18/03/2020
I hope you are all well and staying safe during this national crisis. We serve an awesome God who has given us the incredible responsibility to steward our lives and influence on others well. I’m sure many of you have seen the news this week that the President is now calling for no gatherings of more than 10 people over the next 15 days in order to prevent COVID-19 from becoming the same level of crisis here as in other countries. As Christ-followers we are commanded in Scripture to submit to governmental authorities as long as we aren’t in violation of God’s laws in order to do so, and nowhere in Scripture are we told our gatherings as the Church need to be in large groups! We also want to do our part to care for the most vulnerable—the elderly, those with pre-existing conditions, and those who don’t yet know Jesus whose eternity is at risk. We are working to comply with these requirements while we worship Jesus with our lives and pray for this world. This poses a very important question for our faith communities and church gatherings: What will that look like?
Mid-week services (Wednesday evening, 6:30pm):
For the next two Wednesdays (March 18rd & 25th), there will be no GIG (children’s programming) or AGAPE (youth group). The bus will not be running, as it would be virtually impossible to practice social distancing in that space. There will still be adult Bible study in the sanctuary, but we ask that each household do their best to leave 3-6ft between themselves and members of other households.
Sunday services (Sunday School, 9:30am -Morning Worship, 10:30am- Evening Worship, 6:30pm):
For the next two Sundays (March 22nd & 29th), we have made some alterations to our ministry structure. For Sunday school, classes will meet in their individual classrooms at 9:30am. Each class will be able to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and collect a missionary offering prior to beginning their lesson (in place of our traditional preliminaries in the sanctuary).
For morning worship, children will go straight to the fellowship hall for children’s church. If there are more than 10 children, this group will be split into 2 groups, with the other gathering in the basement. Kids will be encouraged to refrain from touching one another, and to keep space between themselves and others. Adults will meet in the sanctuary and be encouraged to do the same. At the conclusion of services, children will remain in their classrooms until parents, guardians, or bus driver comes to collect them.
For Sunday evenings, there will be no children/teen ministry. Adults will meet in the sanctuary and again be encouraged to spread out within the space.
Additionally, there will be tissues available, and trashcans located around the sanctuary and vestibule for easy disposal. We have placed hand sanitizer (60% or greater alcohol content) at all entrances for use when entering or leaving the space, and people are encouraged and welcome to wash their hands often. If you or your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, please stay home and contact your doctor:
Fever (100 degrees F or greater)
Coughing
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Close contact with someone who is displaying symptoms or has been diagnosed with COVID-19
We will be providing regular updates about the temporary structure of our services as the situation progresses. Most importantly, we invite you to join us in praying for our country and world during this difficult time. As it says in 2 Timothy 1:7, we are not given a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. Now is the time to love our communities and be the hands and feet of Jesus in a way that honors God and protects those most vulnerable. If there is anything that you or your family needs (such as groceries, supplies, specific prayers, etc.), please contact Jennifer Warren at 812.677.5007 or [email protected].
