CORONAVIRUS

COVID-19

One of the gifts of being “church together” and a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the opportunity to share ideas and learn from one another.

COVID-19 Resources

Other Resources

Devotions

The Spirit is a wild thing. We are trying to figure out life & how to be the church during the COVID-19 pandemic. A group of ELCA Clergy & Youth Leaders listened to the Spirit and have created Pandemic Hope, an 8-week family devotional for life during COVID-19.

Please use and share WIDELY.



Online Worshop

The definitive guide to the technologies and tools that will turn your church virtual in minutes. CLICK HERE



Faith Formation

Infomation via the North Carolina Synod



ELCA Coaching Ministry’s Response

Being Church in the Time of COVID-19

“What is the next most faithful step we can take?”

ELCA Coaching Ministry would like to add our voice to those across our denomination and country speaking into this unique time of concern and care.

Many of us are in conversations that have revealed the extraordinary stress that COVID-19 and the associated fall-out has placed upon our faith communities and leaders. It has been said multiple times and in many different ways, “We don’t know how to be a leader in the midst of a deadly pandemic, and we don’t have all the answers.” Indeed, this is true.

We also recognize that getting through this means working together as God invites us in 1Corinthians 12 – the body of Christ, utilizing and recognizing all parts/resources; and most importantly, knowing that when one suffers, we all suffer; when one rejoices, we all rejoice.

ELCA’s Coaching Ministry wants to provide a platform for us to do this together. On a weekly basis we will be offering a ZOOM opportunity for leaders to gather in conversation around various topics related to: Being the Church in the Time of COVID-19.

This week we are offering space for these topics of conversation:

  • Worship

  • Finances

  • Staying Connected and Caring for One Another & Our Neighbor

Our conversations will follow this template:

  • Welcome and centering with scripture

  • Short presentation on the topic area

  • Break-out into small groups with discussion facilitated by an ELCA Coach

  • Gather back in the larger plenary for a short debrief and time of prayer

The goal of these gatherings is to offer a safe, even brave, space for our leaders to come together and name out loud what they are experiencing and to figure out what possible action steps they might take to move forward in this new reality.

We engage in this endeavor knowing that we do not know all of the answers, but we do know that figuring out what a next step looks like is easier in collaboration and in an atmosphere of proclaiming the promises of God (hear: “We are church together”).

Our intent is to offer these types of conversations and spaces weekly. Topics and content will shift depending on the needs of those that attend.

COVID-19 will continue to impact our lives and our work in ministry, and eventually we will realize life has morphed into some new sense of normal. When this happens, I hope the world will also reach a new understanding - that we are all connected and better together than apart. As church, we have a unique opportunity to model what this looks like. Let’s show up tomorrow (and the next day, and the day after that) knowing that God meets us there – expecting that God has provided all we need for our next steps, and recognizing that we need one another to take them.

See you online. Dates, times and links to our ZOOM sessions are below:

ZOOM Links:

Topic: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 - Worship

Time: Mar 17, 2020 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/368022505?pwd=YjYrZW9TNUJwSzFhTWU4TzlBL2dyQT09

Meeting ID: 368 022 505

Password: 901819

One tap mobile

+16468769923,,368022505# US (New York)

+13126266799,,368022505# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 253 215 8782 US

+1 301 715 8592 US

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 368 022 505

Topic: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 - Finances

Time: Mar 18, 2020 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/845890693?pwd=QVRjbFdnaHJ0WkIxTktnRXphVzBSUT09

Meeting ID: 845 890 693

Password: 857299

One tap mobile

+16468769923,,845890693# US (New York)

+13126266799,,845890693# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 253 215 8782 US

+1 301 715 8592 US

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 845 890 693

Topic: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 - Staying Connected & Caring for One Another & Our Neighbors

Time: Mar 19, 2020 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/535406471?pwd=ZjVJUXBkekRrQVlTUm9BLzI2ZUZXZz09

Meeting ID: 535 406 471

Password: 900535

One tap mobile

+16468769923,,535406471# US (New York)

+13126266799,,535406471# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 301 715 8592 US

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 253 215 8782 US

Meeting ID: 535 406 471

Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 ELCA Coaching Ministry - Here to Serve

ELCA's Coaching Ministry continues to offer a safe and brave space for congregational leaders across the country to gather for topical presentations, followed by a time of sharing in small groups. Please join us Wednesday of Holy Week, April 8, as we welcome Rev. Dr. Phil Hirsch, Executive Director of the Domestic Mission Unit of the ELCA, as our guest presenter. He will speak to us on the topic of "Hope and Holy Week."

