Pending this week’s anticipated decision of the State of Colorado to lift the temporary restrictions on churches to gather; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church is happy to announce the resuming of worship services beginning Sunday, June 7 at 8:00 am. and 10:45 am.
The leadership of Shepherd of the Hills understands the ever-changing environment where information is concerned. We are appreciative of your patience IF directives from the State of Colorado indicate we open worship on a later date. We ask you to closely watch your email for announcements throughout the week.
We are working to protect the health and well-being of all who attend worship by incorporating “social distancing” and other CDC precautions. Please anticipate your experience at church will not be the same as before the COVID restrictions. You can, however, absolutely count on the preaching of God’s Word and the presence of the Sacraments!
Multiple communications and information will be sent to the congregation regarding directives beginning with your arrival in the parking lot, the doors you will use for entry and exit, seating arrangements in the gym, distribution of the Lord’s Supper, and other considerations. We will send information through emails, videos, postings to our website (shepherdhillschurch.org), and through phone contacts made by our Board of Elders.
We do not know yet the number of people the State of Colorado will allow to gather for worship. We do know the numbers of people at each service will be limited and directions for you to register your intent to come and worship will be forthcoming. Our leadership is using a “phase-in” approach to re-opening in the weeks to come with the goal that all who desire to come for worship are enabled to do so. This includes the addition of weekly worship service options. We ask for your kind and considerate patience as we embrace and work out the details.
Video recordings of the services will continue as previously provided. Additionally, we are working to provide “live-streaming” of our services for those not able to attend. We strongly encourage those with health-risk vulnerabilities to remain at home and join us for worship using video or live-streaming resources.
To view the video announcement from the Pastors, click here. If you have any questions about the re-opening of worship services at Shepherd of the Hills please contact Pastor Stoltenow at bstoltenow@sothfamily.org, or Pastor Zillinger at gzillinger@sothfamily.org.
I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1
RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION:
The Pastors will be available to provide Holy Communion to individuals who wish to receive the Lord's Supper. Private appointments to receive Holy Communion can be made by reaching out to the church office at 303-798-0711.
ONLINE WORSHIP:
Each week we are recording our Sunday and Lent Worship Services and making them available online. We are hoping to find a way for us to join in worship via a live stream of the service soon.
CONTRIBUTING TO SHEPHERD:
During the next few weeks, it will continue to be critical for us to support Shepherd with our financial contributions so we can continue to pay salaries, the mortgage, other obligations and contribute to missions. Your options for giving are:
1. Mail a check to Shepherd of the Hills
2. Click HERE to be directed to online giving.
3. Bring your offerings when church services resume
OTHER EVENTS:
All gatherings at our building will be cancelled until further notice.
WHAT'S TO COME?
We will continue to monitor the situation so we can make timely decisions. And we are preparing for heightened sanitization measures when we can resume large gatherings.
Thank you for understanding and for your continued prayers during this time. May you know the peace that surpasses all human understanding.
Ed Barstad and Tad Deering on behalf of Church Council.
If you have questions or ideas, please email Tad at taddeering@gmail.com or Ed at ed@barstad.com.
