Worship Relocation Guide
April 2024 - November 2024
Wherever Two or Three Gather in my name...
After many years of planning, it’s finally time to move Forward. The sanctuary where we have gathered to worship for more than a century is about to undergo a major renovation. Over the next few months, we anticipate that the improvements are going to be a great blessing to our church. And the process of seeing it come together will be a blessing, too.
Every so often, God’s people have to answer the question, “Where do we go from here?” or “Where will we worship?” It’s a question that calls for patience and trust.
In the Old Testament, Israelites spent time moving the Tabernacle from one camp to another. In the New Testament, Christians met wherever they could, from catacombs to cathedrals. Even today, many of our fellow brothers and sisters in WELS gather for worship in rented banquet rooms and borrowed public school cafeterias. A cross, some candles, and a box of bulletins are all that’s needed. In the world mission field, Christians regularly gather outdoors or in buildings that are beautiful, even though their floors are just dirt!
As we undergo our renovation, we’ll be relocating worship from our sanctuary to our school cafeteria for a period of about six months, from April 2024 to November 2024. As we do, we wanted to offer some pastoral encouragement:
First, remember that worshipping in an unfamiliar place can often be a good thing. It leads us to remember what is at the heart of why we gather at all. Read Matthew 18:20, Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 84, or John 6:66-69.
Secondly, remember that worshipping in an unfamiliar place can be challenging for us and others. If there are any accomodations that may help you in worship, let us know. At the same time, consider how you might be able to help others. Volunteer as a coffee server, an usher, or even as a friendly face offering greetings and opening doors.
Finally, remember that worshipping in an unfamiliar place is only temporary. Soon, we’ll be back to old and new routines in the renovated sanctuary. In the meantime, notice how much of how we worship stays the same. We gather around God’s Word, enjoy his sacraments, and encourage each other. Brothers and sisters, let us not give up meeting together...but rather encourage each other, and all the more as you see the Day approaching! (Hebrews 10:25)
Serving you in Christ,
The Emanuel Pastoral Team
Worship in the School Commons
WHERE WILL WE WORSHIP?
During the renovation, which begins April 1, 2024, worship will be held in the school Commons. The lunch tables will be removed and chairs will be set up in two banks facing the stage with a center aisle. The Commons stage will be transformed into a reverent chancel area with an altar, baptismal font, and pulpit. Two banners will adorn the stage area in the liturgical color of the season.
what will worship be like?
Worship in the commons may look a little different, but it will feel familiar! We will use the same well-loved liturgies, hymns, and prayers. Music will be accompanied by the grand piano every week. Worship will sometimes also be adorned by instruments, soloists, or choirs. We will still have children’s sermons on Sundays every other week. The pastors will still wear robes and vestments and will use microphones to be heard.
Worship Floorplan during Renovation
Parking and Entrances
Parking during Renovation
Where Should I Park and Enter?
Worshippers are welcome to park in any of the current parking areas. The overflow parking lot on the north side of Quincy Street will be closed for construction equipment and a handful of east parking spaces will be blocked off for dumpsters. The most direct entrances to the new worship space will be Door 9 (by the school playground) and Doors 2 & 3 (by the by the north flagpole). Door 1 and Door 10 will also still be in use. Handicapped parking spaces will still be available.
What to Expect for Worship
what are the service times?
Services will be held Saturdays at 5:15 p.m. and Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Monday night worship will be suspended for the duration of the renovation.
Will there be screens or Bulletins?
The entire service will be printed in the bulletin each week. Large-print bulletins will also be available. We will not use projected presentations during the renovation. Bibles and hymnals will be available on rolling carts for anyone who wishes to use them. Worship folders and announcements are also available on our website.
what about communion?
We will continue to enjoy the Lord’s Supper every other week. We will use the “continuous flow” method with which we are familiar. Worshippers will be dismissed by ushers to walk down the center aisle to the front of the room where they will receive the sacrament and then return to their seats. You may still commune in family groups, as you do now. You will not need to walk up the stage steps. The pastors will distribute the sacrament from the floor level.
Will we gather an OFFERING?