Phil was elected by the ELCA Church Council at its November 2018 meeting and started his role February 1, 2019. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA, in 1986 and his Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1990. The seminary is one of seven ELCA seminaries. Phil earned his Doctor of Ministry in homiletics from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, in 1997. Prior to serving on the Churchwide staff, he served as a congregational pastor in Virginia and New Jersey and also as the Director of Evangelical Mission for the Metro D.C. Synod. At the beginning of his ministry with the national office, Phil said:

"I am grateful for this opportunity to help serve and lead the church in its mission in the United States. I believe that Jesus Christ is the light of the world and the hope for our broken humanity. I am confident because I know the Holy Spirit always gives us wisdom, power and love far greater than the challenges we face."

We look forward to hearing an inspirational message from Phil, followed by breaking into small groups for each of us to share and discover our next faithful step in our own contexts, as we navigate together finding Hope in the midst of a Holy Week shaped by the reality of COVID-19.

ELCA Coaching is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19 - Weekly Meeting for ELCA Leaders

Time: Apr 8, 2020 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/180439412

Meeting ID: 180 439 412

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,180439412# US (Chicago)

+16468769923,,180439412# US (New York)

Dial by your location

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

+1 253 215 8782 US

+1 301 715 8592 US

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 180 439 412



Resources for Oklahoma Congregations Re Payroll Loans

Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod Vice President Holly Lantagne provided the information below for Oklahoma Congregations. I will try to find the information for Arkansas Congregations through the Arkansas Government website and send in another email.

Here are the links and info that I talked about last night to share with the other churches.
The below was forwarded from one of our United Ways and was a recording from a Zoom meeting today hosted by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. It's a very concise and easy to digest run down of the SBA and PPP loans.
April 1, 2020 (12 p.m.) OKCNP Helpline Chat focused on SBA Loans
https://zoom.us/rec/play/vsAtcuD-_zk3EtLEtASDC_QtW9W6Lv-s2idN-_QEyhznUncAYwChY-FHZOLU0QdoVgWnpryH7sJpjNhW?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=eiX8PlBWQCycjhld-UAqqw.1585766577949.4d24c118e49b51faa92a56168404499b&_x_zm_rhtaid=269

List of resources from the meeting linked above:
Questions in regard to the industry calls send to: OKindustryassistance@okcommerce.gov
questions specific to SBA loans: OKSBAquestions@okcommerce.gov
visit website at okcommerce.gov/covid19
okjobmatch.com
www.ok.gov/oesc
disaster loan.sba.gov https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/CARES_Act_summary_033020v2.pdf From Jennifer Springer to Everyone: 08:25 AM
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses From Jennifer Springer to Everyone: 08:32 AM
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Paycheck-Protection-Program-Application-3-30-2020-v3.pdf
this is the link to the application

Also, this link is a summary of the new law by another attorney in our congregation, Evan Way.
Who CARES? Every Small and Mid-Sized Business Should!



Synod-wide Text Study

Tuesdays at 9am-10:30am? It is designed for pastors and lay leaders who may be doing sermon preparation.

https://zoom.us/j/545375118



Church on FM Radio!

Central Oklahoma is blessed to have KUCO 90.1 FM radio (livestream or over the air). Every Sunday at 8:30am you can listen to SING FOR JOY produced by St Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and supported by Metro OKC ELCA churches. The program is a half hour of great sacred choral music with commentary on the day’s scripture readings by Pastor Bruce Benson, chaplain of St Olaf. Tune in your radio or listen to the livestream on your computer or other device.



Returning to Church

A number of resources for helping congregations determine when and how to return to physical, in-person worship have been developed. One of the most helpful and thorough documents was put together by the Wisconsin Council of Churches staff with input from religious leaders, local church pastors, insurance agents, public health and emergency management officials. The “Badger Bounce Back” plan referred to in the document is based on the Federal three phase “Opening Up America Again” plan https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/

The Wisconsin Council of Churches guide can be found at their website: https://www.wichurches.org/2020/04/23/returning-to-church/


It is also available to download as a PDF.

NEW INFORMATION FROM THE ELCA!

