It has been wonderful these past two Sundays to be able to gather safely for worship outdoors. I appreciate that everyone old enough to wear a mask wore theirs throughout the services. I thoroughly enjoyed joining together in song with other voices live, and for the piano accompaniment for the worship service at University Lutheran.

As promised, the Worship & Music Committee met Monday night to discuss our experiences at UniLu and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.  We then decided that our outdoor worship services for Palm Sunday (3/28) and Easter Sunday (4/4) will be held at 11 AM at University Lutheran in the Sloan Street parking lot. For Easter Sunday we will have an additional outdoor worship opportunity for a sunrise service at the Sanders’ Abundant Blessing Farm. We will still have a 9 AM online service for both Sundays.

I am thankful that over one hundred people of University Lutheran have now received their first vaccine and two thirds of those have received their second. (My first shot was 3/13 and my second will be 4/3). I’m waiting with anticipation to see the Covid test results of Clemson University students and staff to be released by Clemson University on 3/26. I have concern for what is going on in Europe right now with the B117 variant and the frightening news out of Brasil, South America of the P1 variant.

So, I ask you to please remain vigilant. Please get your vaccine if you are eligible. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the vaccine, we have several people in the congregation in the healthcare field more knowledgeable than me who I’m sure would be willing to listen. Please continue to wear your mask, practice physical distancing and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.

From the beginning of the pandemic we’ve said we were going to take our faith and science seriously. This to me is a way of living out the two great commands, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength… and…love your neighbor as yourself.”

God’s peace & hope,

Pastor Jon