Yes, ushers will continue to collect offerings as part of the service in the Commons. You may also choose to give offerings online or mail your gifts, as you have been doing.
what about connection cards?
Connection Cards are an important tool for collecting worship attendance information and following up with visitors and members. There will be tables by all entrances with Connection Cards, pens, and boxes. Please fill out a card on your way in or out of worship. Connection Cards are also available online.
WILL WORSHIP BE ON THE radio and YouTube?
Yes! We will continue to broadcast our service on the radio on 92.3 FM WJMQ each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. We will also continue the Youtube livestream which can accessed through our website. Homebound members will continue to receive bulletins in the mail in advance of the weekend services.
Bible Class & Special Events
Bible Class
Sunday morning Bible classes will continue throughout the renovation. We will use the music room, the Community Room, and school classrooms for Bible studies. Look for information in the yellow announcements page about where each study will meet.
Sunday School
The last weekend of Sunday School for the 2023-24 school year will be March 24. Sunday School will then be on hiatus and will resume in November 2024.
“Jesus and me” (JAM!)
Yes! The JAM ministry to young families will continue as scheduled. Depending on the weather, JAM might be held outside or at an alternate location. Look for information from Mrs. D in the yellow announcements and via email.
confirmation
Confirmation will take place in a special service on Sunday, May 5, at 1:00 p.m. This will be a combined service for both students from Emanuel and PSI. This special time is to alleviate crowds from the 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. services in the morning.
vacation bible school (VBS)
VBS for kids in preschool through Grade 5 will still be held this summer using the fun construction theme: “Building your Faith.” Mark your calendar for July 15-19, 2024. Registration information will be announced shortly. Contact Youth Minister Jack Vande Guchte if you’d like to help out!
voter’s meetings
Quarterly voter’s meetings will be held in the school Commons on the following dates: April 21, 2024; June 16, 2024; October 20, 2024.
Funerals, Weddings, & Baptisms
funerals
Our pastors will continue to serve families who have a loved one pass into glory during the renovation. Families may choose to hold visitations and funeral services at a local WELS church (Bethlehem Lutheran in Hortonville, St. Peter’s Lutheran in Weauwega, etc), at the chapel at the funeral home, or in our Commons worship space. The pastors, funeral home, and family will work together closely to make sure that respectful and meaningful accommodations are made for each family.
weddings
If you are looking to get married between April and November 2024 please reach out to one of our pastors. They would be glad to talk with you about your wedding plans and help you to find a meaningful location.
baptisms
We would love to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism during the renovation! The temporary worship space will have a baptismal font which will remind worshippers every week of their own baptisms. Families may schedule a baptism as part of a worship service in the Commons. They may also opt for a private baptism to be scheduled with the pastors. No matter what the location, the water and Word will be present, and the baptism will create faith and bring a new member into God’s family!
Frequently Asked Questions
What about parents with small children?
Parents who would like to quiet small children and nursing mothers can use the nearby Guided Studies room as a quiet and private location. Busy bags and coloring sheets for young children will still be available in the Commons. The gym will not be available for use during worship, due to noise concerns. The men's and women's restrooms on the west side of the commons are equipped with changing tables.
Will there be a hearing loop?
We do not have a hearing loop installed in the Commons so that service will not be available during the renovation. Worshippers needing hearing assistance are encouraged to sit toward the front for the best sound quality.
Is the commons wheelchair accessible?
Ushers will be happy to help members with mobility needs find their preferred seating by removing chairs to make additional space at any location in the Commons. Worshippers in wheelchairs may also choose to sit on the outside edge of any row. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on both the east and west sides of the commons.
will there be coffee?
Yes, coffee service will continue! Coffee will be served on carts in front of the school kitchen window before the 8:00 a.m. Sunday service and through the Bible class hour. If you would like to volunteer to help make and serve the coffee through the summer months, please contact the church office.
what if there is a medical emergency?
Worshippers should feel confident that we are prepared to assist with medical emergencies that might arise during worship. The Commons is equipped with an AED and there will be a wheelchair available at Door 9. The nearby school office is fully stocked with first aid supplies.