Download PDF HERE



Living in Hope: Pandemic Stewardship for Today and What Comes Next

Without in-person worship, many congregations have great concern about finances. Many are wondering what ministry will be like when we physically gather again. How do we encourage generosity at a time when people are losing their income? Rev. Pete Reuss, consultant with GSB Fundraising, will address these core challenges to congregational life, providing critical tools that will allow congregations to boldly do ministry in this time of uncertainty. Join in on Tuesdays (May 12 & 19, 2020) from 1-2pm This two- part workshop will provide space to share concerns, learn best practices from an expert in the field and take away concrete ideas to try immediately or in the next few months! Experience how the way we talk about stewardship can increase feelings of connection, belonging, meaning, and hope as well as inspiring generosity. Email or Call Pr. Liz from the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod Office for a link to the event. Liz.albertson@elca.org or (608) 498-5515.



Sermon by Bishop Eaton - Trinity Sunday, June 7

Bishop Eaton has been invited to and agreed to provide a sermon for Trinity Sunday, June 7 which will be available to the whole ELCA. This will be available both as a video and also as a text which can be read or shared. Details will be forthcoming. If sharing the sermon on Trinity Sunday won't work in your plans, the sermon can be shared on another Sunday as well. We are grateful to our Presiding Bishop for this gift.



Guidance for Congregation Meetings

Download or view on website



What congregations in the Syond are doing

The Neighborhood Church

The Neighborhood Church in Bentonville, AR has live, online worship services at 10:00 AM each Sunday on Facebook Live.



Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Moving all Sunday worship services to online only beginning immediately and continuing through the first weekend of April. It is our hope and prayer to host worship again in person at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Easter weekend. So no in-person worship this Sunday. Catch our podcast at our web site, http://goodshepherdnwa.org (where you can also set up automated giving) or periodic Facebook live posts on our page, https://www.facebook.com/GoodShepherdNWA/ We will update this plan and schedule accordingly as new data is available. We can be nimble in our response. This Sunday in particular, and every Sunday throughout this time, please use your typical Sunday morning time to text (or call) fellow members of GSLC, the ones on the same page of your church directory. This can be a way for us to care for one another during a time of increased social distancing. Most other church events are also cancelled during this time. Watch for updates on ways to connect spiritually with us in future e-mails and communications. A few immediate resources. If you would like to pray the daily prayer offices, consider this excellent page from the Lutheran Church of Honolulu: http://www.lchwelcome.org/spirit/office/office.php If you would like to engage the biblical texts for each Sunday and meditate on them with commentary, visit: https://www.workingpreacher.org



Lutheran Partners of Western Oklahoma

Recorded Alternative Worship (RAW) from the Lutheran Partners of Western Oklahoma



Ressurection Lutheran Church

Facebook Live and/or Zoom for worship services and prayer meetings during the time we are closed. If you want to join in noon prayer time today, here is a link.



Fellowship Lutheran Church

Live-Streaming Sunday @ 10am and Wednesdays @ 6pm

Video Recordings of Worship Services Sermon Podcast "Fellowship Gracecast" on iTunes or Spotify



Trinity Lutheran Church

Dear Trinity Friends: 1. As we approach the Sunday of the Passion/ Palm Sunday, our two musicians and cameraman and I have attempted to provide a liturgy that will be somewhat familiar to those who are accustomed to the blessing and procession of palms. 2. All members of Trinity have been direct mailed Palm Crosses that I hope arrive at your home in time for you to use them when we worship together by video. 3. My personal thanks to Bob Cooper (organist & music director), Josh Coats (choir director), and Gary Bollingmo (tech support) for their commitment to making this opportunity for worship available to all of us. 4. Iinvite you to continue your prayers for all healthcare professionals, first-responders, government leaders, educators and students, parents, our military, law enforcement officials, those sick with COVID-19, and families who are dealing with the deaths of loved ones. For those who have died, we pray: "Rest eternal, grant them, O Lord; and let your light perpetual shine on them." 5. If you know of needs within our congregation, please alert me so that we can extend assistance if possible. 6. Mike Marino prepares a Bible study each week on the Gospel of Matthew, sharing it with small group participants. Some have said that the recent lessons have particular application to our current challenges. If you would like the study sent to your email each week, please let me know. 7. There will not be an April newsletter. We hope to resume publication in May. 8. A final acknowledgment: In recent months, I've had the joy of reconnecting with a high school classmate as we have been preparing for our 50th Class Reunion (which will not occur due to the pandemic). David Ottsen is an Episcopal priest, retired, and spending some of his retirement writing a book "The Great Invitation", based on the Matthew 11 scripture that I quote in my Palm Sunday sermon. I wish to thank David and acknowledge that from the mention of Matthew 11 to the conclusion of my sermon, the language and feeling comes predominately from David's book (which will soon be published). 9. Keep social distancing, washing hands, staying at home when possible, and praying for an end to the Coronavirus. God guides & provides. +Pastor Roger+



