Rochester, MN
HomeCovid-19 Updates

Covid-19 Updates

Returning to Worship:

  • Worship Services will continue to be live-streamed for those who feel more comfortable worshiping from home. Watch starting at 8:00AM or anytime afterward on our website or Youtube channel.
  • Masks are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for all who can wear them, especially older children, youth, and adults. (We recognize the difficulty masks present for younger children!) Those leading worship will not wear masks in the chancel so they can be heard clearly by all, but will wear a mask when greeting others and distributing communion.
  • If you or anyone in your household is sick in any way, or if you know you have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days, please stay at home.
  • Please maintain physical distance of six feet or more when you are in the building.
  • Please sanitize your hands on the way in and out of worship. Common hygiene and sanitizing protocols will be taken before, during, and after all services.
  • There will be minimal to no singing. Hymns or songs will be projected/printed and played while we meditate on the words, and/or a singer will sing them for us. (Singing will still be done into a microphone at least at the 8:00AM service for the sake of the YouTube and radio worshipers.)
  • Offerings will be gathered by placing them in the plates as you enter or leave.
  • When the Lord’s Supper is celebrated, the pastors and elders will be bringing it to you in the pews.
  • Dress comfortably. Exterior doors will be left open as much as possible, which will decrease the effectiveness of the air conditioning.
  • Please help your children follow physical distancing guidelines. If you feel the need to take your children out of the sanctuary during worship, the narthex is available, as well as the nursery at Saturday and Sunday services.
  • Please patiently follow the directions of the pastors, elders, or ushers. We are trying to make these services as safe as possible for everyone, while also keeping a welcoming and reverent atmosphere.

Specifics for each service:

Wednesday Services, 6PM
Wednesday Services:
This will be a brief 15-20 minute service with Holy Communion.
1. Entry:
– Main parking lot doors. The door will be propped open. Please do not congregate in the narthex.
2. Seating:
– Every other pew, alternating sides, where cushions are down. “Sit where it’s soft.”
– One family group per cushion. Individuals may sit on opposite ends of a cushion.
– Please fill in the seats towards the front of the sanctuary first.
Seating
3. Orders of worship:
– A majority of the orders of worship will be placed in the pews. If you need extra for your family group, they will be available. Please take them home with you.
– Our goal is for this service to last no more than 20 minutes for the time being, so there will be no sermon at this service. You may find the sermon on-line on or after Sunday.
4. Exit:
– Please maintain physical distance as you leave the building. Greet one another outside as much as possible. To aid in this, you may be ushered out, beginning with those in the back.
Saturday Services, 5:30PM
Saturday Services:
This will be an abbreviated 45 minute service.
1. Entry:
– Any door. Doors will be propped open. Please do not congregate in the narthex.
2. Seating:
– Every other pew, where cushions are down. “Sit where it’s soft.”
– In general, sit one family group per pew. Couples or individuals may sit on opposite ends of a pew. Three individuals may even sit in one pew, one on each end and one in the middle. Do not climb over someone to get into the middle or other end of the pew.
– Please offset your seating. If the person, couple, or family in front of you is seated on an end, sit towards the middle of the next available pew—and vice versa.
3. Orders of worship:
– We will project the entire service, but some sight-saving editions will be available.
– We plan for these services to last 45 minutes or less, and will include the sermon.
4. Exit:
– Please maintain physical distance as you leave the building. Greet one another outside as much as possible. To aid in this, you may be ushered out, beginning with those in the back.
Sunday Services, 8 & 9:45AM
Sunday Services:
This will be 1 hour services with time in between to sanitize.
1. Entry:
– Any door. Doors will be propped open. Please do not congregate in the narthex.
2. Seating:
– Every other pew, where cushions are down. “Sit where it’s soft.”
– In general, sit one family group per pew. Couples or individuals may sit on opposite ends of a pew. Three individuals may even sit in one pew, one on each end and one in the middle. Do not climb over someone to get into the middle or other end of the pew.
– Please offset your seating. If the person, couple, or family in front of you is seated on an end, sit towards the middle of the next available pew—and vice versa.
– The Faith and Family Center will be opened if extra seating becomes necessary. Chairs will be set at 6-foot intervals. However, family groups may move chairs closer together when they arrive.
3. Orders of worship:
– We will project the entire service, but some sight-saving editions will be available.
4. Exit:
– Please maintain physical distance as you leave the building. Greet one another outside as much as possible.
– To aid in this, you will be ushered out. One usher will begin with those in the back. A second usher will begin at the front for those who wish to exit through the front chapel doors.

Covid-19 Preparedness Plan

For Trinity’s full Covid-19 Preparedness Plan, please see this document.

We are here to help!

  • Able to help out? In need of help? Fill out the form below or contact: Pastor Schwartz, Pastor Haak, DCE Mark Cook or the Church Office
  • Caring members of Trinity are ready to assist with childcare, errands, groceries, prayer, or other needs.
  • Pray for God’s protection, for those caring for the sick and the suffering, for wisdom for those who are seeking to lead and guide us in this time.