Coronavirus Update

We will not be gathering for public worship on Palm Sunday, April 5 and Easter Sunday, April 12. Prerecorded online worship will be continuing for the foreseeable future. Public worship would not commence again until May (May 3 or May 10 TBD). These decisions are consistent with our concerns for the health of our church members and our fellow citizens, communities, country and world at large.

Online Worship

On Sunday, April 5 We will enter into our online Holy Week services with Palm Sunday. Our youth are making plans for a special message. I will be leading from my neighborhood. More details will be shared next week on our online Holy Week services and Easter. Instructions and the Sunday bulletin will be sent to members on Saturday via email and public Facebook posts as to viewing both the prerecorded worship service and finding it online at the church’s webpage  and YouTube channel.

Holy Week  Bulletins & instructions for “at home” Maundy Thursday’s Love Feast and Good Friday’s Tenebrae Service will be emailed to church member households early next week. We hope to make these Facebook or Zoom Live events, too. Stay tuned!

Office Hours, Staffing and Pastoral Care
The church office hours have changed to Monday-Friday, 9 am to Noon.

Amy Lane, church office coordinator, will continue with usual church operations and needs. The reduction in hours reflects faithfulness to “shelter in place” mandates and the ongoing needs of both the building and the congregation. Staff can be reached by their cellphones and email addresses. As always, Pastor David Aslesen can be reached for any member and church needs at 708.441.5179 (call or text) and pastordavid@parkridgeumc.org.

Our primary calling as church in this time is to keep our congregation safe and connected to God, to one another and to the people & communities we serve. There is great love to be made known in this time – for friend and neighbor alike. My prayer is this difficult decision may reveal our church’s desire to be proactive and caring as we listen to and follow the lead of the international and local medical community on helping to limit the spread of the coronavirus in our area. It is critical that we care for each other, listen for God’s wisdom, and support the work of the church.

Rev. David Aslesen, Pastor

First UMC Park Ridge • 418 West Touhy Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068 • 847-825-3144
office@parkridgeumc.org

Staying Safe: USEFUL FACTS about the COVID-19 Virus