During this difficult time, the CDC and WHO have recommended reduced gathering sizes and social distancing. In response, many churches are offering online opportunities for worship, whether livestreamed or recorded. Please continue to check this page for the most up to date information. Below is a list of some that are available in the Eastern District:
Report with Implications of the Supreme Court Decision
Covid-19 Protocols for NY, PA and MD
Following is a link for “Covid-19 Protocols” from NY, PA, and MD,
for use in your congregation’s ministry.
Churches are not exempt from CDC, State, and Local government instructions.
It is their desire to keep us physically safe.
The charts are intended to instruct you and/or remind you of the required protocols
in your state, subject to government repercussions.
Variations by county may also apply.
Covid-19 Protocols for NY, PA and MD
Start-Up and General Resources
LCEF Resource to assist in the application process for PPP loan forgiveness. CLICK HERE
Questions to Ask Before Restarting On-Site Worship – CLICK HERE
Opening Up America Again – CLICK HERE
White House National Faith Leaders Call On COVID Response – CLICK HERE
The Church of 2030 Looks Very Different…and That Future is Bright! – CLICK HERE
Sample Rules for Electronic Voting – CLICK HERE
Attendance Tracking Practices During COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Orders – CLICK HERE
Directives for the Resumption of Public Worship –CLICK HERE
NY Forward Business Re-opening Safety Plan Template – CLICK HERE
CDC’s Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith – CLICK HERE
CDC’s Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses,
Schools, and Homes – CLICK HERE
CDC’s About Cloth Face Coverings (Masks) – CLICK HERE
LCMS Welcome Back Media Kit for Congregational Use – CLICK HERE
Dr. Anthony Fauci: To keep churches safe, use masks, limit singing and wait
to resume Communion – CLICK HERE
HVAC Information for Eastern District Congregations –
ASHRAE Guidance for Eastern District Congregations – CLICK HERE
Church Facility Systems and Covid-19 PDF – CLICK HERE
Keeping Children and Teens Safe While Ministering Online – CLICK HERE
The Return of the Gathered Saints From Pandemic Exile – As we consider initial steps to God’s people once again gathering in our sanctuaries across the Eastern District after the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan District, LCMS offers some guidance through this blog post based upon learnings from Nehemiah’s return from the Babylonian Exile in order to rebuild the breached wall of Jerusalem. To think that we will simply be going back to business as usual is most likely very short-sighted. Society will have changed. Our people will be changed by their experience(s) and our manner of ministry will be changed: some good, and some difficult to understand at this time – CLICK HERE.
Before We Gather – Open communication about what to expect, and any changes you plan to implement will help alleviate fear and anxiety. Ask yourself what you’d want to know, if you were a greeter, staff member, elderly church member, etc. Then, develop answers. This article on communication by Brotherhood Mutual will help get you started. – CLICK HERE
Making Sure Your Virtual Church Meeting is Legally Valid – for online webinar, CLICK HERE
(Note: A PDF handout for this presentation is available on the same page as the webinar access)
Navigating the Next Steps with a Paycheck Protection Program Loan – CLICK HERE
How churches can prepare to apply for loan forgiveness.
Stewardship Resources
CARES Act and Families First Coronavirus Response Act information as provided by Concordia Plans Services and updated on a timely basis – CLICK HERE
ST. LUKE (CHEEKTOWAGA, NY)
1) Bi-monthly offering packets are mailed to member homes, by our supplier This a great way to remind members that the church is still alive and going.
2) Approximately ten-fifteen members have monthly/weekly checks automatically drawn against their account, and mailed to the church.
3) On-line payments via easyTithe. So far thirty-one members have enrolled.
If there is a need, I will be happy to assist anyone who would like all of the details regarding these tools. Have them call me, Ken Knoll, at 716-683-7242)or Karen Baglio at St. Luke.
