Cancellation: Worship service for Sunday, February 7, is canceled due to inclement weather.
Announcement concerning reopening for worship at St. Paul's
June 2, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul’s E. C. Church,
It has been a long time since we’ve gathered together for worship on a Sunday morning. We’ve all missed doing so, some more than others. Although churches were not legally required to suspend public worship services, almost all congregations saw this suspension as the wisest course of action in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 infections. This was the position adopted by the leadership of St. Paul’s as well.
As your pastor, I want to express appreciation for the leadership of the Official Board in acting wisely. We are not here to make a point or to defy the authority of government officials; nor are we here to put God to the test when there is a real threat to the health and well-being of our worshipers and the families and communities among which you live. I also want to commend those who have taken up the call to live your faith during these challenging times. Ministry has continued through these weeks without Sunday services. Several of you have taken up the call to stay in contact with one another by phone, by reaching out to find who might be in need, by sharing in prayer requests, sometimes specifically for people affected by the virus. Some of you have participated in the online Bible studies being offered and listened to the sermons that have been posted on the church website. Some have participated in the food collection and distribution efforts of the Warwick Area Ministerium or other organizations to families in need. Ministry has not ceased during this time; it never will.
We are now making preparations for the return of public worship services in our facility in Rothsville. The Official Board met via the internet on May 28 to discuss when and under what conditions this will take place. There was considerable discussion from a variety of perspectives, as one might imagine. Many concerns were expressed and heard. Out of that discussion the decision was made to return to worship in the sanctuary on Sunday, June 14, at our customary time of 10:15 a.m. There will also be an informal gathering outdoors on June 7, also at 10:15. Anyone wishing to attend at that time should bring lawn chairs, which will be spaced according to the guidelines we have heard so often from public authorities. The wearing of facemasks is encouraged.
The following standards were established for indoor worship June 14 and continuing until conditions are deemed sufficiently safe:
All in attendance will wear masks to cover nose and mouth. Anyone who does not have one will be provided with one.
Seating will be spaced according to social distance guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The only exception to this will be for those who live in the same household. Attendees will be directed to sit in designated pews.
Bulletins will not be provided.
Offerings will be received, but there will be no passing of plates. The procedure for receiving offerings will be explained during the service.
Physical contact is highly discouraged. As much as we would love to give hugs and handshakes, these should be withheld for the present time.
Hand sanitizer will be provided.
Prior to the opening for worship, there will be additional cleaning and sanitizing of frequently touched objects such as door handles, pews, restroom fixtures, etc. Such items will continue to be cleaned between services for as long as is deemed advisable.
While many of you receiving this letter are anxious for the return to public worship at St. Paul’s, others may be hesitant. We fully understand that. Please do not feel pressured to attend if you believe this is not the right time to do so. Some of you who wish to return might be better served to wait a little longer nonetheless. This group includes those who are most vulnerable to infection from the virus, especially those of advanced age or who have underlying health challenges. We will continue to record the sermons, and perhaps larger portions of the services in the future. They can be accessed on the church website (www.stpaulsrothsville.org). Those who do not have a computer might find it a good opportunity to invite a family member who does have one to come and listen to the recording with you on their device.
Please do not hesitate to call with questions you have regarding the scheduled reopening of St. Paul’s. I am excited for the return and for the ministry ahead for this congregation. Thank you for your prayers throughout this challenging time; continue to send them to the Lord of heaven and earth.
Yours for His Kingdom,
Rev. Dr. Kenneth H. Miller
Pastor
Special Announcements concerning the COVID-19 situation
April 18, 2020
As we continue to navigate through the unusual times of the corona virus, we pause when its effects hit home. Our hearts go out and our prayers go up on behalf of the family of Sandy Martin, who entered into the Lord's presence Tuesday, April 14. Please uphold Joanne Bender, Sandy's daughter, in your prayers, along with Joanne's husband, Troy, and daughter, Emily.
Other Notes:
My apologies for the lack of an Easter sermon on the website. I recorded one, but have had technical issues in moving it from one device to the website. If those issues can be resolved, it will appear under the sermon tab. Do look for one on succeeding Sundays for as long as the worship services are not held as usual. If things go well, we'll have both video and audio to access.
Check the "Opportunities" tab for a new online Bible Study, beginning April 21!
March 25, 2020
From Pastor Miller:
I hope this finds all of you well and in good spirits, in spite of everything swirling around us. One thing swirling around, literally, is this nasty virus we’ve all been hearing about for weeks. Another thing swirling around is a lot of misinformation, out of which grow fear and anxiety that do not serve us well at all. Rumors, more anxiety, and then more fear--all of which lead us to act in ways that are irrational, yet seem so necessary at the moment.
