Page 2 - My Story. Our Story. God's Story.

A Congregation's Challenge: First

Lutheran Church in the Face of a Pandemic

Our collective experience of the Covid-19 pandemic was a tumultuous journey for
the members of First Lutheran Church, the Lincoln community and the world at

large. The congregation harbored great expectations for 2020, envisioning a dual
celebration commemorating 150 years as a congregation and the long awaited

unveiling of the renovated sanctuary and fully accessible church building. The
inability to mark both milestones proved to be a significant challenge. It felt as

though the ground was pulled from beneath our feet.

On March 13, 2020, in compliance with the directives from state and local
authorities, all in-person worship services and gatherings had to be canceled until
what was initially expected to be early April. The initial optimism regarding the

church's temporary closure was overshadowed by the swift spread of Covid-19 and
the increasing death toll. Unbeknownst to us then, the brief closure would extend

into a prolonged one.

In August 2020, a Risk Dial developed by the Lancaster County Health Department
offered guidance to our community regarding responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Bob Rauner, a member of First Lutheran Church and a physician, was
acknowledged locally and nationally for sharing his public health expertise. The
wider Lincoln community benefitted from his informative YouTube videos on Covid-

19, dispersing precise and timely information alongside recommendations for
navigating the pandemic.

This period of time was challenging for many, marked by feelings of loneliness,
uncertainty, disconnection and loss. The farewell to three staff members, Pastor Dan

Warnes, Deacon Sunni Richardson and Pastor Justin Eller, who received calls in
2020, was bittersweet at First Lutheran and added to the collective feeling of loss.

Drive-through send-offs were arranged to bid a safe goodbye and to convey our
expressions of gratitude and support.