Coronavirus Update 5/4/2020:
Gradual Plan for Reopening Redeemer
Dear members of Redeemer Lutheran Church, on May 1st, 2020, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-26 Roadmap to Reopen Indiana. While this order allows religious gatherings in houses of worship as soon as May 8th, Redeemer’s leadership has decided on a gradual deliberate opening for Redeemer that includes the following plans:
1. Return to Worship on May 30-31: We will return to regular in-person worship services on May 30-31 (Pentecost Sunday). All three services, Sat. 6:30pm, Sun 8:00am & 10:45am, will offer Holy Communion. We will ask all members to continue to observe social distancing, good hygiene practices, and stay home if you are sick. Those over the age of 65, those at medical risk, and those with concerns are encouraged to remain home according to the CDC guidelines. Online worship services will continue to be provided (pre-recorded or live-streamed). Adult Bible class and Youth Group will meet at their regular Sunday times, however, there will be no Sunday School until further notice. Parents are welcome to bring their children to Bible class with them if they so desire.
2. Open hours for Holy Communion: Pastor Kleinschmidt will be at church on Sundays May 10th, 17th, & 24th from 10:00am to Noon for those who desire to receive Holy Communion in small groups or individually—no appointment will be necessary. Please follow the directions of the elders when you arrive at the East entrance.
3. All Services Holy Communion: Beginning May 30-31 until July 4-5, all in-person worship services will offer Holy Communion, providing our members the greatest opportunity to receive the Sacrament.
4. The Church Office Opens May 26: The church office remains closed until May 26 at which time we will resume normal office hours of 10am – 2pm Mon-Fri.
5. Confirmation Class: Beginning May 19, confirmation class will resume using an online format.
6. Midweek Bible Studies/Lifelight on Hiatus: Midweek Bible studies, including LifeLight remain on break and will be re-examined when Indiana moves to Stage 3 of the Governor’s plan (tentatively scheduled for May 24).
7. Vacation Bible School has been cancelled for the summer of 2020.
8. Congregational Assembly Scheduled for September 20: Due to this emergency situation the regular Assembly scheduled for May has been tentatively rescheduled for Sept. 20, 2020 at noon. The election of officers is therefore postponed until that time. Redeemer’s Church Council approved the extension of the current officers’ terms until a new election can be held – President Kaegebein and Vice President Nieman abstained from the vote.
We know that everyone would love to be back to worship and Bible study as quickly as possible, but we feel that a measured approach to reopening is best. In this way, we can continue to be faithful in our devotion, live as good citizens, and balance our freedom with love for our neighbor’s health and wellbeing. This will most likely be a quickly changing situation, and we will try to keep you updated as much as possible. These plans may change. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
--Redeemer Congregation President Don Kaegebein, Vice President Dan Nieman, and Redeemer's Board of Elders and Church Council
Coronavirus Update 4/4/2020:
In Person Services Suspended Until Further Notice
Dear members of Redeemer Lutheran Church, yesterday, April 3, 2020, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb extended the Executive Order for Indiana residents to “Stay at Home” through May 5, 2020. While this order still exempts religious gatherings as long as they comply with the CDC recommendations, Redeemer will not have in-person worship services until further notice. Additionally, most meetings and classes have been cancelled, contact your teacher or chairperson if you have any questions.
Since this is a temporary order issued in an emergency situation designed to protect the public health, we do not feel that it infringes upon our religious liberty or our right to assemble. We appreciate our Indiana state government providing an exception for the essential work of churches and those that provide spiritual care. However, we feel our resources can best be used if we suspend in-person worship services and provide quality opportunities to hear the Word of God through other means.
Services continue to be recorded and broadcast online through YouTube, Facebook, and the Redeemer website. We encourage all members to read God’s Word, pray continually, and have family devotions in the home. Holy Communion can still be received by making an appointment with Pastor Kleinschmidt. The Church Office will be closed during this time, however, the executive order allows us to maintain the building, ensure security, and gather materials to work from home. Pastor Kleinschmidt and Vicar Stoltzman can be reached at home during the stay at home order, their home phone numbers have been printed in every bulletin. If you need those numbers or need to contact Stacy you can email: info@redeemerhighland.org
For those that are able, Redeemer still needs your offerings and gifts. Secure online giving has been made available through VANCO Payment Solutions and there is a link on the church website. Offerings can also be mailed to the church. Thank you.