God has a better way: in everything, give thanks. He’s not asking us to be thankful for the virus, but there is something for which we can give thanks. Think just for a moment. Something will come to you. Thankfulness changes our mindset and makes the challenges more manageable. It frees our minds to work as they should so that we can avoid the rash decisions we are tempted to make in a time of stress.
As I mentioned in the letter announcing the temporary closing of St. Paul’s, there are things we can do to continue the work of the church during this time. Call and encourage one another frequently. Be sure to “season your conversation with grace,” as Paul put it. Call someone you might know who does not have a known support network of family and friends. You don’t have to evangelize; you just have to care.
Another way of serving and growing together in these days is to share in meeting one another’s needs. Should this crisis continue for an extended time, there will be growing numbers of people who will need some kind of assistance. It might be as simple as going for groceries or needing a ride to a medical appointment. It might be a financial crisis. If you need any sort of assistance, the Friendship Committee at St. Paul’s wants to help. Call and tell us. And if you are willing to provide services of any kind, let us know that, too, so that we can truly share in the meeting of these needs. You can make your needs and offers of assistance known in the following ways:
Phone: Missy Deibler, Chair of the Friendship Committee: 717-413-3432
Pastor Ken: 717-926-2963
Email: stpaulsrothsville@gmail.com or kenmiller51@gmail.com or missyd@ptd.net
Stay connected through our church website if you have internet access. There you will find daily devotions, prayers, and sermons from the past and new messages that will be added in the days ahead.
One more consideration--expenses of the church do continue. If you are able, send your tithes and offerings to the church at 2120 Main St., Lititz, PA 17543.
Be well, be faithful, and be encouraged. God will carry us through.
Pastor Ken
March 17, 2020
To the Members and Friends of St. Paul’s E. C. Church
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
By this time all of us have been made aware of a potentially dangerous virus that spreads easily through a population. While most people who do contract disease from exposure to the virus will fully recover, that is not the case for everyone who is infected. Because of the very real danger to the lives of people, leaders in our nation, state, and community have urged all of us to make changes in our daily lives and routines until the threat of spreading the virus has been significantly diminished. The so-called coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19, is something all of us should take seriously.
After consultation with Mr. Lloyd Zimmerman, President of the Official Board at St. Paul’s, I am announcing the suspension of worship services at the church for an undetermined period of time. This is an action many congregations saw fit to take a week earlier, and one which we had hoped would not be necessary for us to follow. However, with prudence and desire to cooperate with civic leaders and the best interests of the health of our members and our communities in mind, it seems advisable at this time. We would hope to be back to holding worship services by Easter Sunday, April 12, but there is no way to know whether that will be possible.
When we face uncertainty we can act out of fear or out of faith. Fear leads to irrational, selfish, and divisive actions; faith encourages us to remember that God has carried people through crisis situations in the past, that He has given us the ability to reason toward solutions, and that, above all, nothing on earth can separate us from the love of God in Christ. His promise has always been to be with us in trouble, not to remove us from the possibility of harm. It is in those times that his people can be powerful witnesses to an abiding peace that His presence provides.
St. Paul’s will not be holding services for now; but our ministry will continue, and each of us can participate in making that happen. One very simple action we can all take is to use the telephone or email to make more frequent contacts with one another. Why not make it a point to make one, two, or more calls to people within the congregation? Include those whom you do not know well. Get acquainted. Then make a call to someone outside the church, especially those who are elderly or vulnerable to hardship or loneliness.
Another activity can be to follow the devotions set on the church website (www.stpaulsrothsville.org). Look for the “Lent 2020” tab, click on it, and there will be tabs for each week through Easter. Perhaps you could share the thoughts with someone who does not have internet service or does not use a computer. There are no Sunday entries, but sermons from the past are posted under the “Sermons” tab. There will also be a prayer under a tab by that name. In more normal times, that prayer will be the one used in Sunday worship.
Another activity can be the sharing of needs. Especially during what will be difficult times, financial challenges are likely to come upon some of us. Please do not hesitate to make me aware of those needs. There are people who are willing to help in a variety of ways. But they cannot meet needs of which they are not aware. If you are willing to assist in specific ways, let me know that as well. Our Friendship Committee will do what is possible to keep all of us confident in God’s care expressed through God’s people. Be prepared to help others as you are able, providing a different way of managing your goods from those who feel a need to hoard for themselves.
And pray. Pray for your church, your neighbors, your country. Pray for God’s kingdom to be seen and recognized in good times and in hard times. As you pray, remember the Apostle Paul--the one whose name our congregation has assumed--as he wrote to the Philippian church: In everything gives thanks.
Be confident, fear not, and expect the Lord to be near. He is.