FOLLOWING ARE SUGGESTIONS of potential electronic online giving providers for your congregation as submitted by your sister Eastern District congregations:
> Joyful Response from LCEF (using Vanco)
> Stewardship Technology
> Giving Fuel
> Tith.ly
> Vanco
> Thrivent Personal Donations
> LCMS Foundation Online Giving
> Thrivent Federal Credit Union
Online Worship Models
- Ascension, Pittsburgh, PA: CLICK HERE for a recording of the Wednesday March 18th Lent service. More links to follow at https://ascensionpgh.com/.
- Bethel, Glenshaw, PA: Livestreaming on Facebook and www.bethelglenshaw.org.
- Calvary, Murrysville, PA: Link to watch sermons via YouTube at www.calvarylcms.org.
- Christ, Pittsburgh (Forest Hills), PA: Recorded weekly worship available at christlutheranfh.org and at our Youtube channel.
- Christ Memorial, Malvern, PA: Streaming on the media tab of the website: www.christmemorial.us. Services at 6:45 pm Weds night and Sundays at 8:30 and 11am. Facebook live @CMLCSMalvern.
- Concordia, Brockport/St. John, Youngstown, NY: Available at the church website, which includes a link to YouTube at the top.
- Concordia, Pittsburgh, PA: Sermons will be added to our YouTube Channel around noon Sunday, and Wednesday evenings during Lent.
- Faith, Easton, PA: Services are available on their Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakCC7lzE9QIq85ltvvrm-Q
- Faith, Rochester, Penfield, NY: Livestream worship link or Bible classes.
- First Trinity, Tonawanda, NY: offering the following at FirstTrinity.com/youtube: Livestream Wednesday, 7 p.m. Lenten Services, the Sunday 8:45 Traditional service, and the Sunday 11:15 Contemporary service until May 10. During Livestream services, only essential people will be present in the building (those who are leading in some way). People will be able to watch live or access the video later on YouTube. FT Kids will Livestream a lesson at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Kids will be able to watch live, or access the video later on YouTube.
- Good Shepherd, Canandaigua, NY: Virtual service and materials available HERE.
- Good Shepherd, Pittsburgh, South Hills, PA: Sermons on our website and will be posted on Facebook.
- Good Shepherd, State College, PA: Wednesday night prayer service via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/bryan.spang. Saturday morning service to be recorded and then uploaded to www.goodshepherdsc.org.
- Grace, Bradford, PA: Lenten messages on Facebook.
- Grace, Canastota, NY: Streaming services on Sunday on Zoom and on Facebook live (Pastor Burch’s Facebook account).
- Grace, Niagara Falls, NY: Live streaming every Sunday Morning, 10:30 AM on Youtube. Current information will be at www.gracenf.org.
- Grace, Pittsburgh (Penn Hills), PA: Live on Facebook. Please email Pastor Greenway at revblgreenway@gmail.com for a copy of worship materials.
- Holy Cross, Clarence, NY: Video recorded stream of the Sunday service on Facebook and http://www.holycrossclarence.com/.
- Hope, Levittown, PA: Services available on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQqrGAlOd7guwNsq_vtPkJg.
- Hope, Rochester, NY: Online services can be found at https://sharethehope.org/worship/messagesonline/.
- Immanuel, East Aurora, NY: Worship services at https://www.immanuellutheranea.com/ beginning March 29th.
- Immanuel, Tonawanda, NY: Facebook Live stream at https://www.facebook.com/ILCTonawanda/ and saved recordings on YouTube and query Immanuel Lutheran Church Tonawanda.
- Mount Olive, Lockport, NY: Livestreaming services on Sundays at 8:30 AM and Lent services on Wednesdays at 7 PM at Mount Olive Lutheran Church.
- Peace, Scranton, PA: Livestreaming at https://www.facebook.com/peacelutheranchurchscranton/.
