From the Pastor’s heart
As I sit down to pen these words, I cannot help but share my excitement about, once again, coming together as the Body of Christ. While it’s been a blessing to connect by way of Zoom, it will be much better to be together in person (live!) with one another and look on the faces of the body of Christ as we come together in worship and praise. The Lord has kept us all safe and healthy as we put the first stage of the Corona Pandemic behind us. Many have already ventured out into the workforce and now we will venture into the house of the Lord. During this time of uncertainty, let us pray for one another, support one another, and love one another. Remember, God will be with us every step of the way. He will stick closer to us then a friend ever would (or could!). He will see us through this time of uncertainty. As David stated in Psalm 23 as he rose to face the giant on the battlefield, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.” God saw David through and gave him courage and victory, and He blessed David greatly. May our God do the same for us as we join together in worship on Sunday, May 31, 2020.
For His glory and His honor. May our cup runneth over.
Until He returns, God bless you -Pastor Carbaugh
A note from Mrs. Carol to the children and their parents:
I am looking forward to seeing all of our beautiful children in children’s church real soon! We had masks made for all the kids and they will be spaced apart with social distancing. We want to make sure we protect those who may be more vulnerable to infections, therefore I would encourage you to be talking to the kids about the need for keeping their masks on during children’s church. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call Mrs. Carol :).
COVID-19 Protocol
The documented manner that COVID-19 spreads in communities, and the uncertainty surrounding this novel virus, demand that our church exercise great caution as we open our doors for corporate worship. The protocol set forth below will remain in effect until further notice from the Pastor.
Sunday Morning Service:
- Any person experiencing a fever or any other common symptom of COVID-19 is asked to refrain from attending in person services. However, such member is encouraged to attend service via Zoom (and please notify the pastor and or deacons so we can pray and provide for any other need!)
- Sunday school, children’s services, and nursery are temporarily canceled.
- Sunday morning worship at the church building shall begin at 11:00 AM. Additionally, the service will be live streamed on zoom.
- Due to the limited access into the breezeway entrance and on the sidewalk, safe social distancing of no less than six feet is not achievable. Therefore, the sidewalk is limited to one person at a time. Please alternate with other members, ensuring that only one person is on the sidewalk and ramp entering/exiting the front entrance of the breezeway.
- The access door to the sanctuary from the breezeway shall remain open until the service starts. The pastor or designated deacon shall close the door at the beginning of service and reopen the door at the conclusion of the morning service. In order to limit potential exposure, all members are requested not to touch the door accessing the sanctuary from the breezeway.
- Due to the narrow entrance through the door accessing the sanctuary from the breezeway, only one person is allowed to enter/exit the door at a time. Please alternate with other persons when entering or exiting the door accessing the sanctuary from the breezeway.
- All persons entering the sanctuary are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering. If a congregant does not have a mask or face covering then please notify the pastor or deacons prior to the morning service, or the greeter positioned outside in the breezeway, and a mask shall be provided by the church as supply is available.
- All persons are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering for the entirety of the service.
- Once inside the sanctuary, all persons must exercise safe social distance of no less than six feet. The six-foot rule shall not apply to persons of the same family unit who live in the same household.
- Family units who live in the same household are encouraged to sit together in the sanctuary.
- Family units and/or persons shall seat themselves in the sanctuary with no less than six foot of space, in all directions, between themselves and any other person and/or other family unit sitting in the sanctuary.
- The offering plate will be positioned on the table directly inside the door accessing the sanctuary from the breezeway. All persons who want to give an offering may place their offering in the designated plate on their way into the sanctuary before service or on their way out of the sanctuary after service. Congregants may also give their offering online via PayPal.
- The restroom adjacent to the sanctuary shall be open for use during service. Church leadership request that all persons who use the bathroom to wipe down all touched surfaces in the bathroom before and after each individual use. There will be disinfecting wipes positioned in the bathroom for persons to use in compliance with this effort.
- Immediately following the closing prayer at the end of the service, all persons are requested to remain in their pew until dismissed by the Pastor and or deacon. The congregation will be dismissed by row beginning at the back of the sanctuary.
- After being dismissed, all persons are asked to leave the sanctuary and breezeway. Congregants who wish to fellowship are asked to do so in the parking lot.
- Church leadership encourages congregants to fellowship in the parking lot following service. However, please do so while maintaining proper social distancing of no less than six feet.
We understand that the above-mentioned protocol is lengthy and detailed. However, these provisions were developed after collaboration with other churches in our convention and prayerful consideration by our church leadership. While these measures do not guarantee to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we believe they promote wisdom, caution, and are in furtherance of love for our fellow brothers and sisters. Effective implementation of the protocol is a team effort for our church. Every congregant’s compliance will ensure that we have a controlled and safe environment to worship our Lord together. Please help us in this effort.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Pastor or deacon board member with any questions.