May God’s peace be with you,
Rev. Kenneth H. Miller, Pastor
St. Paul’s Evangelical Congregational Church
Announcement concerning reopening for worship at St. Paul's
June 2, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul’s E. C. Church,
It has been a long time since we’ve gathered together for worship on a Sunday morning. We’ve all missed doing so, some more than others. Although churches were not legally required to suspend public worship services, almost all congregations saw this suspension as the wisest course of action in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 infections. This was the position adopted by the leadership of St. Paul’s as well.
As your pastor, I want to express appreciation for the leadership of the Official Board in acting wisely. We are not here to make a point or to defy the authority of government officials; nor are we here to put God to the test when there is a real threat to the health and well-being of our worshipers and the families and communities among which you live. I also want to commend those who have taken up the call to live your faith during these challenging times. Ministry has continued through these weeks without Sunday services. Several of you have taken up the call to stay in contact with one another by phone, by reaching out to find who might be in need, by sharing in prayer requests, sometimes specifically for people affected by the virus. Some of you have participated in the online Bible studies being offered and listened to the sermons that have been posted on the church website. Some have participated in the food collection and distribution efforts of the Warwick Area Ministerium or other organizations to families in need. Ministry has not ceased during this time; it never will.
We are now making preparations for the return of public worship services in our facility in Rothsville. The Official Board met via the internet on May 28 to discuss when and under what conditions this will take place. There was considerable discussion from a variety of perspectives, as one might imagine. Many concerns were expressed and heard. Out of that discussion the decision was made to return to worship in the sanctuary on Sunday, June 14, at our customary time of 10:15 a.m. There will also be an informal gathering outdoors on June 7, also at 10:15. Anyone wishing to attend at that time should bring lawn chairs, which will be spaced according to the guidelines we have heard so often from public authorities. The wearing of facemasks is encouraged.
The following standards were established for indoor worship June 14 and continuing until conditions are deemed sufficiently safe:
All in attendance will wear masks to cover nose and mouth. Anyone who does not have one will be provided with one.
Seating will be spaced according to social distance guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The only exception to this will be for those who live in the same household. Attendees will be directed to sit in designated pews.
Bulletins will not be provided.
Offerings will be received, but there will be no passing of plates. The procedure for receiving offerings will be explained during the service.
Physical contact is highly discouraged. As much as we would love to give hugs and handshakes, these should be withheld for the present time.
Hand sanitizer will be provided.
Prior to the opening for worship, there will be additional cleaning and sanitizing of frequently touched objects such as door handles, pews, restroom fixtures, etc. Such items will continue to be cleaned between services for as long as is deemed advisable.
While many of you receiving this letter are anxious for the return to public worship at St. Paul’s, others may be hesitant. We fully understand that. Please do not feel pressured to attend if you believe this is not the right time to do so. Some of you who wish to return might be better served to wait a little longer nonetheless. This group includes those who are most vulnerable to infection from the virus, especially those of advanced age or who have underlying health challenges. We will continue to record the sermons, and perhaps larger portions of the services in the future. They can be accessed on the church website (www.stpaulsrothsville.org). Those who do not have a computer might find it a good opportunity to invite a family member who does have one to come and listen to the recording with you on their device.
Please do not hesitate to call with questions you have regarding the scheduled reopening of St. Paul’s. I am excited for the return and for the ministry ahead for this congregation. Thank you for your prayers throughout this challenging time; continue to send them to the Lord of heaven and earth.
Yours for His Kingdom,
Rev. Dr. Kenneth H. Miller
Pastor
Special Announcements concerning the COVID-19 situation
April 18, 2020
As we continue to navigate through the unusual times of the corona virus, we pause when its effects hit home. Our hearts go out and our prayers go up on behalf of the family of Sandy Martin, who entered into the Lord's presence Tuesday, April 14. Please uphold Joanne Bender, Sandy's daughter, in your prayers, along with Joanne's husband, Troy, and daughter, Emily.
Other Notes:
My apologies for the lack of an Easter sermon on the website. I recorded one, but have had technical issues in moving it from one device to the website. If those issues can be resolved, it will appear under the sermon tab. Do look for one on succeeding Sundays for as long as the worship services are not held as usual. If things go well, we'll have both video and audio to access.
Check the "Opportunities" tab for a new online Bible Study, beginning April 21!
March 25, 2020
From Pastor Miller:
I hope this finds all of you well and in good spirits, in spite of everything swirling around us. One thing swirling around, literally, is this nasty virus we’ve all been hearing about for weeks. Another thing swirling around is a lot of misinformation, out of which grow fear and anxiety that do not serve us well at all. Rumors, more anxiety, and then more fear--all of which lead us to act in ways that are irrational, yet seem so necessary at the moment.
God has a better way: in everything, give thanks. He’s not asking us to be thankful for the virus, but there is something for which we can give thanks. Think just for a moment. Something will come to you. Thankfulness changes our mindset and makes the challenges more manageable. It frees our minds to work as they should so that we can avoid the rash decisions we are tempted to make in a time of stress.
