Galveston's Online Church Service
Our Path Forward
Returning To In Person Worship and Offering Virtual Worship
In Person worship will resume beginning Saturday, May 30th at 5:30 pm and Sunday May 31st at 10:00 am in the main sanctuary. The following safety practices:
- Everyone must sanitize their hands when entering the buildings. Hand sanitizing stations are present at all entrances.
- Everyone must practice social distancing. You may sit with those with whom you arrived – otherwise keep a social distance of six feet. Pews will be taped off to help maintain social distancing. And, tape will be placed in the main aisle to assist in practicing social distancing.
- Everyone must wear a mask/face covering. Masks will be worn the entire time one is in the building (except to temporarily be removed when receiving Holy Communion).
- The hard surfaces will be sanitized following worship gatherings.
These simple practices of mitigation are major players in preventing the spread of COVID-19. These simple practices will allow us to gather in person again. Please respectfully follow the above practices for the sake of all who gather.
Virtual Worship will continue to be offered every Sunday at 10:00 am. The online community continues to be of great value to us and we will continue to offer worship online going forward.
Deciding to attend in person or worship online:
Each person will need to decide for themselves what is best for them. The CDC recognizes that those over age 65 and those who have underlying health conditions may need to remain away from in person gatherings for some time. Please prayerfully consider what is best to you.
All of our online church videos show the bulletin in a split screen so that you can easily read, sing, and easily follow along! You may also request a prayer or donate online to help fund our worldwide ministry.
We also have recorded hymns and spiritual songs that you can watch, listen, and sing along with on our Music page!
Thank you for joining us virtually for Worship Service! Please share our website with others! Also, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Taking Faith Home
Click Here To Download This Week's Taking Faith Home which contains Four Key faith practices: Caring Conversations, Devotions, Service Ideas, and Rituals/Traditions you can practice in your home to help increase your faith! Includes a weekly prayer, Bible verse, mealtime prayer, a blessing, suggested Bible readings, and a Hymn.
Watch Our Galveston Online Worship Service!
Click To Download The Church Bulletin For Today
Sunflowers and Wheat Fields
Enjoy listening to this song written by Catherine Rollin and performed by Kelsey Scheuerman, our Instrumental Music Director:
When Twilight Comes
This elegant hymn is a call for God’s help in our daily living. (CC - Lyrics are provided in your Closed Captions) Solo by Kelsey Scheuerman accompanied by Don Frank Hermanson on the organ.
Click For More Music!
Worship at First Lutheran Church of Galveston!
5:30pm Saturdays
10:00am Sundays
Join Us On This Page Each Sunday Morning At 10am
2415 Winnie, Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 762-8477
Welcome to First Lutheran! Let’s start at the beginning-- God Loves You! We celebrate God’s good news for us and for all people – so we worship, pray, study, share, serve beyond self and seek to be generous people. All because of God’s love.
Whether you have questions or doubts (we all have questions and doubts) – we give thanks that you are here and join us in exploring real life together.
We hope to see you at worship and look forward to meeting you!
~ Reverend Richard Rhoades Pastor, First Lutheran Church in Galveston
Faith and Fear
Living Faithfully in a Time of Pandemic
Breathe! Let’s start there. Take a deep breath and relax. Social Media, the news and a trip to the grocery store is enough to stress anyone out. And, now that there is a presumptive case from our county and the President has declared a national state of emergency, we have reason to take things seriously. So, once again. Breathe.
God in God’s wisdom formed us – including giving us brains and intelligence. Now is a time to set aside fear and panic to use our brains – and to collectively act and react with faith, knowledge and love.
We hear from the prophet Isaiah:
Do not fear, for I am with you.
Do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
God repetitively in the scriptures calls us to trust in God and not fall into fear. But God also expects us to use our brains…to act in trust and love. We live such faith in a balance—trust that God is with us and will help us – act wisely in real life.
Now is such a time. God is with us. And, God will help us. And, God has given us knowledge worthy of our hearing and following:
- Wash your hands.
- Avoid hand shaking and hugging.
- Practice “social distancing” – meaning, keep more space between you and others.
- Sanitize door handles, phones, etc.
- If you are not well – stay home.
- If you have a compromised immune system – stay home.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors by phone.
- Pray for those with the virus, the medical workers battling to cure it, those affected financially and for the entire world.
Doing preventative practices is a form of loving our neighbor. Loving our neighbor includes watching out for their best interest. This is not just about keeping ourselves well. And, if we stay well, then resources can go to those in need and we can make ourselves available to serve them – dropping off groceries (including toilet paper if it is ever back in stock), and tending things they may not be up to doing (mowing, etc.)
Should you attend worship? If you are well and want to attend, then yes. Practice “social distancing” – keep extra space between those around you. Receive Holy Communion and prepare yourself for the opportunity of serving others.
Breath! Stay calm! Breathe! God is with you!
Peace,
Pastor Rhoades
Learn With Us!
Join us in exploring and learning more about who God is and who we aere as God's people. Check out one of our offerings.
Thank You!
Worship With Us!
Join us at God's invitation to Holy Communion in worship every Saturday and Sunday.
Continue The Tradition!
Join us in our worship and mission that began here in 1850. With deep historic roots and a vibrant vision of the future we live now. Click here to learn more.
Thank You!
Make Donations Easy by Giving with Your Smartphone!
You can support First Lutheran Church from anywhere at any time even if you forget to bring cash or your checkbook. Simply use the "GivePlus Mobile" app to donatewith your smartphone.
Here's how:
• Download the FREE app on your smartphone.
• Make one-time or recurring donations using your debit/credit card or checking/savings account.
• Log in or donate as a guest.
• Securely and conveniently manage donations,using Touch ID/Fingerprint, PIN or password.
So, search your phone's app store for "GiveP/us Mobile" or contact the church office at 409-762-8477 for help!
Thank you!