Covenant Lutheran Oklahoma City Churches

We will live stream our video worship service this Easter Sunday morning, April 10 at 10 a.m. Go to www.facebook.com/CLOKCdotChurch, or use Zoom (Meeting ID 236-716-120) to participate. A bulletin for the service is available on CLOKCdotChurch. After the service, join us on Zoom for virtual fellowship time. Bring your own donut! There are instructions in the Clicks of the CLOKC on how to use Zoom from a computer, smart phone, tablet or regular phone so you can join in our services and meetings. An updated set of prayers for our 3 oCLOCK prayers, as well as God’s Story, Our Story are here as Well.



Lord of Life Lutheran

Since we cannot gather for worship in person today, we invite everyone to worship with Lord of Life online. Please see the attached bulletin and use the following link to access a video of this week's service: https://youtu.be/ke7r-5OPNf0 We hope and pray all of our members will participate in this virtual gathering. Please note, this is a recording on YouTube so it can be viewed at any time. The video can also be accessed through links on our website ( www.lordoflifelutheranok.org and our Facebook page. Our Children's Church minister, Hannah Leftwich, has included the following note and the attached activity for children and their families... Questions for the week: What makes you sad? How do you think that thing makes Jesus feel? There may have been a lot of things that might make us sad. It is ok to be sad! If you are feeling sad, make sure to tell an adult how you're feeling. You can also tell Jesus in a prayer what is making you sad. Jesus wants to hear how we are feeling. He loves us and is with us when we're sad, or happy, or mad.


Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for always being with us. Help us remember that you love us all the time. Amen. In these times of uncertainty, Lord of Life continues to pay our bills and our staff is working diligently to provide you with at home resources. Your gifts are still needed and will be a blessing. If you would like to make an offering this week, you can mail a check to the church (15400 N. Western Ave., Edmond, OK 73013) or you can give online by following this link: Online Giving [eservicepayments.com].



Lutheran Men in Mission - Online Bible Study

We'll be reading Matthew 28:1-10 this Thursday Yes, we are meeting on Maundy Thursday. 7:00 pm Central. The link will always be this: https://zoom.us/j/353022558
Or you can dial in at: 1-312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 353 022 558



Shared Ministry of North Central Oklahoma Online Ministries

Faith Lutheran in Enid, OK Prince of Peace Lutheran in Ponca City, OK St. Paul's UCC in Marshall, OK Zion Lutheran in Perry, OK Sunday Morning Worship on Zoom at 11am. https://zoom.us/j/698645587 to participate Or Call In @ 1-312-626-6799 and enter 698 645 587 Or Watch the livestream of the Zoom via https://www.facebook.com/zionlutheranperry/ Daily Devotional Monday-Saturday hosted through Zion's Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zionlutheranperry/ Weekly Tuesday Night Beer and Theology on Zoom at 7pm https://zoom.us/j/698645587 (ya'll are welcome!)



Joy Tulsa

Joy Tulsa is worshiping via Zoom for the foreseeable future. You are welcome to join us on Sundays at 9:30am at: https://zoom.us/j/5441941172



Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Mountain Home, Arkansas is videoing worship services and posting them to our Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/HCLC72653/) and our website ( http://holycrossmtnhome.com/). We will post our worship for Palm/Passion Sunday and, during Holy Week, our worship services will be on Wednesday (Tenebrae Service), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The bulletins, with brief reflections included in the sermon spot, are mailed or delivered to our members who are not connected to the internet and can also be found online so that anyone can worship with us.



Returning to Church

A number of resources for helping congregations determine when and how to return to physical, in-person worship have been developed. One of the most helpful and thorough documents was put together by the Wisconsin Council of Churches staff with input from religious leaders, local church pastors, insurance agents, public health and emergency management officials. The “Badger Bounce Back” plan referred to in the document is based on the Federal three phase “Opening Up America Again” plan https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/

The Wisconsin Council of Churches guide can be found at their website: https://www.wichurches.org/2020/04/23/returning-to-church/


It is also available to download as a PDF.