St. John's Lutheran Church & School Response to COVID-19

August 2020 update

Worshiping Together in August

As we continue to gather for on-site worship, please make sure to practice the following: 

• If you are considered at “high risk” by the CDC, please remain at home.
• Wear a protective mask during worship.
• Bring hand sanitizer and use it often.
• Remain at least 6 feet from anyone outside your household.
• Enter and Exit through the designated doors.
• Do not shake hands, hug, or make any physical contact with anyone else outside your household.
• Sit in designated areas while keeping your distance from others.

As we approach the month of August, please also be aware of the following changes:

• You will no longer need to sign up for services.
• We will return to our three service worship schedule. (5 p.m. Sat, 8:15 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday) 
• The Lord’s Supper will be offered on the weekends of Aug. 1st/2nd, Aug. 15th/16th, and Aug. 29th/30th toward the end of each service. Distribution will continue to take place in walking (procession) fashion, and after returning to our pews, we will conclude with a brief prayer and a blessing. 

As we slowly return to “normal,” please continue to practice good, safe measures for you and those around you. God’s blessings and health!

School Campus Reopening Plan

Do you have questions about the reopening of St. John's Lutheran School for the 2020-21 school year? You can read the complete Frequently Asked Questions by visiting the school website HERE. If you have a question that wasn't addressed, please call the school office at 616-842-0260.

July 2020 update

Worshiping Together in July

As we begin to gather for on-site worship, please continue to practice the following: 

• If you are considered at “high risk” by the CDC, please consider staying at home.
• Wear a protective mask.
• Bring hand sanitizer and use it often.
• Remain at least 6 feet from anyone outside your household.
• Enter and exit through designated doors.
• Do not shake hands, hug, or make any physical contact with anyone else outside your household.
• Sit in designated areas while keeping your distance from others.
• Do not leave anything behind (i.e. paper, Kleenex)

Please also be aware of the following changes:

• We will return to our three service worship schedule. (5 p.m. Saturday, 8:15 & 10:30 a.m. Sun.) We will no longer offer a Wednesday option.
• During July, our Saturday worship service will be continue to be recorded and placed on our website by Sunday morning for those who are unable to worship in person.
• The Lord’s Supper will be offered on the weekends of July 4/5 and July 18/19 at the end of each service. Following the Benediction, those who wish to leave may do so. For those who stay, we will continue with a short form of the Service of the Sacrament where distribution will take place in walking (procession) fashion. We will process in a manner that allows you to exit the sanctuary once you have received the Body and Blood of our Savior.

Our goal is to slowly return to “normal,” and we want everyone to remain healthy and safe. God’s blessings and health!

Opening for the 2020-21 School Year

In preparation for opening for the upcoming school year, we are sharing our plans to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our St. John’s Lutheran School family. Per Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order MI 2020-142, all public and non-public schools in Michigan that are in operation during Phase 4 and Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan are required to establish a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.

The plans describe the policies and procedures that St. John’s Lutheran School will follow when the region we’re located in is designated as being in Phase 4, Phase 5, or Phase 6.

A copy of the full letter sent to parents and our plans for opening in Phase 4, Phase 5, and Phase 6 are available on our website.

For more information as we prepare to reopen, read the attachments below or visit our website, http://stjohnsgrandhavenschool.com/.