Abiding Presence Lutheran Church

Church Offices: 631-269-6454

School Office 631-269-4898

Ministers - The People of God

Pastor - The Reverend Robert Schoepflin

Pastoral Associate - The Reverend Dr. Toby L. Tobias

+Pastor Emeritus - The Reverend Raymond H. Birkel+

Pastor Emeritus - The Reverend Ronald W. Wickey

Seminary Fieldworker - Ms. Jean Dougherty

Deacon - Ms. Kathy Pucci

Deacon - Mr. Gavin Schwen

Organist and Director of Music - Dr. Thomas Zatorski

Soloist - Ms. Lisa Pecchio

Director of Youth and Christian Education - Ms. Karen Schifellite; ext. 10

Parish Secretary - Ms. Debra Nicholas; ext. 11

Preschool Director - Ms. Julia McLaughlin; ext. 23

Dear friends in Christ,

As we carefully plan for the reopening of our church building in a manner that protects all of us, the APLC re-opening committee and the Church Council have reviewed and discussed the recommendations and guidelines of the Metropolitan New York Synod, New York State, and the CDC. We conclude that APLC can resume church services inside the building with proper safety precautions. We will continue to livestream our services on YouTube each Sunday for those who feel more comfortable enjoying the service from home. In addition, we will continue to offer curbside communion at 11 am-12 noon on the first and third Sundays of each month.

We are pleased to announce that we will begin holding in-person inside church services on Monday evenings, at 7:30 pm for those who choose to attend. Initially we will hold inside worship on Monday evenings and then make a decision about when to begin holding inside worship on Sunday. As long as the weather allows, we will continue to hold outdoor worship each Sunday at 8 am.

Reopening: Below are the guidelines to ensure safe participation.

• The church can safely accommodate up to 45 people, depending upon family groupings. We ask you to respond to an email invite from Evite each week which will ask you to include the number of members in your party.

• When we reach our current maximum capacity, no more reservations will be accepted. You are encouraged to view the service on YouTube. And call the church office at 631-269-6454 (Ext 11) to have your name(s) placed on the list for the following week.

• If you have responded yes to the Evite but cannot make it, please decline the invitation by noon on Friday either on Evite or by calling the church office.

• If you are unable to sign up using the Evite invitation, you may call the church office by noon on Friday at 631-269-6454 (Ext 11). We will be checking phone messages regularly.

• All parishioners are required to wear their own masks as you leave your vehicle, gloves are optional (should you forget your mask, one will be provided for you).

• Once arriving at church your temperature will be taken using an infrared-thermometer and your name will be checked off the “guest” list by one of our greeters.

• You will then be seated by one of our ushers

• You will find an offering plate just inside the sanctuary or you can donate online here. Thank you for your continued support.

What steps have been taken to ensure the safety of our parishioners?

We have taken the following precautions to ensure the safety of all our members.

• Some pews have been blocked off to provide social distancing.

• Hand sanitizer will be available.

• All parishioners are required to wear masks (gloves are optional).

• There will be no singing, except for an ensemble and/or soloists.

• Hymnals cannot be used according to Synod guidance and single- use bulletins will be available for those unable to access the bulletin from their mobile device

• Six-foot social distancing guidelines must be followed.

• Prepackaged sets of bread and wine will be used for Communion.

• Restrooms will be open for one occupant at a time and will be cleaned after each use.

• Coffee hour is suspended at this time and parishioners will be asked to leave the building directly after the benediction and postlude.

• We will be using the sign-in sheets as a way of providing contact tracing to ensure the ongoing health of all.

• The doors to the church will be left open during the service to provide for a flow of air.

As a congregation that values and relies on our church community for both worship and social interaction, we realize that these rules and guidelines are starkly different from our normal celebratory worship service environment. However, we can celebrate together as a family inside our beautiful sanctuary, if we all maintain the recommended safety measures. Please remember that our live-streaming will continue on YouTube service here and our worship/Bible Study schedule is listed below.

If you or a member of your household has or thinks they might have COVID-19, it is important to stay home and away from other people. Staying away from others helps stop the spread of COVID-19.

If you have tested positive after having been to Abiding Presence Church, it is imperative that you contact the church at 631-269-6454 with this information.

Below is a list of websites that can provide more information regarding the reopening of churches and recommended safety precautions.

CDC: Guidelines for Community and Faith-Based organizations here.

Metropolitan New York Synod: CoronaVirus Resources here.

New York State: “What You Need To Know” here.

In Christ,

Pr. Schoepflin and the Re-opening Committee

Wednesday Bible Study

Wednesday, September 23 |10:30 am

Join via Zoom here.

Mass on the Lawn

Sunday, September 27 | 8:00 am

Limited to 50 guests

Reserved seating is required to attend this service.

Must respond to Evite to attend.

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday, September 27 |10:00 am

Join us via YouTube here.

Monday Evening In person Indoor Worship

Monday, September 28 | 7:30 pm

Limited to 45 guests

Reserved seating is required to attend this service.

Must respond to Evite to attend.

Taize Worship

Friday, October 2 | 7:00 pm

Men's Bible Study

Saturday, October 3 | 8:30 am

Contribute Here

At Abiding Presence, we depend on the generous support of members and friends for our ministry. While COVID-19 circumstances prevent our congregation from attending church, we'd like to let our members know that you can contribute through our online giving program. Visit this page for more information.

You can also choose to have your contribution sent directly from your bank as a one time, or a recurring contribution saving you time and postage. Simply add the congregation’s name and address on the “add payees” page of your online banking site, and your bank will send a check directly to Abiding Presence. As a benefit to the Church, it helps provide an even cash flow throughout the year helping the church more effectively and easily meet budget goals and manage expenses.

Thank you to those who have been mailing in their offering envelopes while we have not been able to meet for worship! It is greatly appreciated since our bills must still be paid during this time. We appreciate your faithful support of our Parish.

Abiding Presence Church Membership/Directory Update

In an effort to better serve our members and improve information flow especially during this time, we ask that you complete the Membership/Directory update form so that we are able to enhance our method of communication until we are once again able to be together as a congregation.

Download the Membership/Directory update form for 2020 here.

Completed forms can be mailed to the church office or emailed to nicholas.debbie@yahoo.com.

Abiding Presence Lutheran Church

A growing congregation. A loving community.

Gathered by Christ.

Growing in faith.

Sent to serve.

All are welcome!

Abiding Presence Lutheran Church is located in Fort Salonga, New York in the heart of beautiful Long Island.

We are a church of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Our church is a community of faith that shares a passion for making positive changes in our community and in the world. Our faith is built around a strong belief in God as made known to us in Jesus Christ. Through worship, service, and education, we practice our faith, grow in our relationship with God and experience God's grace in our lives.

We gladly welcome you to join our community of faith regardless of age, race, or status in life. If you are unfamiliar with our church we will greet you with a smile and be able to answer any questions you might have.

Please come and see! All are welcome!