As we’ve wrestled with the pandemic’s impact on our ability to gather, the tenant “Love Thy Neighbor” has been cornerstone in all of Council’s conversations and decisions. Now that Washington State has  lift restrictions as of June 30, a new tenant has become central to our discussion and plans: grace.

The Lutheran faith sets itself apart with a focus on grace; the grace provided to us by God and the promise of salvation for those who are faithful. It is this same grace that we extend to one another both within and outside our community of faith at Celebration Lutheran Church.

As we experience yet another shift in COVID-19 response, we ask that you practice grace when engaging in our faith community. Everyone has their own level of comfort regarding public spaces and safety protocols for their families. With radical grace, we all must respect the personal choices of each congregant, staff member and visitor, demonstrating by our love of one another the common bond we share in Christ.

Starting Sunday, July 4, you will see the following changes in worship at Celebration:

Masks 
Following health guidelines, masks will be encouraged for those who are not vaccinated, and optional for those that are. 

Please keep in mind that children under the age of 12 do not yet qualify for vaccination.

Worship
Reservations for in-person worship will no longer be required. We will return to congregational seating, being one in community and one in Christ.

We will worship with full liturgy, and we will once again sing hymns together.

The 10:30am service will continue to be streamed via Facebook Live and will be on demand afterwards. It will also continued to be uploaded to Youtube the following day. 

Nursery  
There will be an attendant for both services on July 4^th

Holy Communion
We will receive Holy Communion together, gathered around the altar. Pastor Kyle will administer the host while the Communion Assistant administers the wine. There will be hand sanitizer available in the aisle, should you choose to use it, and those serving the Lord’s Supper will wear gloves.

For congregants who are more comfortable receiving the Eucharist at their seats, you need only to alert the Usher(s), and Pastor Kyle will bring the sacrament to you.

Fellowship 
Coffee Hour will return, providing an opportunity to reconnect after 18+ months apart. Those that volunteer to provide snacks have free choice in how they prepare and present their offerings.

 With all this change comes choice.  Choice to wear a mask, or not. Choice to celebrate Holy Communion at the altar or in the seat.  Choice to participate in coffee hour or to simply go home following service. One of the greatest gifts God gave us is free will, the freedom to choose. 

It is critical is that as each member makes their own choices, we demonstrate the grace that we hold so dearly as Lutherans and refrain from passing judgement on those who may choose differently. Now is our time to follow that first lesson: love one another as He has loved you.

As Christians of good conscious and as members of the faith community at Celebration Lutheran Church, we welcome you and yours back to our physical church. All you who are masked or fresh faced, and ready to celebrate one another and the God who has faithfully watched over us while we’ve been apart… we are thrilled to have you back. 

Sincerely,
Celebration Lutheran Church Council

Todd Vallie, President
Kristin DeLellis, Vice President
Matt Weber, Treasurer
Steve Leifsen, Youth & Family Ministry
Beth Brooks, Secretary / Communications
Karen Gustafson, Lay Ministry
John Johnson, Property