Please share this information with those Redeemer members who may not have access to the internet or email.
--Redeemer Congregation President Don Kaegebein, Vice President Dan Nieman, and Redeemer's Board of Elders
Coronavirus Update 3/23/2020: Services Suspended
Dear members of Redeemer Lutheran Church, today Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued "Executive Order 20-08 (Stay at Home)" beginning March 25 through April 6. While this order exempts religious gatherings as long as they comply with the CDC recommendations, we think it necessary to cancel in-person worship services until April 6.
Since this is a temporary order issued in an emergency situation designed to protect the public health, we do not feel that it infringes upon our religious liberty or our right to assemble. We appreciate our Indiana state government providing an exception for the essential work of churches and those that provide spiritual care. However, we feel our resources can best be used if we suspend in-person worship services and provide quality opportunities to hear the Word of God through other means.
We will record/live-stream services as we are able on YouTube, Facebook, and the Redeemer website. Holy Communion can still be received by making an appointment with Pastor Kleinschmidt. The Church Office will be closed during this time, however, the executive order allows us to maintain the building, ensure security, and gather materials to work from home. Pastor Kleinschmidt and Vicar Stoltzman can be reached at home during the stay at home order, their home phone numbers have been printed in every bulletin. If you need those numbers or need to contact Stacy you can email: info@redeemerhighland.org
At this time we don't know what will be happening for Holy Week/Easter, we will update everyone when we have more information. Recorded services and information have been made available on our church website: www.redeemerhighland.org. And soon online giving for offerings will also be available. Please share this information with those Redeemer members who may not have access to the internet or email.
--Redeemer Congregation President Don Kaegebein, Vice President Dan Nieman, and Redeemer's Board of Elders
Coronavirus Update 3/20/2020:
"With a handful of confirmed cases in our area, and following our Response/Action Plan, Redeemer has moved to a condition “RED.” Lenten midweek services have been cancelled, however online devotional services will continue to be offered. Worship services on Saturday and Sunday will continue as planned (as of right now), Bible study continues to be offered between services. We plan to offer an online recording of a weekend service for those staying home. At church, we encourage people to sit the recommended 6feet apart and to continue good hygiene practices. The pews, altar rails, and hymnals are being cleaned between services. Little Lambs Preschool has been cancelled and plans to resume 5/1/2020. Confirmation classes are cancelled and plan to resume 4/14/2020. Tuesday morning ladies Bible class has been cancelled until further notice. Most of our meetings have been cancelled, however if you haven’t heard about yours, contact your committee chairperson or group leader. An online giving service is being set up, look for more information in your Redeemer Reminder emails, you can also mail your offerings if you like. Thank you for continuing to support your church and give thanks to God in this difficult time.”
--Redeemer Congregation President Don Kaegebein, Vice President Dan Nieman, and Redeemer's Board of Elders
Coronavirus Update 3/17/2020:
"With a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Community Hospital in Munster today (3/17/2020), and following our Response/Action Plan, Redeemer has moved to a condition "YELLOW." Confirmation classes for Tuesday, 3/17/2020 are canceled and plan to resume 4/14/2020. Dartball for Tuesday, 3/17/2020 has been canceled. Lenten service for Wednesday, 3/18/2020 is canceled but we plan to have a devotion online for your Lenten worship. Worship services on Saturday and Sunday will continue as planned (as of right now). Most of our meetings have been canceled, however if you haven't heard about yours, contact your committee chairperson or group leader. This is a developing situation and we expect more confirmed cases to arise in our community, at which time Redeemer will move to the next level of our response plan and more modifications and/or cancellations may be announced."
--Redeemer Congregation President Don Kaegebein, Vice President Dan Nieman, and Redeemer's Board of Elders
Also, Swaddling Clothes Shopping Day planned for Saturday, March 21st has been canceled.