As I mentioned in the letter announcing the temporary closing of St. Paul’s, there are things we can do to continue the work of the church during this time. Call and encourage one another frequently. Be sure to “season your conversation with grace,” as Paul put it. Call someone you might know who does not have a known support network of family and friends. You don’t have to evangelize; you just have to care.
Another way of serving and growing together in these days is to share in meeting one another’s needs. Should this crisis continue for an extended time, there will be growing numbers of people who will need some kind of assistance. It might be as simple as going for groceries or needing a ride to a medical appointment. It might be a financial crisis. If you need any sort of assistance, the Friendship Committee at St. Paul’s wants to help. Call and tell us. And if you are willing to provide services of any kind, let us know that, too, so that we can truly share in the meeting of these needs. You can make your needs and offers of assistance known in the following ways:
Phone: Missy Deibler, Chair of the Friendship Committee: 717-413-3432
Pastor Ken: 717-926-2963
Email: stpaulsrothsville@gmail.com or kenmiller51@gmail.com or missyd@ptd.net
Stay connected through our church website if you have internet access. There you will find daily devotions, prayers, and sermons from the past and new messages that will be added in the days ahead.
One more consideration--expenses of the church do continue. If you are able, send your tithes and offerings to the church at 2120 Main St., Lititz, PA 17543.
Be well, be faithful, and be encouraged. God will carry us through.
Pastor Ken
March 17, 2020
To the Members and Friends of St. Paul’s E. C. Church
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
By this time all of us have been made aware of a potentially dangerous virus that spreads easily through a population. While most people who do contract disease from exposure to the virus will fully recover, that is not the case for everyone who is infected. Because of the very real danger to the lives of people, leaders in our nation, state, and community have urged all of us to make changes in our daily lives and routines until the threat of spreading the virus has been significantly diminished. The so-called coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19, is something all of us should take seriously.
After consultation with Mr. Lloyd Zimmerman, President of the Official Board at St. Paul’s, I am announcing the suspension of worship services at the church for an undetermined period of time. This is an action many congregations saw fit to take a week earlier, and one which we had hoped would not be necessary for us to follow. However, with prudence and desire to cooperate with civic leaders and the best interests of the health of our members and our communities in mind, it seems advisable at this time. We would hope to be back to holding worship services by Easter Sunday, April 12, but there is no way to know whether that will be possible.
When we face uncertainty we can act out of fear or out of faith. Fear leads to irrational, selfish, and divisive actions; faith encourages us to remember that God has carried people through crisis situations in the past, that He has given us the ability to reason toward solutions, and that, above all, nothing on earth can separate us from the love of God in Christ. His promise has always been to be with us in trouble, not to remove us from the possibility of harm. It is in those times that his people can be powerful witnesses to an abiding peace that His presence provides.
St. Paul’s will not be holding services for now; but our ministry will continue, and each of us can participate in making that happen. One very simple action we can all take is to use the telephone or email to make more frequent contacts with one another. Why not make it a point to make one, two, or more calls to people within the congregation? Include those whom you do not know well. Get acquainted. Then make a call to someone outside the church, especially those who are elderly or vulnerable to hardship or loneliness.
Another activity can be to follow the devotions set on the church website (www.stpaulsrothsville.org). Look for the “Lent 2020” tab, click on it, and there will be tabs for each week through Easter. Perhaps you could share the thoughts with someone who does not have internet service or does not use a computer. There are no Sunday entries, but sermons from the past are posted under the “Sermons” tab. There will also be a prayer under a tab by that name. In more normal times, that prayer will be the one used in Sunday worship.
Another activity can be the sharing of needs. Especially during what will be difficult times, financial challenges are likely to come upon some of us. Please do not hesitate to make me aware of those needs. There are people who are willing to help in a variety of ways. But they cannot meet needs of which they are not aware. If you are willing to assist in specific ways, let me know that as well. Our Friendship Committee will do what is possible to keep all of us confident in God’s care expressed through God’s people. Be prepared to help others as you are able, providing a different way of managing your goods from those who feel a need to hoard for themselves.
And pray. Pray for your church, your neighbors, your country. Pray for God’s kingdom to be seen and recognized in good times and in hard times. As you pray, remember the Apostle Paul--the one whose name our congregation has assumed--as he wrote to the Philippian church: In everything gives thanks.
Be confident, fear not, and expect the Lord to be near. He is.
May God’s peace be with you,
Rev. Kenneth H. Miller, Pastor
St. Paul’s Evangelical Congregational Church
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St. Paul's Evangelical Congregational Church Rothsville, PA
2120 Main Street Lititz, PA 17543 Phone: 717-626-4657 email: stpaulsrothsville@gmail.com Pastor: Rev. Dr. Kenneth H. Miller Worship Time: Sunday Morning, 10:15 |