Dear Church Family,
On Monday evening, Randy, Jonathan, and Barry, met with Chris, Wesley, and I to discuss the process of reopening according to the recommendations of our governor and state health officials. We are all so excited to have the opportunity of meeting again together after such a long period of time. We remain aware, however, that the danger posed by the COVID 19 virus is still very real and we feel heavily the responsibility of protecting the congregation from any harm—that’s what a shepherd does! For that reason, as we begin again to worship together, we are asking that we do so according to the following instructions.
Worship Times
There will be two worship times: 8:30 am and 10:30 am. We ask those of the
older generations (about 50 and up) to attend the early service. The building will have been sanitized and not used until you arrive. This will give you the greatest possible protection from infection.
Between the services, a team will wipe down pews and door handles to ensure safety.
Normally, the second service will be a repeat of the first. This Sunday, however, seniors will be recognized during the second service and Wesley
will be preaching during that service. But on normal Sundays the services
will be more or less identical.
Entering, Exiting, and Seating
We want to be conscientious about physical distancing. For this reason, we
will enter the building using the front, side double doors, coming into the sanctuary from the back. We will exit the building after the service through the back, side, double doors of the drive through. This allows us to come in and go out without breaking the 6-foot distancing regulation.
In the sanctuary the pews will be marked and ushers will assist us as we learn the routine. We will be sitting as families and only every other pew
will be occupied.
We would ask that you arrive in time to find your place without everyone
trying to crowd in at the last minute. Those attending the 8:30 service will have use of the restrooms in the foyer and those attending the 10:30 service will use the restrooms by the fellowship hall.
At the entrance and the exit there will be large containers of hand sanitizer and we ask you to use them as you come and go.
Shaking Hands, Hugging, and Congregating
Of course, we will maintain our six-foot distance and will greet each other with a “holy wave” instead of a “holy kiss”, or handshake as the case may be. If you want to talk with someone after the service, we would ask you do that after you exit the building. It is much safer in the open air.
Children and Nursery
Children are invited to stay with their parents during the worship services. We will not begin immediately with nursery or children’s church. If your child is struggling please feel free to go out with them at any time.
What About Masks?
We all have seen the instructions concerning masks. All the health professionals highly recommend that we wear masks—not so much for our protection but for those around us. We would, for that reason, ask each of you to wear a mask. Once in your seat, you can remove the mask but for coming and going it is the safest thing we can do. (I’ll be wearing one except when I preach.)
If you feel insecure about coming back to the church in person, are sick,
or have been exposed to the virus, please take part in the online service.
I hope you’ll check the website for a short video in which Jonathan and I
walk through these instructions with you.
Can you still rejoice in our first worship service together? I sure hope so. We want to glorify him in all we do. Continue to pray for his protection and our faithfulness in everything!
God Bless You,
Bro. Rick
P.S.: If you have any questions please call one of us or your deacon.