Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). Dear friends in Christ, We enter a season of cheer, warmth, and happiness plagued by the ongoing challenges of the Covid epidemic. The past weeks have seen a significant surge in positive cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. The city of Chicago has recently reinstated stricter rules on dining out, nonessential work, and social gatherings.
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 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord (Psalm 4:5)
Adjustments to Our Healthy Practices at St. John’s Dear friends in Christ, The past 9 months have been a rollercoaster ride, to be sure. As we have discovered more about the novel coronavirus (and about ourselves!), we are able to adjust our practices with more information and with care and concern for our neighbors. After observing trends in our attendance since reopening and in conjunction with new research regarding some practices common to worship, I have decided the time is right to adjust our practices in order to best serve our congregation the gifts of God while also maintaining the best practices to protect against the transmission of disease.  With high delight
Let us unite In songs of great jubilation. Ye pure in heart, All bear your part, Sing Jesus Christ, our salvation. To set us free Forever, He Is ris’n and sends To all earth’s ends Good news to save ev’ry nation. Dear members of St. John’s: We are delighted to announce a return to public, in-person worship on Sunday, June 28. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Psalm 122:1
Dear members of Christ’s body at St. John’s Lutheran Church, The time has come to begin gathering together once again. The challenge of putting together a plan for returning to worship, however, is complicated by constantly changing recommendations and guidelines from every direction. What first looked like a brief hiatus and a quick return now shows every likelihood of extending for months with a slow and gradual return to something resembling our life together prior to the threat of Covid-19. Dear family and friends of St. John’s Lutheran Church & School,
Mr. Green and Pastor Ehrhard are continuing to monitor news reports and the recommendations provided by health officials concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. We have already enacted some basic precautions and healthy practices, including additional cleaning, disinfecting, and emphasizing basic hygiene and hand washing. As the situation evolves daily, we will act as necessary to provide a safe and healthy environment for all of the activities that take place at St. John’s. School families will be notified of any school program changes via FastDirect. Public announcements will be posted on our website and posted on our Facebook page. Please make sure to check back often for updates on the activities and programs for both church and school. As always, please exercise basic precautions such as thorough hand washing and avoiding unnecessary or prolonged exposure to crowds. And if you feel ill, please stay at home. Should you have an extended or severe illness, please contact the church office or call Pastor Ehrhard’s voicemail at 773-736-3053 to arrange for pastoral care. A prayer from the Great Litany: O Lord, have mercy. O Christ, have mercy. O Lord, have mercy. To give to all peoples concord and peace; to preserve our land from discord and strife; to give our country Your protection in every time of need; To direct and defend our president and all in authority; to bless and protect our magistrates and all our people; To watch over and help all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation; to protect and guide all who travel; To grant all women with child, and all mothers with infant children, increasing happiness in their blessings; to defend all orphans and widows and provide for them; To strengthen and keep all sick persons and young children; to free those in bondage; and to have mercy on us all: We implore You to hear us, good Lord. Rev. Jacob Ehrhard, Pastor Mr. Dan Green, Principal |