Building Status Update - Current as of 1/11/21

For the safety of our congregation and volunteers, Joy! continues to follow the Places of Worship Guidelines provided by Illinois Dept of Public Health (https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/places-worship-guidance).  We will continue to monitor the covid statistics and recommendations, keeping you updated on any changes to Joy! worship or building policies. 

The priority at Joy! Lutheran Church is congregational safety.  The Re-entry Task Force is working diligently to plan and prepare for a safe return to Joy!  In addition, Joy! will still provide a Livestream experience for people who need to stay at home or are in higher risk groups.  
​
We recognize that opinions vary on what guidelines should be in place. Amidst diversity of ideas, please exhibit a spirit of Christ-like patience and humility as we share the recommendations that we believe are wise. 

Joy! Phases for Return

JOY! PHASE 1: Stay At Home Order - Completed
JOY! PHASE 2: Stay At Home - Flatten The Curve - Completed
JOY! PHASE 3: Perfect The Tech - Completed
JOY! PHASE 4: Put the "Live" Back in Livestream - Completed
JOY! PHASE 5: Put Bodies Back in the Building - In Process
JOY! PHASE 6: Put MORE Bodies Back in the Building - Date TBD
​JOY! PHASE 7: Back to Normal - Date TBD

Joy! Phase 1: ​Stay at Home Order - Completed

(Initially implemented 3/13/20 through 6/5/20) 
  • Building closed except for essential staff performing essential tasks
  • Building Security Alarm is set to 24/7 
  • All building access schedules except essential staff are turned off
  • Pastor Mark recording from home; elements of worship are recording separately 
  • 10:30am livestream - prerecorded videos

Joy! Phase 2: ​Stay At Home - Flatten The Curve - Completed

(June 2020) 
  • Building closed except for essential staff performing essential tasks
  • Building Security Alarm is set to 24/7 
  • All building access schedules except essential staff are turned off
  • Pastor Mark recording from home with tech team; elements of worship are recording separately 
  • 10:30am livestream - prerecorded video
Procedures for OUTDOOR meetings - effective immediately
  • Groups of 10 or less are permitted
  • Keep at least a 6 foot distance between group members
  • Each group of 10 must be at least 25 feet away from other groups to practice social distancing
  • Face coverings must be worn
  • Each person must bring their own chair
  • Outdoor areas are available on a first come, first serve basis
  • ​Gatherings must be conducted on the south side of the building
  • No restroom usage—the building will remain closed 

Joy! Phase 3: ​Perfect The Tech - Completed 

(Initially implemented July 2020) 
  • Building closed except for essential staff performing essential tasks
  • Building Security Alarm is set to 24/7 
  • All building access schedules except essential staff are turned off
  • Pastor Mark recording from Joy! with tech team; elements of worship are recording separately 
  • 10:30am livestream - prerecorded videos
Procedures for OUTDOOR meetings - effective immediately
  • Groups of 50 or less are permitted
  • Keep at least a 6 foot distance between group members
  • Face coverings are encouraged for outdoor gatherings
  • Each person must bring their own chair
  • Outdoor areas are available on a first come, first serve basis
  • ​Gatherings must be conducted in the parking lot or on the south side of the building
  • No restroom usage—the building will remain closed 
  • Safety protocols in place**

Joy! Phase 4: Put the Live Back in Livestream - Completed ​

  • ​Building closed except for essential staff performing essential tasks
  • Building Security Alarm is set to 24/7 
  • All building access schedules except essential staff are turned off
  • 10:30am livestream - all elements of worship done live from Joy! (no videos)
  • 8am Sunday worship rehearsal with tech tests
  • No congregation present
  • Safety protocols in place **
  • Addition of Staff on August 16 and First Impressions Team on August 23

​Joy! Phase 5: Put Bodies Back in the Building - In Process

Implemented 9/13/20: Worship at Joy With Limited Congregation and Livestream
  • Safety protocols in place **
  • In-person worship begins and Livestream continues
  • Seating limited to 50 worshippers 
  • Congregation members must pre-register for worship and check in will be necessary
  • No coffee or treats will be available.
  • No Sunday morning Kids Adventure Klub, Sunday Small Groups, or Sunday Adult Classes
  • ​Modified communion, offering, and sharing of the peace practices.
  • Nursery available.

​Joy! Phase 6: Put MORE Bodies Back in the Building

(Date TBD) Worship at Joy With Expanded Congregation Size and Livestream
  • Same as Joy! Phase 5 with increased capacity up to 125 people at a service
  • Sunday morning in-person discipleship (KAK, Youth Groups, Adult Classes, Small Groups) - TBD​

​Joy! Phase 7: Back to Normal

(Date TBD) Worship at Joy With Full Congregation and Livestream
  • COVID-19 vaccine and treatment available
  • No limit on seating in the sanctuary. We're back to "normal" but will continue the livestream.

​STAY CONNECTED

​Join us Sunday mornings at 10:00 for a Zoom Virtual Coffee Gathering: Click here to join!

Location:

749 S. Hunt Club Rd.,

​Gurnee IL, 60031

847-362-4JOY (4569)
​
 Joy! intentionally welcomes and includes all people fully into the faith community, regardless of lifestyle, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, religious background/journey, physical or mental ability, education, socioeconomic or marital status, age, and political affiliation. 
©2025 Joy! Lutheran Church  I  Privacy Policy  I  Terms of Use