- Prince of Peace, Freedom, PA: Remote services (Sundays at 9:30 AM) via telephone (conference call) and Facebook live. Call in at: Dial-in number (US): (425) 436-6356, Access code: 654289# International dial-in numbers: https://fccdl.in/i/robertwacker. Or Online: Online meeting ID: robertwacker Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/robertwacker. Or in App: Apple; Android; Desktop
- Risen Christ, Fairport, NY: https://www.facebook.com/RCLCMinistry/.
- Salem, Buffalo, NY: Both Sunday and Wednesday services available at salembuffalo.com.
- Salem, Springville, NY: PRERECORDED Worship Services (Sunday morning 8 AM release). NO ZOOM
Available on FACEBOOK page (Salem Springville) and our webpage (salemspringville.org).
- St. John’s, Depew, NY: radio broadcast at 11 AM on WXRL 1300AM or 95.5 FM. The stream is downloaded to the website every week @ www.sjlcdepew.com.
- St. John, Farmington, NY: Facebook Live streaming at www.facebook.com/pumpkinhook.
- St. John, Hamlin, NY: Messages will be on their Facebook Page.
- St. John, North Tonawanda, NY: Livestream every service at https://www.facebook.com/stjohnnt/.
- St. Johns, Orchard Park, NY: Posting a weekly worship service to the front page of their website, www.stjohnsop.com and our church Facebook Page. Will also post something for Wednesday Lenten worship, probably around 7 PM.
- St. Luke, Cabot, PA: offering daily devotions and Sunday worship on our website stlukecabot.org and on youtube.com
- St. Luke, Cheektowaga, NY: Sermons online and on YouTube. CLICK HERE.
- St. Paul, Clarence Center, NY: Facebook.com/stpaulclarencecenter/. They likely will have bulletin, discussion questions and videos, probably published Sunday morning.’s
- St. Paul’s, Eden, NY: Worship service is in a facebook group “St. Paul’s Eden Worship” at 10 AM.
- St. Mark, Mendon, NY: Facebook Live at facebook.com/stmarkmendon.
- St. Mark, North Tonawanda, NY: Will live stream Sunday 10:30am on St. Mark’s facebook page and have it available at https://www.stmarknt.org/.
- St. Paul, Hilton, NY: Worship will be broadcast via website www.stpaulhilton.org and Facebook Live @StPaulHiltonNY.
- St. Paul, North Tonawanda, NY: weekly worship service ill wbe available on their website https://stpaulnt.com/.
- St. Peter’s, Wilkes-Barre, PA: offering a prayer service every weekday at 10 AM and Sunday Worship at 9 a.m. via Facebook live.
- Trinity, Ashford, NY: Livestreaming at https://www.facebook.com/Ashford-Trinity-Lutheran-Church-1831126737149003/‘
- Trinity, Wellsboro, PA: Services are available on their Facebook page.
- Zion, Bridgeville, PA: At 8 AM. On the website at www.zlcb.org. Archive of Videos (mostly complete services): http://www.zlcb.org/video. Archive of Audio Recordings (Old Testament reading, Epistle reading, Gospel reading and Sermon): http://www.zlcb.org/sermons. Our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/webmaster4ZLCB.
We were asked about options for those with hearing impairments. Here are some options:
· Good Shepherd, Toledo, OH: Facebook group or Good Shepherd Facebook
· Holy Cross Lutheran Deaf, St. Louis, MO: Facebook Live or www.holycrossdeaf.org
· Light Cast Media: Resource for managing livestreaming, closed caption, etc.
OTHER RESOURCES
- HomeTouch: A ministry to the homebound
- Kairos Network: Links from Learning How to Livestream
- Lutheran Hour Ministries
- Worship Anew
Other Creative Ideas
- Concordia Plans: CLICK HERE for ways they can help.
- First Trinity, Tonawanda, NY: FT Kids will Livestream a lesson at 10 AM on Sunday mornings. Kids will be able to watch live, or access the video later on YouTube.
