Pastor Dan Hermanson – NOV 2020

Dear friends in Christ at Peace and Grue,

"Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Mark 14:25

These words from Mark’s account of the Last Supper remind us that when we come together, to break bread and to drink the cup under the words of the promise, we are celebrating the future; anticipating something that will one day come to light where all can see. It is the gospel, the good news of that which will be-the new that comes into our midst.

Sacred rites and mysteries of the usual sort are backward looking. They attempt to draw us back to reestablish oneness with the nature from which we have come. They are attempts to draw us back to the “paradise,” the dreaming innocence of the past, and to merge us with the old.

But not so with this sacrament. It tells us to leave the past, to accept forgiveness for our yesterdays, and to look to the future, to the new. We don’t know entirely what that means. We see see through a glass dimly. For the moment, the important thing is that it brings us together in a way we are not brought together elsewhere. We are called out of our past under the sign of the cross and resurrection, to lay aside that which separates us, and to come together as brothers and sisters. For the moment perhaps that is all we need. Thereby in hope we drink the new wine of the Kingdom.

As the church’s year winds down, it is with great joy that we are again preparing to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, at least on a monthly basis. Since the Covid-19 virus is still present, we will do so following these precautions: 

1. To do this safely those preparing the trays must wear masks and wash their hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer.
2. Those distributing Communion are also required to wear masks and use hand sanitizer both before and after distribution.
3. There will be only one station serving one line.
4. During distribution we will use continuous Communion, one pew at a time in order to maintain social distance of 6 feet between you and non-family members.
5. While receiving Communion, we ask that you do your best to provide as much distance as possible between you and the server. (If possible stepping aside before eating and drinking.) This is especially important since you are not covered by your mask.
6. After receiving communion place the empty cup in a basket and return to your pew using a side isle.   

If you are not comfortable receiving Holy Communion at this time, you are not obligated to participate. During this pandemic it is especially important that we fully support all members and their concern for safety. After several months of lock downs and restriction it is up to each of us to keep each other safe. Doing so will ensure that we will prevent or at least postpone further restrictions.

Yours in Christ

~Pastor Dan