Covid Pandemic 2010 & 2021
When Covid 19 was declared a worldwide pandemic we knew things would be quickly changing. The state of Michigan declared a "shut down" Friday, March 13, 2020. The Food Pantry distribution was made quickly and people were told the Pantry would be closed until further notice. Sunday worship was cancelled. Schools and non-essential businesses closed.
The community needed the Food Pantry, it soon reopened with a younger set of volunteers. In partnership with the Inner City Youth Group, food was distributed several days each week. Sunday worship was the sermon posted on Facebook and Coffee Hour was on Zoom. By winter of 2021, we started to have monthly drive-in worship services in the parking lot. With vaccines available, we hoped to return to a more normal way of life.
This page is to keep the members and friends of Iroquois Ave. Christ Lutheran informed on how the
church has reacted, and may continue to react, to the pandemic in worship, service, fellowship and other ways. Check our Facebook page for the most recent updates.
Sunday, January 15, 2022
Jeff Ogonowski Ordinated
Congratulations and Blessings to Jeffery Ogonowski as he answered God's call and was ordinated at St. Philip's Lutheran in Trenton, Michigan. He was installed at St. Philip's as their full-time Pastor.
May his journey be long and fruitful.
Children's Christmas Pageant 2021
In 2020, the Children's Christmas Pageant
was held in the parking lot. In 2021,
we felt safe enough to move inside.
Masks were still worn.
After the Pageant, adults had an important congregational meeting. The children were entertained with Christmas cookie event.
Ah, to be a child again.
Special thanks to all the people,
children and adults, who helped
make this event possible.
Good-Bye and Congratulations to Vicar Jeff
Vicar Jeff has taken his first full time call at
St. Phillip's Lutheran in Trenton.
We wish him every blessing as he continues to serve Christ in a new home.
Jeff was ordinated and installed as Pastor at
St. Phillip's, January 15, 2022.
Sunday, December 3, 2021,
After a long period of study of study, Zeniyah demonstrated her understanding of our faith by
At the baptismal font, Vicar Jeff welcomed her into the church of Christ as confirmed adult member.
Family members and the congregation joined in the celebration.
In the Autumn, Inside Worship Returns
Chilly weather forced us back into the church for Sunday Worship. It was great to hear the full sound of the pipe organ and to see the stained glass windows, Masks are worn and people are safely distancing. Most of the members have been vaccinated.
Friday, October 15, 2021, the kids from Waldorf School joined us to pack toiletries in personal care kits for the ladies at Heartline House, run by Samaratis (formerly Lutheran Social Services of Michigan).
Sunday, October 17, 2021, The Detroit Free Press Marathon forced us to not have worship. Many attended different churches for another prospectives.
Friday Bible Study and a pre-worship Children's Bible Story Time have begun.
Halloween, the birthday of the Lutheran Church, brought tricker-treaters. The Black Panther, the Cowboy Preacher and others passed out full sized candy bars. The surrounding neighborhood, Historic Indian Village, also joined in the the spirit of the season.
Back to School Event Friday, August 20, 2021
In partnership with Inner City Youth Group, a back-to-school event was held. School supplies and other necessary things were given away while the Food Pantry provided groceries.
The kids are ready for school. We hope school this year will be uninterrupted by Covid closures. The students are ready to learn.
Pentecost & Confirmation May 23, 2021
A beautiful day and a beautiful gathering of members, old and young. It was a pleasure to gather on the lawn in front of the church.
After a course of confirmation classes, Delaney well prepared to deliver the sermon on this special day. She was than confirmed, by Vicar Jeff as a full adult member of the church.
Outside worship continued through out the summer. Shade trees protected us from the sun on the hottest day and rain seemed to miss us in 2021, the second Covid summer.
Holy Week & Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021
This has been a quiet year as the Covid pandemic continues. Many are still not vaccinated and the rate of virus transmission was very high in Detroit. Psalm Sunday was celebrated with in car worship in the parking lot, psalms were waved out of car windows. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday were remembered with carefully socially distanced worship inside the church. Easter needed more!
We had a festival service with some people worshiping in their cars, parked on the street, and many live in worship on the lawn. We were rewarded with a beautiful sunny day and heart felt cries of "Alleuluia"
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, Febuary 28, 2021 10:00am
This year the annual meeting was held online using Zoom. Members receive notice by US Mail and email. Several people reserved a space to attend live, at the church. A Zoom link was made available several days before the meeting. A lively discuss was held as we confirmed the proposed slate of elected officers and made plans for reopening the church building for live worship. Democracy continues at Iroquois Ave.Christ Lutheran Church.
Click image to see 2020 Annual Strategic Review & Planning Report
Soul Sunday
Sunday, February 14, 2021 10:00am
This is in African American History Month and we remember our past with Soul Sunday. Worship was in the parking lot, to protect us from the Covid virus pandemic. We listened to the sermon on our car radios.The weather was cold, about 15 degrees Fahrenheit and this kept many members at home. Vicar Jeff wore his warmest coat as he preached and distributed the Eucharist. At the end of the service, a HOT meal of Soul Food was distributed by the Inner City Youth Group.
Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday
January 17, 2021
It was a cold January morning when we gathered together to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. To stay safe from the Covid Virus, we sat seperately in warm cars in the church parking lot. A special radio transmitter was used to send the Vicar Jeff's sermon to our car radios. Holy Communion was safely served using pre-packed host and distributed using tongs. During a pandemic and with trouble in Washington DC, we were still able to gather safely and remember the life and works of Rev. Martin Luther King.
The Holy Eucharist during the time of Covid
