Welcome to Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity is a strong, vibrant, energetic congregation of God's people. We give God thanks for all of the blessings God has bestowed on our congregation and we ask for God's guidance as we work to strengthen our discipleship.
All are Welcome!
At Trinity we celebrate God’s children in all of our beautiful forms. We open our hearts and church to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, social status, political views, abilities, who we are or who we love. Together we strive to grow in love and joyfully serve God, our community and the whole of God’s creation. We make this journey together.
Indoor Worship - Beginning November 7
On Sunday, November 7th we will begin a new worship schedule. We will have one hybrid service at 10 a.m. You are welcome to attend in person in the sanctuary or remotely via the live stream.
We believe that the high vaccination rate of our members and use of the following precautions minimize the risk of viral spread sufficiently for us to return to the building; however, each individual and family will need to decide if they are ready to worship in person.
Please note: Our decisions are closely tied to key health metrics and negative changes to these metrics may cause us to cancel or pause in-person worship. We recommend checking the website and/or Facebook page on Sunday morning for up to date notice of potential cancellation of the in-person worship.
Here’s what we’re going to do to keep one another safe:
- Vaccination. This is the most important way we can keep one another safe. If you are eligible for vaccination and haven’t received it yet, please visit this website to find an appointment: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine. Reach out to the church office for assistance in making an appointment if needed. Vaccination is not required to attend worship, but it is highly recommended.
- Masking. Everyone is required to wear a mask indoors; worship leaders may remove their masks when speaking. The mask must cover your mouth and nose at all times.
- Testing. We encourage everyone to be tested for COVID-19 if you have any symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID.
- Ventilation. While the weather allows, we will open the doors during worship and use the ceiling fans to circulate the air. Please dress accordingly.
- Communion. For now, we will commune using prepackaged communion kits.
- Music. A cantor will sing the hymns and liturgy on behalf of the congregation. We invite you to listen prayerfully and worship in spirit rather than raise our voices in song. If you cannot resist, you are welcome to quietly hum along under your mask.
- Contact tracing. Pre-registration is required to attend in-person worship. The link for pre-registration will be available in the newsletter and on the website. When you arrive, please check in at the table. If anyone falls ill with COVID-19, we will contact you.
- Worship at home when sick. If you do not feel well in any way, stay home. If you have a fever or any respiratory symptoms: a cough, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, sore throat, or other COVID-19 related symptoms, stay home and get tested. Livestream worship options will continue and we look forward to worshipping with you remotely.
- Coffee hour. After worship, please leave the building promptly. Those who desire to share fellowship time may do so outside in the fresh air without food or beverages. Our virtual Zoom coffee hour will continue.
- Physical Distance. In addition to vaccination, masking, and testing, we will maintain 6 feet of distance, and limit the number of people in the sanctuary. We understand that it will be exciting to be together again and ask you to be respectful of personal space (not everybody is comfortable shaking hands, hugging, conversing in close proximity).
We will continue to evaluate our practices as conditions change. If we experience a surge in the winter months or a newly dangerous variant, we may transition back to livestream worship only. As conditions improve, our precautions may change accordingly.
We are grateful to God that we will be able to meet in person, even though we know the experience will not be the same. Please continue to hold one another in prayer as we take these next steps in our life together.
Pre-registration is required to attend in-person worship.
(Watch this space for online registration).
Outdoor Worship - concludes on Oct. 31
As the weather gets colder, our reopening team has announced indoor worship starting on November 7. After October 31, we will no longer have a 9am outdoor service, only the 10am indoor service & livestream.
Caring for the well-being of ALL in our congregation is at the core of all our guidance – we thank all for your part in gathering safely.
Guidelines for Outdoor Worship
- Pre-registration is not required, but we will ask folks to check-in for contact tracing, if needed.
- All worshipers – vaccinated or not – should only attend worship if you are feeling well and not exhibiting any symptoms of Covid-19.
- Plan to arrive no earlier than 8:45am for the 9:00am worship.
- Bring your own chair(s).
- You will receive an individually packaged communion set, if you’d like to receive communion.
- There will be spaces marked for those who prefer to distance, see Lawn Layout.
- Ushers will direct you to sign-in all members of your household and direct you to a seating area per your preference.
- Following the CDC Guidance – we are asking unvaccinated members to continue to mask and social distance. We welcome masks for anyone who chooses to wear them.
- We understand that it will be exciting to be together again and ask you to be respectful of personal space. (Not everybody is comfortable shaking hands, hugging, conversing in close proximity).
- At the conclusion of worship, the ushers will dismiss members in an orderly fashion.
- If, after gathering at Trinity, you are diagnosed with Covid-19 – we ask you to contact the church office so that we can conduct confidential contact tracing to others you may have had close contact with. Names will not be shared as part of our contract tracing.
Weather Cancellations
Check the Trinity website and the Trinity Facebook page for announcements. We will post something by 7:00am Sunday.
Worship via Live Stream 10am Sunday
Indoor Worship Resumes
On Sunday, November 7th we will begin a new worship schedule. See more about reopening plans here. Watch this page for further details.
Our Blessing & Charge
Go out into the world in peace;
have courage;
hold on to what is good;
return no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted;
support the weak, and help the suffering;
honor all people;
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.Beloved in the Lord,
God has shown you what is good.What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.*
*From This Far By Faith, p. 90. This Far by Faith is one of the many ELCA books of worship, much like the ELW. This Far by Faith celebrates the abundant gifts of African American worship and song.