Update 3/26/2020

Peace be with you all during these uncertain times. I am grateful that while so many things around us are changing, we have a God who is and forever will be our rock that we can depend on and who will see us through any trials we may face. Here are a few updates and information about how we can continue to worship and care for one another during this pandemic.

• In-Person Worship Suspension Extended. In compliance with the Bishop's recommendation, all in-person events, including in-person worship, are suspended until May 10th, 2020. You can find his recommendation here: https://www.mittensynod.org/news/bishop-satterlees-letter-on-gov-whitmers-executive-order/
• Changes in Worship Format. In light of the Governor's most recent order, it is no longer appropriate for a small group of worship leaders to gather at the church to prepare virtual worship services. Therefore, I will be leading these services solo at my home in a simplified format. We are exploring creative ways to include the congregation in worship!
• Links to Virtual Worship Services. The best way to stay connected is to join our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ASLCMason. If you don't have Facebook you can still see our worship videos on our All Saints YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfVEZ8S5ihVLTnpxFmy9ozw/featured. And to see my Kid's Bible Story Time videos click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNe42vw48DkKst1fOoFVrYQ
• Submit an Easter Greeting to your Church Family. We want to put together a special Easter video featuring all of you! Please send me a brief video of an Easter greeting you would like to send to the congregation and I will edit all your messages together into a special Easter video. Please either e-mail your greeting to pastor@allsaintsmason.org or text it to (517)290-0412. Thank you for your participation!
• Pray Without Ceasing. And of course continue to pray for your sisters and brothers in Christ during these challenging times! We may not be able to be physically together but we can still hold one another in prayer!

Sincerely, 

Pastor Christin Fawcett

March 13, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, All Saints Lutheran Church is cancelling in-person worship and events for the remainder of the month of March. This decision was made with careful deliberation by your church council, taking into consideration recommendations from the Michigan Bishops of the ELCA and Episcopalian churches, the Governor of Michigan, and the City of Mason. We recognize that All Saints has a very large elderly population and we do not want to risk exposure to anyone, especially not these at-risk members. Please do your part to prevent the spread of this virus by washing hands and staying home whenever possible. Also, try to think of ways you can help anyone in our congregation or community who might be struggling with this challenging situation. One way you can help is by donating extra food to our food pantry. The church will be open from 10:00am-noon on Sunday so that you can drop off your non-perishable food items. 

The church will not hold regular office hours during March, so if you need to make an appointment, please contact me via e-mail, pastor@allsaintsmason.org. Committees that are planning to meet in March are encouraged to either meet via video chat, conference call, or postpone meeting until a later date. Our hope is that the church will resume regular activities starting with Palm Sunday worship on April 5th and we will communicate clearly as that date approaches.

Please keep an eye on our Facebook site, as I am hoping to provide messages, prayers, and Bible Studies through social media as a way to stay connected and stay focused on God during this unusual time. It is fitting that this forced Sabbath takes place during Lent to give us extra time to reflect, pray, and meditate on God’s word. Perhaps this time away will make our Easter celebration all the more joyful when we can finally come together to offer our praise and thanks to God, our great Healer.

In Christ’s Peace,

Pastor Christin Fawcett