- Good Shepherd, Canandaigua, NY: Roxann Muller, preschool director, is sending a sheet with links to a story video and others things to their preschool families. She would be glad to create a distribution list for anyone who wants those resources. They will need to be able to print out sheets she is sending with things to do. She can be contacted via email at ewe@frontiernet.net.
- Good Shepherd, State College, PA: Facebook live “Fireside Devotion and Prayer” at 8 AM every morning (except Sunday morning). They are going through the Gospel of John one chapter at a time. People can join in by searching for “Bryan Spang” on Facebook. The video will also be posted on their Website at www.goodshepherdsc.org.
- Grace, Canastota, NY: Several members have decided to take up the good old phone calls and are having some wonderful conversations with those of who are house bound.
- Holy Cross, Clarence, NY: Sunday morning Adult Bible Study will be taking place digitally through Zoom Meetings at the regularly scheduled time, 9:30-10:30 AM. Please contact Pastor Jeff Nickel at pastornickel.holycross@gmail.com for the Zoom invitation information.
- Lutheran Hour Ministries: CLICK HERE for their special Covid-19 page with studies to help.
- Peace, Scranton, PA: Peace Pandemic Caller bingo – call every member on your bingo Card to see how they’re doing. First one that finishes all four cards gets Facebook Famous. Encouraging prayer walking, the forming of House churches with neighbors in groups of ten or less. Wednesday lunchtime Bible study on what the Bible says about the “End Times” starting April 8 on Zoom. Live stream Academy chapels service Wednesday mornings, live stream worship at 10:30 on Sunday.
- Prince of Peace, Freedom, PA: Monday through Saturday: Morning Prayer at 7 AM; Evening Prayer 8:30 PM (except Thursday @ 7 PM until Holy Week, along with Good Friday @ 7 PM if self distancing is still in place) via Facebook.
- Salem, Springville, NY: Monday – Friday new daily: ‘Morning Inspirations’ (7 AM release), ‘The Light of Jesus @ Lunch’ (12 noon release), ‘Bedtime Bible Stories’ (7 PM release). NO ZOOM ID & Password necessary as these are all prerecorded and made available on our FACEBOOK page (Salem Springville) and our webpage (salemspringville.org). In addition: Bible studies (Wednesday @ 1 ‘Book of Daniel’, and Thursday 4 pm ‘Discovering The Faith) require pre-notification as the Zoom ID and passwords change weekly.
-
St. John’s, Orchard Park, NY: Posting daily to their YouTube channel with devotions and encouragements. Also doing the same on Sunday mornings for adult Bible study. They are going through the Gospel of Matthew.
- St. Luke, Cabot, PA: Video messages from the Pastors, daily devotions written by staff, Zoom web-conf bible studies for college and high school students available at https://www.stlukecabot.org/covid-19.
- St. Mark, North Tonawanda, NY: Offers Virtual Sunday School lessons with Miss Amanda: https://www.stmarknt.org/virtual-sunday-school-lessons
- St. Paul’s, Eden, NY: Offering on Facebook Bible Study – 10 AM every Tuesday morning; Story Time with Pastor Thursday March 26th at 10 AM and then every Wednesday that follows at 10 AM. (It’s just Pastor Lutz telling stories he has written and then discussing them and talking about how to write stories.) On Zoom: Lenten Bible Study that focuses on inspiring videos at 7 PM. At 9:30 AM Thursday mornings starting April 2nd is a bible studly jointly lead by Pastor Tom Lutz and his brother, Steve Lutz (Pastor in Elmore, OH). Studying brother sin the Bible. Anyone who would like to join these on Zoom send an email to Pastor Lutz at clement9@aol.com to receive an invite.
- St. Peter’s, Wilkes-Barre, PA: offering a prayer service every weekday at 10 AM via Facebook live at facebook.com/saintpeterswb/.
- TJ Mudd, Organist: Offering a nightly hymn sing at 9 PM on his Facebook page.