to In the Building Ministry Programs
New State Requirements as of Monday March 15th:
We are excited by the news that more and more things are being lifted regarding worship and ministry in our facility. The council met on Tuesday March 16th and discussed what this will mean for FLC. Here is an outline of what the new requirements are. The council will keep the face covering requirement in place for now, and look at it again after Easter. Face coverings include, cloth masks, disposable masks, neck gaiters, plastic mouth and nose coverings, plastic face shields.
Worship Services, Weddings and Funerals

Occupancy limit is removed but capacity must be adjusted to allow for Social Distance of 6 feet between households. (we will still block off every other pew)
We will remove the sign-up requirement, if attendance exceeds our capacity we will use the balcony and limited seating in the entry area, and if all is filled we will ask that you attend the next service
Wear face coverings

Receptions/Celebration Gatherings

50% capacity up to 250 people
Limit capacity to allow for Social Distance of 6 feet between groups of 6 people
People must be seated when consuming food and beverages.
Table size is limited to 6 people
No food or beverages except water between 11 pm and 4 am
Wear face coverings

Choirs and Ensembles: The following is from the State of Minnesota

Music in faith-based organizations
Requirements
- Follow requirements from the sections above about “General requirements,” “Instrumental ensembles,” and/or “Vocal ensembles,” as they apply.
- Congregational singing, group singing, or chanting by attendees is not recommended in indoor ceremonies or services. However, if congregational singing is allowed, both of the following requirements must be met:

1. Individuals who are not part of a household group must be separated by a physical distance of at least 6 feet, and household groups must be separated from other household groups by more than 6 feet, whenever possible.
2. Attendees or members of the congregation must wear face coverings during the entire service or ceremony, even when singing or chanting. Recommendations

Follow requirements from the sections above about “General requirements,” “Instrumental ensembles,” and/or “Vocal ensembles,” as they apply.
Use pre-recorded or streamed music as an alternative to live music or chanting whenever possible.

- Education: It appears that just like the worship service we are allowed to conduct our education programs without capacity limits as long as we maintain the 6 feet social distancing and limit the number of students moving about.
- Coffee Fellowship: Based on what has come out, we are allowed to once again offer a time between services following the guidance. Based on the room capacity for the CLC we can allow 11 tables with a total of 66 occupants. We would also be able to utilize the Welcome Area coffee bar but will need to address the stipulation of people needing to be seated when consuming food and drink.
Based on these new guidelines, what are the capacities for our main gathering spaces?

Sanctuary = Approx. 134 not including balcony and choir loft
CLC = 66 persons using 11 tables
Fellowship Hall = 90 – 102 persons using 15-17 tables

With all this in mind we will be making an adjustment to our Sunday Worship Schedule beginning on Easter Sunday. Our parking lot worship will move to 10:30, and on Easter Sunday we will add a 7:30 service to help accommodate those joining us that morning. Moving forward our Sunday Schedule will be: 8:30 am in the building with coffee fellowship after, 9 am online, 9:30 in the building, 10:30 in the parking lot.
The council will continue to monitor the changes that occur with the Covid mandates.

Those concerned about making their weekly gifts to First are encouraged to sign-up for Simply Giving, you can call the church for information on how to sign-up, or you can drop off you gifts during the new office hours of 8 am - Noon, or you may mail in your gifts.

If you would like to be able to keep your weekly gift coming to First you can use your smart phone to make it happen!

Simply turn on your camera and capture the QVR code to the left.
It will bring you to a secured link that is connected to our Vanco/Simply Giving account. You can set up your gift to come using your Debit Card/Credit Card, or also directly from your bank account.

Directions to First Lutheran 304 Elm Street South Sauk Centre MN 56378

(320) 352-3623

Email : firstlutheran@mainstreetcom.com