Updated October 1, 2021: On Monday, September 27, the St. Louis County Department of Health issued a face covering mandate for all individuals age 5 and older while indoors in public spaces such as indoor worship and other gatherings at Chapel of the Cross. Though failure to do so places an individual in violation of local law, according to the mandate, St. Louis County does not require nor expect gathering places such as Chapel of the Cross to enforce this mandate on individuals. At this time, wearing a face covering is a St. Louis County requirement while indoors at Chapel, though your church is not an enforcement agency and will not remove people for non-compliance. In consideration of your brothers and sisters in Christ, we request that the entire Chapel family wear face coverings while this mandate is in effect. As we continue to worship and gather, may the Lord bless the proclamation of His Word, the growth and development of faith in His children, and the unity of the church here in this place and throughout the world.
Updated June 18, 2021: Beginning the weekend of May 16, following the recommendations from the CDC, Chapel lifted the mask mandate for those who are fully vaccinated. Per CDC guidelines, those who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks. For those wishing to continue to wear masks, even if vaccinated, you certainly are welcome to do so.
The bibles and hymnals have been returned to the pews. The Board of Elders are also looking forward to implementing a plan over time to return to “normal” in our worship and fellowship:
• The weekend of June 27, we will begin singing all hymns together and passing the offering plate. Ushers will also distribute bulletins and the record of fellowship will be returned to the pews.
• The weekend of July 11, we will begin continuous communion and will remove the barrier ropes from the pews.
• The weekend of July 25, lay readers will begin serving.
• The weekend of August 8, we will begin to receive communion at the altar and return the Greeting of Peace in the worship service.
Thank you for your patience and your flexibility as we navigate these changes.
Updated July 29, 2020: This week, St. Louis County announced several COVID-19 initiatives and restrictions that will take effect this Friday, July 31. The restrictions that affect gathering for worship and other events at Chapel of the Cross include capacity restrictions for gatherings decreasing from 50% to 25% of building capacity; and a limit of 50 people per gathering.
This will necessitate Chapel to ask our members and church attendees to once again pre-register for worship by calling the church office (314-741-3737) during regular office hours to ensure compliance with capacity regulations.
We will continue carefully sanitizing the building between services as well as continuing to follow County requirements involving the wearing of face masks and social distancing.
For those who are unable or unwilling to attend in-person worship yet, you may still watch or listen to the worship service online on Facebook, YouTube, KFUO radio on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m., or anytime through our website at chapelofthecross.org.
Updated July 6, 2020: It has been a joy to worship with you in person over the last five weekends. Certainly it has been different from our “pre-COVID” worship experience, but I am thankful for your flexibility and patience as we work to gather together for worship while keeping one another safe and healthy.
Last week St. Louis County announced that capacity restrictions for gatherings such as worship services were increasing from 25% to 50% of building capacity. This will allow Chapel of the Cross to no longer require registering for services in advance.
We are still carefully sanitizing the building between services and following County requirements involving the wearing of face masks and social distancing.
For those who are unable or unwilling to attend in-person worship yet, you may still watch or listen to the worship service online on Facebook, YouTube, KFUO radio on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m., or anytime through our website at chapelofthecross.org.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Pastor Laesch or the office at 314-741-3737.
Updated May 29, 2020: Resumption of church services to begin June 6/7. With the easing of St. Louis County restrictions for church gatherings, Chapel of the Cross will begin holding limited-number, socially-distanced worship services at the normal worship schedule: Saturday at 5 p.m.; Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Each worshiper will wear a mask and must pre-register by calling the church office (314-741-3737) during regular office hours to ensure compliance with capacity regulations. For detailed information, click here. Thank you!
Updated March 21, 2020: Click here to listen or watch services online (click on weekly episode title for more details and links to download the bulletin, give online, etc.).
Please click here to read a letter from Pastor Laesch regarding Chapel's response to COVID-19 and information about the temporary suspension of in-person worship services and church activities as we move things online. Check Chapel's website frequently for updated information and links to online worship services and events as this situation is changing constantly. If you are on Facebook, please also like and follow our Facebook page for news, messages, encouragement, and the occasional live hymn sing! Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these difficult times together. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).