When the Pandemic closed everything down on a Friday in March of 2020, the leadership team at St. Paul Lutheran Church sprang into immediate action. Just two days later, the church broadcast its first on-line service via Facebook Live.
As the Pandemic wore on, the technology was upgraded from simply using an iPad to ‘point and shoot’ to volunteer congregational members who are professional videographers.
Services were filled with all of the things people loved, sometimes including music ensembles brought together via Zoom.
No matter the tech being used, congregational members would greet each other in the comment section each week, allowing for a sense of fellowship even though they couldn’t gather in person. Yard signs were given out to show unity and to remind people that although they might be separated physically, as part of the congregation, they are never truly alone.
Within a week of the shut down, the church started sending out nightly devotions to its members. These were led by pastors, DCE, music leaders, the school principal and later, teachers and students. Some were videos and some were written, but all provided Bible-based words of encouragement for the difficult and unprecedented time.
On-line Sunday School and VBS (Volunteers packed hundreds of bags with supplies for pick up.) were offered, as well as Parking Lot Communion and individual, in-person communion scheduled in ten minute slots on an evening and weekday morning.
The sixth graders’ First Communion service was held outside on a gorgeous evening.
In November of 2020, after almost a year as Interim, leading the congregation through unprecedented change in the church and the world, Pastor Bo Graham was officially installed as Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. (He had previously served as Associate Pastor.)
The church’s Bethlehem Walk took on a new look for Christmas in 2020 with a drive-by Nativity. And the 2021 Easter Egg Hunt took to the road, visiting neighborhood houses of congregational members in ‘trick-or-treat’ style to deliver plastic eggs filled with goodies using a contactless ladder chute.
One of St. Paul’s most noteworthy community ministries, Breakfast with Baby, took on a new format as well. The ministry, which Pastor Bo received the Shining Star Open Arms Award for in 2019, provides diapers, clothing, fellowship, Bible study, and breakfast for those in need. Prior to the Pandemic, families were welcomed into the church for breakfast, Bible study, and children’s activities the second Saturday of each month. When the Pandemic struck, the volunteers who oversee this ministry quickly adapted the procedures. Through all seasons and weather conditions, they continued to pass out needed items and groceries in a well-organized, drive-through system, while fostering a sense of connection and community with those who visited. The ministry continues to thrive.
Eventually things started to slowly open up again, and Pastor Bo and Vicar Valencia put together a fun video to show people what to expect when they returned to church in person: entrances and exits, temperature checks, masks, sanitizing, limited numbers, and assigned pews.
Through everything the Pandemic brought, the leadership and congregation of St. Paul Lutheran Church stood strong together: Apart but Not Alone.
