From the Pastor's Heart,

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It’s been several weeks since the Governor issued the Stay at Home order due to the Coronavirus.  As I’ve said before, I never dreamed of anything like this.  As in all trials we can focus on the bad things: lost jobs for some, shortages of supplies for many, restriction of our favorite activities, not meeting physically as a church family and so on.  Yet we can choose to focus on the good that has taken place, mainly that the Word of God has not been stopped.  As in many churches we have been live streaming our services with some wonderful results.  The number of folks watching our services online and through the website has been outstanding.  More people have been checking our Facebook page and watching the whole service.  What a blessing!  Even though we are currently working through some technical issues (video, sound, static) we are getting the message of hope out to both a lost world that needs to hear the Gospel message and to Christians who need to know that “God’s Got This.”  We are now using the new cameras and video system to live stream services to our website.  Pray that our live streaming will continue to improve each week as we learn through on-the-job training.  

    In the mean time, we are looking forward to what we are calling the “REBOOT” which is the reopening of our building for Sunday morning services.  The deacons and I have been planning how we are to accomplish this wonderful task.  There are a few precautions, subject to change as necessary that we will need to take to open up safely.  Our reopening will be in compliance with the government’s phased reopening guidelines and will be designed to guard the safety of our members and the testimony of our church.

Let me emphasize that as we open the church, if anyone is concerned for their health or the health of vulnerable members of your household, please stay home.  We understand the serious nature of this virus and you will not be judged for being cautious.  There will be plenty of opportunity to gather together later, so please each one come only when you are comfortable; until then just attend online.

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Now that the Governor has announced that we are in Phase One, churches may operate under strict social distancing guidelines.  As such, in reopening we will adopt the following measures:  

• • The church will be open for Sunday morning services only starting May 17th.  We will continue to live stream both Sunday morning and mid-week services.

  • Vulnerable individuals should stay home.  This includes anyone over age 65 and those with underlying health issues (high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, asthma, obesity and those with compromised immune systems).

  • Anyone who is sick, or has any symptoms of fever or cough, STAY HOME.

  • No physical contact entering or departing the church.  Everyone must keep at least a six foot distance from others.

  • Front doors will be propped open before and after the services.

  • Wearing masks is optional.

  • Seating will be spaced by blocking off every other pew and people sitting at least six feet apart.  Members of the same household can sit together. 

  • Handshaking/greeting time is postponed until further notice.

  • The Fellowship Hall, kitchen, back classrooms and bathrooms will remain closed.

  • The front bathrooms have hot water for washing hands. 

  • There will be no Nursery or Children’s Church during this time.

  • There will be no Sunday School or Sunday Evening service until further notice.

  • There will be no Lord’s Supper until further notice.

  • Offering plates will be in the back of the sanctuary where you may place offerings.

  • Until further notice the following are suspended: Choir, Youth activities, VBS, special events and fellowships, cook-offs, weddings, funerals, revivals, guest music groups.                                                                                                                     

Following social distancing requirements we can seat approximately 50 people in the sanctuary.  Therefore we anticipate needing two Sunday morning services; one from 9:30-10:30 and the second from 11-12, to allow time to clean between services.  With that in mind, and considering all of the precautions outlined above, please consider (1) if you are ready to return to church or will wait awhile AND (2) which of the two Sunday morning services you would prefer to attend.  Please complete and return the survey at the end of this email so we may plan for seating in the sanctuary.  

I know this list might seem overwhelming, but please understand that we want to err on the side of safety to keep our folks healthy.  It would be a terrible thing for someone to contract the virus because we didn’t take the proper precautions.  Please understand that we are trying to do our best to keep everyone healthy while serving the Lord and getting out the message of hope.

On the positive side, I want to thank everyone for your faithful giving.  The offerings have been steady and the church has been able to help several families during this time. I have seen folks coming together, helping one another financially and with calls, food, gas, prayers and other types of support in the past few weeks. It is wonderful to see the family of God coming together as one. 

Please be in prayer for our staff as we continue to work to keep things going.  I especially want to thank our soloists who have come in to record special music: Darlene, Kevin & Jeri, Rebecca, and Steve.   Thank you also to our support staff who make it possible for us to have services and to live stream them: Kevin & Jeri, Marie, Joe & Lisa, Skip & Pam, and Sue.   Special thanks to several folks who have been working behind the scenes: Sheryl for the beautiful decorations, Al for the electrical work for the cameras, Gary for the computer repairs, and Dave for setting up the new live streaming cameras and equipment.  And thank you, Jacqueline as always, for all your diligence in keeping our finances in line.  

Remember, we will get through this because God’s Got This.  As the Word says,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding.
 In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6

God Bless and love,
PK

*   *  *  SURVEY *  *  *

Keeping in mind the precautions outlined above and considering your personal and family situation, please indicate your intentions about church attendance and return the email so we can plan for adequate seating in the sanctuary.

Please fill out this quick survey and click Submit at the end 

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